Highway-Rail Grade Crossing

101

Ahmer Nizam
Railroad Liaison
Washington State Department of Transportation

Dan MacDonald, P.E.

Manager Public Projects
BNSF Railway Company
Disclaimer
The information contained in this
presentation is intended to provide
participants with a general introduction to
the issues and concepts associated with
highway-rail grade crossings.

Each crossing is unique and appropriate

engineering treatments should be
determined on a case-by-case basis.
 Overview

• Grade Crossing
Terminology

• Components of Grade
Crossings

• Responsibility and
Coordination at Grade
Crossings

• Design Considerations

• Warning Systems
Introductions
Name

Agency/Company

Job Function

What do you hope to learn from this

presentation?
 Background
Approximately 148,000 public grade
crossings in the U.S.*

Gates: 25%
Flashers: 17%
Other Active: 1%
Gates
Crossbucks: 44%
Stop: 8% Flashers
Other: 5% other active
Crossbucks
Stop
Other

Source: FRA
*94,600 private
1980-2005
Year collisions Deaths Injuries
1981 9,295 728 3,293

1985 6,919 582 2,687

1990 5,713 698 2,407

1995 4,633 579 1,894

2000 3,502 425 1,219

2005 3,010 355 970

Source: FRA
Highway-rail grade crossing collisions occur
approximately every 2 hours in the U.S. (FRA)

•A motorist is 40 times more likely to be killed if

involved in a vehicle-train crash than in any other
type of highway collision. (FHWA)

•About 50% of crashes at public grade crossings

happen where active warning devices (gates, lights,
bells) exist (FRA).

•Over 60% of all accidents involve crossings where

train speeds are under 40 MPH (FRA).

•20% of all accidents at grade crossings involve

cars running into trains (FRA).
What Is A Highway-Rail Grade
Crossing?
Grade Crossing Terminology
Consistent terminology is crucial
due to the various parties and
disciplines involved with grade
crossing safety.

Know your terminology:

{ MUTCD
{ State Sources
{ AASHTO
 Misconceptions

{ Trains can stop quickly

{ Trains run on predictable
schedules
{ You can always see or hear a
train approaching
{ Passive crossings mean
negligible train traffic
{ Large Object Illusion (Judging
the speed and distance of
approaching train)
Who is involved?

{ Railroad Companies

{ Road Authority

{ State Regulatory Authority

{ Federal Agencies (FRA-FHWA)

What is the Regulatory Process in your
State?

{ Extent of Jurisdiction

{ Formal Process
z Petition-Order-Hearing

{ Laws, rules, and policies governing

crossings
Components of Highway-Rail Grade
Crossings

Highway Railroad

{ Driver { Train
{ Vehicle { Track
{ Roadway
{ Pedestrian
Driver

{ Responsible for obeying traffic laws,

rules, and warning devices.

{ Drivers require certain information

to make safe decisions.
Situations faced by drivers occur in
three zones:

{ Approach Zone
z Recognizes that a crossing is ahead.
z Begins to search for train or signal.
z Decides the proper course of action.
{ Non-recovery Zone
z Point where a decision to Stop must be
executed.
{ Hazard Zone
z Area where stopped or approaching motor
vehicles can collide with approaching or
stopped trains.
Vehicles

Crossing design and review must

consider the character of highway
traffic:
z Types of vehicles (cars, trucks,
motorcycles, school buses, etc.)

z Cargo (Hazardous Materials)

Roadway
{ Type (Rural v. Urban; arterial, collector,
local)

{ Average Daily Traffic

{ Geometric Features

{ Crossing Surface

{ Nearby intersections
 Type of Road and ADT

{ Functional
Classification
determines certain
design criteria
(geometry, traffic
control)
Geometric Features

{ Number of Lanes

{ Horizontal and Vertical Alignment

{ Crossings Angle
 Crossing Surface

What are your

State’s
requirements?
Crossing Surfaces

Flangeways: Space between running rail

and guard rail or timber in road crossing to
provide clearance for passage of wheel
flanges.

Standard: 3” wide, 2” deep

Nearby Intersections
Pedestrians

{ Crossing
Surfaces

{ High Pedestrian
Volume Areas

{ Impacts to
Preemption
 Railroads

Source: AAR
Applies to Class 1 (>$289.4 Million)
 Trains

{ Average Freight =
12 million lbs.
(WOLI)

{ Has the right-of-way

at grade crossings
Track – 4 basic components

Rail, Ties, Ballast, & Sub-grade

{ Designed to guide railway traffic

and sufficiently disperse weight of
train.

