2008 Mid-States Highway Rail Grade Crossing Safety Conference

Previous Manual was 2nd Edition, 1986 Publication

Before Widespread Adoption of Light Rail Technology

Before FRA Quiet Zone RegulationBefore New Web-Based SystemsSignificant New Guidance

DocumentsPre-Fox River Grove, Illinois Metra CollisionUSDOT Technical Working Group ITE RP Preemption of Traffic Signals Near Railroad

Crossings

Update on Federal Programs, Safety Initiatives & Court Cases

Preemption of Traffic Signals Near Railroad Crossings

Use of Pre-Signals & Exclusion Zone Striping Passive Devices – Use of Stop and Yield

Signs at Grade Crossings Summary of Quiet Zone Procedures Description of Use of Wayside Horns Update to Sight Distance Tables;

clarification of application & addition of Pedestrian Sight Distance

Updates to FRA Grade Crossing Inventory procedures and Accident Prediction Model

MUTCD 2003 Light Rail Transit Safety Treatments (TCRP

Reports 17 & 69)

Good summary of history of federal grade crossing safety programs

Includes information on ISTEA & SAFTEA-LU

Headlights & Auxiliary Lighting Reflectorization of Freight Rolling

Stock FHWA guidance on use of STOP and

YIELD signs at passive crossings Train Horns & Quiet Zones Summary of Court Cases

CSX v. EasterwoodNorfolk Southern v. Shanklin

Extensive preemption sectionReferences ITE Recommended

Practice, AREMA, MUTCD as well as other material

TXDOT form is included in Appendix

Pre-Signal Ahead of Crossing Pre-Signal Ahead on Cantilever

Pre-Signal Beyond Crossing Queue Cutter Signal

Guidance for use also provided in Handbook: Use of YIELD

is the default choice

Use of STOP based upon engineering study

OverviewRequirement to Sound the

Locomotive HornCreation of Quiet ZonesMaintenance of Pre-Rule Quiet

ZonesCreation of New Quiet ZonesLength of Quiet ZonesSupplementary and Alternative

Safety Measures

Describes use in the Quiet Zone Section

Describes functionality in Warning Device Section

MUTCD Part 8 and Part 10 applications described

Updated sight distance tables Clearing Sight Distance for

pedestrians was added Application and clarification

added

Updated Inventory Instructions Detailed Discussion of USDOT Accident Prediction

Model

List of safety issues paired with possible solutions

Recommended motor vehicle treatments including use of active supplemental devices vs. gated or non-gated crossings: Traffic Signal Active NO LEFT/RIGHT TURN sign Train Icon

Examples of pedestrian treatments Z crossings & bedstead barriers Second train coming signs Swing gates Channelization Gate placement options

Use of LEDsFour quadrant gatesUse of channelization with gatesBarrier gatesWayside horn systemsSecond train coming signs

Standard treatment shown in MUTCD 2003

Example from TX DOT of alternative placement to avoid wheel wear

Example from IL DOT of keep clear diagonal striping placement

Jurisdiction for crossing closure by state indicating whether state agency / commission or local jurisdiction is responsible

Information on closure programs including criteria for selecting closure candidates and other factors to consider when closing a crossing

Corridor approach including closure and safety improvements

Use of STOP and YIELD signs (FHWA Memo, 2006)

Incorporates recommendations from Guidance on Traffic Control Devices at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings (US DOT Technical Working Group, 2002)

Cost-effectiveness of evaluation of alternative countermeasures (Transport Canada, 2002)

GradeDec software & web reference (FRA, 2002)

Updated statisticsCollisionsCollisions vs. Type of Traffic Control DeviceCollisions vs. Vehicle Type / Pedestrian

Example Private Crossings Policy (WV) included as appendix