2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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CHALLENGES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR DEALING WITH SHORT STAGE CROSSINGS

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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SHORT STAGE CROSSINGS WITHIN QUIET ZONES

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Definition: • A short storage crossing is where the

clear storage distance between the crossing and the highway intersection stop line is not sufficient to safely store a design vehicle (typically the longest legal truck combination).

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Federal Highway Administration:

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Federal Highway Administration: The higher occurrence of collisions at these intersections is due in part to a short storage area for vehicles waiting to move through the crossing and the intersection. If the intersection is signalized or if the approach from the crossing is controlled by a STOP sign, queues may develop across the crossing, leading to the possibility of a vehicle becoming “trapped” on the crossing.

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Federal Highway Administration: If feasible, where there is an intersection in close proximity to the crossing, increase the storage space ( defined as the “clear storage distance? In MUTCD) between the tracks and the intersection highway. If on a direct route to a truck terminal, also, consider giving right of way to the critical movement through control measures.

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Federal Railroad Administration (FRA):

• Issued Final Rule (Train Horn Rule) 49 CFR Parts 222 and 229 Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway- Rail Grade Crossings, August 2006

What are the requirements for short stage crossings in a quiet zone?

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Federal Railroad Administration (FRA):

NOTHING!

So how should we deal with short stage crossings within quiet zones?

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): Appendix F to Part 222 – Diagnostic Team Considerations: The diagnostic team, using crossing safety management principles, should evaluate conditions at a grade crossing to make determinations and recommendations concerning safety needs at that crossing

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): Appendix F to Part 222 – Diagnostic Team Considerations: …evaluate a crossing from many perspectives and can make recommendations as to what safety measures authorized by this part might be utilized to compensate for the silencing of the train horn.

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Diagnostic Team Considerations: When in the field the diagnostic team should take note of the physical characteristics of each crossing, including the following item: 5. Note the distance to the nearest intersection or traffic signal on each approach (if within 500 feet or so of the crossing or if the signal or intersection is determined to have a potential impact on highway traffic at the crossing because of queuing or other special problems.

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Diagnostic Team Considerations: When in the field the diagnostic team should take note of the physical characteristics of each crossing, including the following item: 6. If a roadway that runs parallel to the railroad tracks is within 100 feet of the railroad tracks when it crosses the tracks, the appropriate advance warning signs should be posted as shown on MUTCD.

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Solution Alternatives: Signing

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Solution Alternatives: • Stop Line re-location

• Convert Street to One-Way

• Truck Restrictions

• Left Turn Restriction

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Solution Alternatives: Intersection Controls

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Solution Alternatives: Intersection Controls

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Solution Alternatives: Traffic Signal

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Solution Alternatives: Traffic Signal

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Solution Alternatives: Street Relocation

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Solution Alternatives: Street Relocation

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Success Story

Left Turn Restriction With

Acceleration Lane

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Minton Road, Saginaw, TX 14 Crashes Since 1981 7 Crashes Mar – Nov 2007

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Interim Solution:

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Permanent Solution: Traffic Signal

Since Improvements: One crash in five plus years

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Summary: • Train Horn Rule has no requirement to

address short stage crossings

• Diagnostic Team Responsibility includes evaluation of adjacent intersections

• Short Stage Crossings are a safety concern within quiet zones

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Conclusions:

The team should evaluate the overall safety at each crossing.

Quiet Zone diagnostic team inspection and recommendations should not be limited to constant warning, gates/lights, medians, and signs.

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Questions?

Tim Oster Project Manager – Preemption Services 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX 76109 817-886-8247 toster@ctcinc.com

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING; SAFE CLEARANCE – FINAL RULE EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 25, 2013

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Highway-Rail Grade Crossing; Safe Clearance – Final Rule

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 25, 2013

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Purpose of the Rule Amend regulations to prohibit CMV or HAZMAT drivers from entering onto a HRGC unless there is sufficient space to drive completely through without stopping. References: • PHMSA - 49 CFR Part 177 • FMCSA – 49 CFR Part 392

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Response to Legislation • Section 112 of the Hazardous Materials

Transportation Act of 1994 • Amended by Section 32509 of MAP-21 • The intent is to reduce highway-rail

grade crossing crashes • PHMSA & FMCSR are simply carrying

out the statutory mandate • NPRM published 1/28/2011

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Commercial Motor Vehicle • GVW Rating or GVW > 10,000 lbs • Designed or used to transport more

than 8 passengers including the driver for compensation

• Designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers including the driver NOT for compensation

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Federal Civil Penalties • Up to $2,750 for driver violations • Up to $11,000 for employers who allow

or require drivers to violate the rule • CDL Holders must be disqualified for at

least: – 60 days for 1st offense – 120 days for 2nd offense in a 3-yr period – 1 year for 3rd offense in a 3-yr period

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Regulatory Impact Assessment August, 2013 • Determined 21,208 crossings were of

primary interest for storage distance risk (14.5% of all public at-grade crossings)

• 4,168 crashes occurred at these crossings (1998-2005) – 880 coded as truck or truck-trailer – 10 coded as bus/school bus

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Regulatory Impact Assessment August, 2013 • After further analysis of crash reports it

was estimated that: – 122 crashes possibly tied to short storage

distance – 32 crashes definitely or probably storage

related • 24 states have storage space laws similar

or identical to the rule • 32% reduction in crash rate for states with

storage space laws

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Comments on Rule COMMENT: Recommendation to mark and provide signs for 21,208 crossings with limited storage distance. RESPONSE: FMCSA/PHMSA lack authority to require highway authorities to install markings and signage. FHWA has been advised of this comment.

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Comments on Rule COMMENT: Logistical challenges in implementing and enforcing the rule. RESPONSE: FMCSA/PHMSA did not believe there was sufficient evidence to hold up the rule. Recommended improved diligence in route planning.

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Comments on Rule COMMENT: Inadequate access to grade crossing information. RESPONSE: FMCSA/PHMSA agree that grade crossing information should be made available to GPS navigation system providers. They also cited the release of the FRA Grade Crossing Locator App.

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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Comments on Rule COMMENT: Exception when no reasonable alternatives are available. RESPONSE: FMCSA/PHMSA recommend planning and coordination including the possibility of using flagmen.

2013 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference

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States with Similar Laws

ALASKA ALABAMA CALIFORNIA COLORADO CONNECTICUT

FLORIDA GEORGIA IOWA ILLINOIS KANSAS

MARYLAND MICHIGAN MINNESOTA MISSOURI NO CAROLINA

NEW JERSEY NEW YORK OHIO OKLAHOMA OREGON

TENNESSEE UTAH VERMONT WEST VIRGINIA

What has been your State’s experience with this type of law?