{ Track is flexible (compression and

rebound)
Track
Track Class Determines Speed Limit
Excepted Track – 10 mph, no passenger trains
Class 1 – Freight 10/Passenger 15
Class 2 – Freight 25/Passenger 30
Class 3 – Freight 40/Passenger 60
Class 4 – Freight 60/Passenger 80
Class 5 – Freight 80/Passenger 90
Class 6 – 110 mph
Class 7 – 125 (AMTRAK NE Corridor)
Class 8 – 160 mph (a small lengths of the NE corridor
up to 150 – between Providence and Boston)
Class 9 – 200 mph (currently no class 9)
Type of Track
{ Main line

{ Branch line

{ Spurs/Lead

{ Sidings

*Classification is determined by each railroad

Questions?
BREAK
Warning Systems

Passive - Signs, Markings, and

other devices that do not indicate
the approach or presence of a train.

Active – Devices such as flashing

lights and gates that activate or
change aspect upon the approach or
presence of a train.
 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD)
{ National Standard for
Uniformity

{ Guidance on Design and

Placement of Traffic
Control Devices

{ States adopt MUTCD

with or without
supplements
Function of Warning Devices (MUTCD)

{ Fulfill a need

{ Command attention

{ Convey a clear, simple meaning

{ Command respect from road users

{ Give adequate time for proper response

Function of RR Warning devices
Crossbucks
# Tracks sign
Advance Warning Signs
Pavement Markings
Do Not Stop On Tracks
Exempt – Track Out of Service
Other Supplemental Signs
Flashing Light Signals
Gates
Median Separators
 CROSSBUCK

{ Identifies the
location where
roadway crosses
tracks
 Multiple Tracks Sign
{ Advises regarding the
extent of the crossing
surface.

{ Conveys the possibility

of multiple trains
arriving at the crossing
simultaneously.
 Advance Warning Signs
{ Informs roadway users
that they are about to
encounter a railroad at-
grade crossing.

{ Especially important at
crossings where visual
obstacles and/or
roadway geometry
obscure motorists’ view
of the crossing ahead.
Advance Warning Signs
W10-2,3, and 4
MUTCD - Whenever
there is less than 100
feet of space available
between the tracks
and a parallel
roadway, a W10-
2,3,or 4 shall be
installed on each
approach of the
parallel highway.
Advance Warning Sign Placement
Location
may be
modified by
State’s
MUTCD
supplement
 Pavement Markings
{ Provides advance
warning of
crossing.

{ See MUTCD and

State requirements
for application.

MUTCD
 Stop Line
Specifies location where
vehicles must stop prior to
tracks.

MUTCD
 YIELD/STOP Signs

Figure:
FHWA
 EXEMPT, TRACKS OUT OF SERVICE

{ Application is
based on State
regulation.

{ Intent is to relieve
drivers of certain
vehicles of
mandatory
stopping
requirement

Figures: MUTCD
 DO NOT STOP ON TRACKS
MUTCD - Whenever
engineering
judgment determines
that the potential for
stopping on tracks is
high, a DO NOT STOP
ON TRACKS sign
should be considered.

Figure:
MUTCD
 Other Signs

Figures: MUTCD
USDOT No. and Emergency Phone
No.

Figure: MUTCD
Illumination, Reflectorization

{ Better nighttime visibility of

crossing and train.

{ MUTCD requires all signs to be

reflectorized – in the case of the
CROSSBUCK, the post is to include
a reflective strip.
Active Devices
MUTCD: “Traffic signals may be used
instead of flashing-light signals to
control road users at industrial
highway-rail grade crossings and other
placed where train movements are very
slow, such as switching operations.”
 Train Detection Circuitry

Railroad selects appropriate detection circuitry

based on operational characteristics at crossing
DC, AC/DC

{ Rails conduct energy from power

source to relay

{ Insulated joints define circuit

boundaries

{ Train shunts the circuit and

activates signals
Motion Detection
{ Detects direction of train movement
within approach circuit

{ Deactivates signals if train within

approach circuit is stopped or moving
away from the crossing

{ Reactivates if stopped train within

approach circuit moves towards crossing
Constant Warning
{ Capable of detecting train speed

{ Speed is compared with distance from the

crossing to predict arrival

{ Signals are activated at a predetermined

time

{ Behaves like Motion Detection when

trains stop within approach circuit
 Warning Times
{ CFR (Section 49, Part 234.225) – “In no event
shall (an active railroad warning system) provide
less than 20 seconds of warning time for the
normal operation of through trains before the
grade crossing is occupied by rail traffic.”

