Comprehensive Hazard Assessment of Railway–Road Level Crossings Considering the Cognitive Factor

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to develop a diagnostic system for assessing the hazard level of railway level crossings based on a multifactor risk analysis within a structured set of criteria. To achieve this purpose, domestic and international regulatory documents governing the design and operation of at-grade railway–road crossings were reviewed, and their operational and economic characteristics were assessed. Methodology. The proposed methodology is aimed at increasing the level of detail and the informativeness of hazard assessment at the stage of practical application. Its diagnostic value lies in providing a basis for planning targeted, site-specific safety measures intended to eliminate particular hazard factors. It is shown that incorporating the cognitive factor enables more accurate ranking of level crossings and forms a rationale for substantiating targeted measures to improve traffic safety. Finding. The proposed comprehensive hazard assessment methodology, which incorporates the cognitive factor, was tested on a sample of railway level crossings. Based on aggregated tabular results, two crossings were classified as high-risk, one as elevated-risk, and one as moderate-risk, according to the assessment indicator structure (MSZ, KD, cognitive hazard coefficient, and integrated hazard index). Comparative analysis confirmed that inclusion of the cognitive factor significantly affects the integrated hazard index and enables identification of facilities with increased risk under moderate traffic dynamics, taking into account the influence of drivers’ cognitive dissonance and cognitive load. The high-risk class is associated with information-environment overload and contradictory signals as factors that contribute to hazardous situations. The results justify prioritizing measures such as improving signalling logic, unifying signal indications, increasing conspicuity, and reducing visual noise, and indicate that these measures can be implemented without substantial capital expenditure. Originality. For the first time, a multifactor methodology for assessing cognitive hazard at railway level crossings has been developed, based on integrating driver psychophysiological factors (cognitive load, cognitive dissonance, fatigue) into the overall risk calculation system. Unlike existing regulatory approaches, the proposed methodology makes it possible to diagnose specific causes of cognitive risk and to determine the priority of targeted measures aimed at reducing the probability of driver error. Practical value. In situations where the physical parameters of a railway level crossing (number of tracks, spatial layout, pavement type, presence and type of signalling) are technically or economically difficult to change, the methodology provides a tool for optimizing the information environment within the existing infrastructure. This makes it possible to address traffic-safety aspects that are not covered by current regulatory documents.