The majority of the collisions at grade crossings occurred at flashing-light-controlled grade crossings. Understanding drivers’ behaviors and visual performances in the process of approaching the crossings is the foundation of improving crossing safety. This study aims at utilizing driving simulation and eye tracking systems to investigate the efficacy of improved traffic signs and pavement markings (PSM) at flashing-light-controlled grade crossings. The improved signs and markings were modeled in a driving simulation system and tested with a series of flashing light trigger time (FLTT) ranging from 2 s to 6 s with 1 s interval increment. Foggy conditions and drivers’ genders and vocations were considered in experiment design. Thirty-six fully-licensed drivers between 30 and 48 years participated in the experiment. Several eye-movement and behavioral measures were adopted as reflections of the subjects’ performances, including the first fixation time on signs and signals and distance to stop line, total fixation duration, compliance rate, stop position, average speed at the stop line, maximum deceleration rate and brake response time. Results showed that compared with traditional grade crossings signs and pavement markings, drivers could perceive signs timelier and fixate on the flashing-light signal earlier in PSM, especially in the scenarios of earlier FLTTs. The improvement in fixation performance and sign design contributed to a higher stop compliance rate. Importantly, it was found that drivers would hesitate to decide whether to stop or cross facing with flashing red lights, which is similar to the dilemma zone of roadway intersections. Drivers were more likely to fall into the dilemma zones when FLTT was <4 s. When FLTT was 2 s, it was particularly difficult to stop in front of the stop line. Moreover, under a foggy condition, drivers had a difficulty in searching signs and had a longer brake response time compared with a clear condition. For the characteristics of drivers, male drivers had longer fixation duration on signs than females. Professional drivers had a higher maximum deceleration rate compared with non-professional drivers. Above findings implied that improved traffic signs and markings would have a potential to improve traffic safety and deserve a field implementation in the future.

平交道口的大部分碰撞发生在闪光灯控制的平交道口处。了解驾驶员在接近路口过程中的行为和视觉表现是提高路口安全性的基础。本研究旨在利用驾驶模拟和眼动追踪系统来研究改进的交通标志和路面标记 (PSM) 在闪光灯控制的平交道口的功效。在驾驶模拟系统中对改进的标志和标记进行建模，并使用一系列从 2 s 到 6 s 以 1 s 间隔增量的闪光触发时间 (FLTT) 进行测试。在实验设计中考虑了有雾的条件和驾驶员的性别和职业。36 名年龄在 30 至 48 岁之间的完全有执照的司机参加了该实验。采用多项眼动和行为测量作为受试者表现的反映，包括对标志和信号的首次注视时间和到停止线的距离、总注视持续时间、依从率、停止位置、在停止线的平均速度、最大减速率和制动响应时间。结果表明，与传统的十字路口标志和人行道标志相比，驾驶员在 PSM 中可以更及时地感知标志并更早地注意到闪光灯信号，尤其是在较早的 FLTT 场景中。固定性能和标志设计的改进有助于提高停止依从率。重要的是，发现驾驶员会犹豫决定是否停车或面对闪烁的红灯，这类似于道路交叉口的困境区域。当 FLTT <4 s 时，驾驶员更有可能陷入困境。当 FLTT 为 2 s 时，在停车线前停车尤为困难。此外，在有雾的情况下，与晴朗的情况相比，驾驶员难以寻找标志并且制动响应时间更长。就司机的特点而言，男性司机对标志的注视时间长于女性。与非专业驾驶员相比，专业驾驶员的最大减速率更高。上述调查结果表明，改进后的交通标志和标记有可能提高交通安全，值得在未来进行现场实施。与清晰的条件相比，驾驶员难以搜索标志并且制动响应时间更长。就司机的特点而言，男性司机对标志的注视时间长于女性。与非专业驾驶员相比，专业驾驶员的最大减速率更高。上述调查结果表明，改进后的交通标志和标记有可能提高交通安全，值得在未来进行现场实施。与清晰的条件相比，驾驶员难以搜索标志并且制动响应时间更长。就司机的特点而言，男性司机对标志的注视时间长于女性。与非专业驾驶员相比，专业驾驶员的最大减速率更高。上述调查结果表明，改进后的交通标志和标记有可能提高交通安全，值得在未来进行现场实施。