{ Typical = 30-35 seconds

{ 49 CFR 234: If a gate is present, it must be in the

horizontal position at least 5 seconds before train
arrives at crossing.

{ Warning times in the 40-50 range may contribute

to driver impatience and non-compliance (FHWA).
FRA Oversight

{ Title 49, Part 234 – Rules for Grade

Crossing Signal Systems

{ Failsafe (Signals activate during

component failures or abnormal
conditions in the system.

{ False Activation v. Activation Failure

Active Advance Warning
Four Quadrant Gates and Median
Separators
Installation and Maintenance
Responsibility for Warning Devices

Generally, the RR is responsible for

Crossbucks, flashing light signals,
and gate mechanisms

Highway Authority is responsible for

all advance warning signals and
markings, and other supplemental
signs
 Design and Review
What do roadway users require in
order to cross tracks safely?

{ Sight Distance

{ Geometric Characteristics

{ Selection of Warning Devices

{ Diagnostic Reviews
That they are about to encounter a
railway
Is a train occupying or approaching the
crossing?
Is it safe to cross the tracks prior to the
arrival of an approaching train?
3 Types of Sight Distance

{ Ahead to the crossing

{ Down the tracks approaching the

crossing (Sight Triangle)

{ Down the tracks at the crossing

 Ahead to the Crossing
{ Tells motorists that
they are about to
encounter a crossing,
and to prepare for
the possibility of
having to stop.

{ Advance Warning is
especially important
if this sight distance
is inadequate.
 Sight Triangle
{ Driver approaching
crossing needs to be
able to see an
approaching train in
sufficient time to stop
15’ before the near rail.

{ Appropriate sight
distance is based on
roadway and Train
speed.

{ Especially important at
passive crossings

Exhibit: WSDOT Design Manual

 Down the tracks at the crossing
{ Driver stopped at crossing
must be able to see far
enough down the track to
determine if sufficient time
exists to cross safely.

{ Depends on train speed and

the acceleration capability of
the "design” vehicle.

{ Especially important at all

crossings without gates.

Figure: WSDOT Design Manual

Sight Distance

* From WSDOT Design Manual – consult your State’s

design requirements.
 Geometric Characteristics

{ Alignment and Profile

{ Crossing Angle

{ Nearby Roadway Intersections

Geometrics - General

“The horizontal and vertical

geometrics of a highway
approaching a railroad grade
crossing should be constructed in a
manner that does not divert driver
attention to roadway conditions.”

AASHTO – Geometric Design of Highways and

Streets
Roadway Curves on the Approach

AASHTO - “To the extent practical,

crossings should not be located on
either highway or railway curves.”

{ Impacts sight distance.

{ May divert attention away from
looking for train/warning devices.
{ Issues from track superelevation.
 Crossing Angle
{ Highway should
crossing tracks as
close to 90-degrees
as possible:
{ Enhances driver’s
view of tracks.
{ Better sight distance.
{ Issues with
motorcycles, bicycles,
wheelchairs.
Profile – Approach Grades

Crossing should be as level as

possible from standpoint of:
z Sight Distance
z Rideability
z Braking distance
z Acceleration
z Low Clearance Vehicles
High Profile (Humped) Crossings
“Crossings should be at the same plane
as the top of rails for two feet outside of
each rail”

“The Surface of the highway should not

be more than 3” higher or lower* from
the top of the nearest rail at a point 30’
from the rails …”

AASHTO
Nearby Roadway Intersections
Fox River Grove, IL (10/25/95)

{ Short queuing

{ Insufficient
Clearance interval

{ Lack of
coordination
between RR and
Road Authority
MUTCD
“If a highway-rail grade crossing is
equipped with a flashing-light signal
system, and is located within 200 feet of
an intersection controlled by a traffic
control signal, the traffic control signal
should be provided with preemption …”

{ Preemption should also be considered at

intersections further than 200 feet from a
grade crossing if traffic flow is such that
vehicles queues may extend back over
the tracks
Preemption Considerations
How long it will take to clear
vehicles off the tracks prior to the
arrival of a train?

{ Must consider Storage space, traffic

signal intervals, traffic volumes,
queue lengths and dissipation rates,
RR warning times, pedestrian
clearance times.
Simultaneous v. Advance preemption

{ Simultaneous – Notification of an
approaching train is forwarded to the
highway traffic signal controller and
railroad active warning devices at the
same time.

