In January ACRI researcher Dr Gregoire Larue received the best paper award from the US Transportation Research Board (TRB) Standing Committee on Highway/Rail Grade Crossings for his presentation at the TRB Annual Meeting in Washington DC entitled “Getting the Attention of Drivers Back on Passive Railway Level Crossings: An Evaluation of Advanced Flashing Lights”.

 This paper detailed work undertaken by Gregoire and his QUT colleagues through ACRI’s program of collaborative research. It evaluated human factor responses using eye tracking technology of vehicle activated signage installed in New Zealand to advise drivers of the presence of the passive crossing and that trains may at times be approaching .