• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.385-390
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• 2005

In Korea, about 60 percent of railroad accidents are associated with highway-rail grade crossings numbering 1,657 nationwide, which the railroad system operates. To reduce the number of accidents, the authority formulated methods to improve or eliminate grade crossings. However, the improvement programs have made progress in slow time due to the institute inertia and the lack of funds from the municipal government, which shares the cost of improvement of grade crossings. Thus, this study analyses the institute system of the grade crossings, proposes modifications, and suggests financing methods to improve the grade crossings and to lower the number of accidents. Presently, the grade crossings safety perspective is directed towards road conditions and so a new perspective, which includes safety from the train perspective and to finance in review of railway system and to allocate the cost between the central government and the municipal governments. is discussed.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.52-57
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• 2003

This study suggests several ways to improve the railroad facilities in the urban areas so as to maintain the urban railroad facilities and minimize their adverse impact on the roads around the facilities. Environmental problems such as noise and vibration can be minimized by constructing soundproofing walls and improving railway and train systems. To reduce the traffic congestion at the railroad crossings, current at-grade crossings should be changed to separated crossings. Moreover, the criteria by where railroad crossings are located should be revised. In the long term, the land use development for the railroad station and the surrounding areas needs to be changed. Several case studies of Japan's and France's major cities show the potential of successfully integrating the development of railroad facilities and their surrounding areas. In addition, there is a need to .consider institutional aspects, to improve the railroad facilities in the urban areas and to allow the integrated development of the railroad facilities and the surrounding areas.