Scholarly record
APPLICATION OF BIM TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY CROSSINGS THROUGH THE IDENTIFICATION OF RISK-CRITICAL PARAMETER COMBINATIONS
Abstract
This paper addresses the safety of railway crossings as critical elements of transport infrastructure where rail and road traffic interact. The current design approach is primarily based on normative assessment of individual parameters, such as road geometry and sight conditions, typically evaluated in isolation. However, this approach does not sufficiently capture the interactions between parameters, which significantly influence the overall level of safety. The aim of the paper is to identify inappropriate combinations of design parameters in a selected railway crossing and to highlight their impact on operational safety. The proposed approach is based on parametric thinking and employs Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a tool for data integration and support of design evaluation. Emphasis is placed on the relationships between parameters and their combined effect on the resulting design. The methodology is demonstrated on a model case study, where a specific configuration of parameters leading to reduced safety is identified. The results indicate that even when individual normative requirements are fulfilled, their inappropriate combination may result in potentially hazardous situations. The contribution of the paper lies in emphasizing the need to assess railway crossings as complex systems rather than as a set of isolated parameters, and in identifying factors that may lead to safety deficiencies in design.
Publication details
References12
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