Signs, flashing lights and crossing gates are placed at many crossings to warn auto drivers that a train is approaching. At times, drivers choose to ignore these warnings and drive around closed crossing gates. This behavior is both dangerous and illegal. Ongoing campaigns educate the public about the dangers associated with driving around closed crossing gates. In addition, law enforcement officials issue traffic tickets to violators they catch.
Median separators can also discourage drivers from going around closed crossing gates.
Median separators typically consist of a curb mounted on the roadway centerline. This curb down the center of the roadway also often has vertical plastic posts attached. Drivers who wish to cross the centerline to drive around closed crossing gates would have to drive over the curb and mow down the plastic posts. These median separators are designed to be substantial enough to deter drivers from crossing, but are also designed to minimize damage to cars that cross. The purpose of the median separator study was to test one type of median separator equipment to see if the device would deter drivers from going around lowered gates.