Work out level crossing wait time instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Only vehicles arriving while the barriers are down are delayed, and on average they wait half the closure time. Multiplying that by the probability of arriving during a closure gives the mean delay across all vehicles, and the queue at reopening is the arrival rate times the closure duration.
Crossing delay
closed share = trains/h x closure time / 3600; average wait = (closure / 2) x closed share
Rail results are planning estimates only. Verify against the infrastructure manager's rule book, approved braking curves and applicable railway safety regulations.
Because most vehicles arrive when the crossing is open and are not delayed at all. The average is spread across every vehicle.
When closed share and queue length grow enough that the queue no longer clears between trains — the standard trigger for a bridge or underpass.