{ Advance Preemption – Notification of an

approaching train is forwarded to the
highway traffic signal controller in
advance of the activation of the railroad
warning devices.
Other Issues
 Related Signs and markings

Figures: MUTCD
Pre-signals

MUTCD – “Supplemental
Highway traffic signal operated
as part of the highway
intersection traffic signals,
located in a position that
controls traffic approaching the
highway-rail grade crossing..”

Where the highway intersection

is less than 50 ft from the
highway-rail crossing (75 ft for
a roadway regularly used by
multi-unit vehicles), pre-signals
should be considered.
Pre-signal

Figure from: USDOT Guidance on the Use of Traffic Control

Devices at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings.
Questions?
BREAK
Selection of Warning Devices
Involves:

{ Road Authority
{ Railroad
{ Regulatory Authority

23 CFR 646 – When Federal Funds are

used, federal regulations must be
followed.
Selection of Warning Devices
* Recall “what roadway users need to know”

• If there is crossing ahead;

• Is a train approaching or occupying the crossing?
• Is it safe to crossing the tracks prior to the arrival
of the train?

Selection of warning devices includes an

assessment of whether the roadway user
has the information needed to adequately
answer these questions
Review Checklist (Washington)
{ Number of roadway lanes and tracks;
{ Crossing angle;
{ Approach grades (humped? Slippery
conditions);
{ Approach curves on road/railway;
{ Adequacy of the three sight distances;
{ Information on nearby roadway
Intersections or traffic signals
Review Checklist
{ Average daily road and rail traffic;
{ Road and railway speeds;
{ Accident History and documented near
hits;
{ Use of the crossing by:
z Buses
z Trucks
z Bike/pedestrians
z Hazmat Transporters
z Passenger Trains
Guidance
{ USDOT, Railroad-Highway Grade
Crossing Handbook

{ USDOT, MUTCD

{ USDOT Technical Working Group,

Guidance on the Use of Traffic
Control Devices at Highway-Rail
Grade Crossings
Diagnostic Team Review
Multidisciplinary team,
including RR, road
authority, and
regulatory authority,
intended to review
crossing safety from
all relevant
perspectives and form
recommendation for
improving safety
When are Diagnostic Teams Typically
Convened?
{ Federal/State grant allocation

{ Proposed/Imminent changes to physical or

operating characteristics

{ Complaints/Requests for safety evaluations

(railroad, local agencies, school districts, citizens)

{ Recommended by routine inspections

{ Quiet Zone proposals

Other Important Issues

{ Pedestrian and Bicycle Issues

{ Crossing Closures
{ Quiet Zones
{ Recent Developments with Stop and
Yield Signs
Pedestrian Issues
Railroad Trespassing Year Fatalities
2005 485
2004 482
2003 500
2002 540
2001 511
2000 463
1999 479
1998 536
1997 533
1996 472
Trespass Prevention
{ Education, Engineering, Enforcement

{ Appropriate physical barriers (fences)

{ Grade separated pedestrian crossings

{ Designated pedestrian grade crossing

 Pedestrian

z Specialized
treatment may be
appropriate at high
pedestrian areas:
stations, Safeco
Field, etc. (fencing,
Warning Devices)
Safeco Field
Barriers and Channelization
Bicycles - Angle

Figures: FHWA
Bicycles Continued …
{ Grades
{ Warning
{ Physical
Barriers

Escondido Creek
channel path (photo
by Peter Lai, CPUC)
Grade Crossing Closures
National Policy: Eliminate unneeded and
redundant crossings

At-grade crossings should be limited to

those where a need can be demonstrated
and the need outweighs the hazards of
keeping the crossing open.

What are your State’s policies and

procedures on crossing closures?
Crossing closures – Major Factors

{ Availability of alternate routes

{ Impacts to Emergency Response
{ Impacts to traffic circulation and
Levels of Service
{ Impacts to planned development
Quiet Zones

{ What are they?

{ 49 CFR Part 222

 Discussion
{ MUTCD (Chapters 8 and 10)

{ USDOT Railroad Highway Grade Crossing Handbook

{ USDOT Guidance on Traffic Control Devices at Highway

Rail Grade Crossings

{ TTI - Guide for Traffic Signal Preemption Near Railroad

Grade Crossings

{ AASHTO – Geometric Design of Highways and Streets

{ AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering