A Study of Railroad Crossing Accidents: A Case Study of a Train–Bus Collision at the Khlong Khwaeng Klan Railroad Crossing

Abstract

Abstract: This article aims to examine the causes of accidents at railroad crossings and
to propose innovative measures for their prevention. The study employed online interviews with subject-matter experts focusing on the rail–bus collision at the Khlong Khwaeng Klancrossing.
A case-study research strategy was used with purposive sample sizing to achieve data saturation; convenience sampling was also applied. The expert interviews highlighted several contributory factors to the accident: “carelessness and loss of attentiveness,” “unauthorized creation
of informal (‘illegal’) crossings by local residents,” “insufficient sight distance often obstructed by roadside trees, objects, or parked vehicles,” “driver distraction due to in-vehicle activities leading to a failure to notice an approaching train,” and “the absence of an active warning system
at the crossing.” In summary, the article indicates that the accident primarily stemmed from driver negligence. Accordingly, the team proposes an innovative, automatic railroad crossing warning and protection system: when a train enters the approach zone of a railroad crossing, the system would automatically activate barriers to prevent any road vehicles from crossing until the train has passed, and it is safe to proceed.