the dot national crossing inventory file...establishing a national database 1972-1974 the aar,...

The DOT National CrossingThe DOT National CrossingInventory FileInventory File

Eastern Region Highway-RailCrossing Safety Conference

Albany, New YorkOctober 2 - 4, 2007

Thomas P. WollFederal Railroad Administration

Office of Safety

DOT National HighwayDOT National Highway--RailRailCrossing InventoryCrossing Inventory

Background, Purpose and GoalsHow it Works & RequirementsNumbering and Filing for New CrossingsResponsibilities for UpdatingUpdating for States and Railroads, and for Public

Authorities (QZ)New Importance for Homeland SecurityHow to get Data –PCAPS, WBAPS, GX, etc.Outreach Effort to add Data Fields & Changes

BackgroundBackground

Original Inventory Started January 1, 1975Contains both Current and Historical RecordsCurrently, 2.2 Million Records in the File 1975 had 365,000 at-grade Crossings 2007 has 233,000 at-grade Crossings Process 80K to 100K Updates per Year Submittals Received from 50 States and 650

Railroads

Establishing a National DatabaseEstablishing a National Database

1972-1974 The AAR, ASLRA, States, FHWA,NHTSA & FRA developed:–the DOT/AAR Crossing Inventory Numbering System,–the Operating Procedures and Database

FRA is the Custodian for the States and Railroadsfor their National Inventory Data File

This is YOUR (States & Railroads) Inventory.FRA only updates it with YOUR data.

Purpose & GoalsPurpose & Goals 1973 Federal-Aid Highway Act (Section 203)

requires each State to maintain a StateInventory of all crossings

And maintain the National Inventory– States may maintain just National File– Act also requires a Priority List of Improvements

Purpose is to Provide Information to Governmentsand Railroads for Safety Improvement

Merge Data with Accident Files to plan Safetyimprovements –Accident Prediction Model

2001 - Support Homeland Security and the Inventoryis critical for supporting ENS (1-800) Program

Delivering Results:Delivering Results:Collisions, Fatalities and ExposureCollisions, Fatalities and Exposure

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

30007

6

78

80

82

84

86

88

90

92

94

96

98

00

02

04

06

Rail (million train miles) X Hwy Volume (trillion hwy miles)

Collisions X 10

Fatalities

(= quadrillion) = Exposure

ExposureExposure

How it worksHow it worksCurrently, it is a Voluntary Program (but not for long)Every Crossing shall have a DOT Crossing Number

–Six (6) digits followed by an alphabetical character–Number is like a “street-name sign”

Coincides with Inventory Data in the File– Information on Location, Classification, Physical

Characteristics, Traffic Control Devices, Railroad data,Highway data.

Posted on both sides of the Crossing–Responsibility for posting is the Railroad–Aluminum motorcycle license-plate size–Alternative posting on ENS Sign

Inventory FormInventory Form

RequirementsRequirements (for it to work)(for it to work)

Every Railroad & State Agency needs to maintainan Inventory of all Crossings

Each Crossing must be assigned a DOT InventoryNumber which is posted at the Crossing

–Private Company Rail Yards, Docks, etc.–Railroad Yards can have just one (1) Number

DOT Number is Required on Accident Reports–“So, inventory ALL of your crossings now, and there

will not be a problem later.”

Initial Numbering and FilingInitial Numbering and Filing

Responsibility of the Operating RailroadPublic at-grade: Complete Parts I –IV and

forward to the State to complete Part VPrivate: Complete Part I and send to FRA

–Send copy to State

FRA only accepts Inventory Updatesfrom the State Inventory Contacts or

the Railroad Inventory Contacts

Responsibility for UpdatingResponsibility for Updating

Responsibility is both State and Railroad- Whenever any characteristics change- As a minimum, review and update data at

least every three years to keep File currentResponsibility for QZ is the Public Authority

–For a Pre-Rule Quiet Zone–To create a New Quiet Zone–Must provide updated crossing inventory data

prior to use of the QZ Calculator

How to Update for PublicHow to Update for PublicAuthoritiesAuthorities ––a 3 Step Processa 3 Step Process

(1) Use Crossing Inventory Form F-6180.71- Or Current Inventory Record printout- Reference FRA’s Website for a copy of the

Form, Instructions and Contact List (Stateand Railroad), and other information.

(2) Perform a Site Survey –obtain updated data- Contact the Railroad and State for correct

current information(3) Forward Updated Form/Record to the State

Inventory Contact to verify and send to FRA

Send Hardcopy by emailSend Hardcopy by email

Hardcopy Updates can be sent via email

Use pdf Format

Send to:

[email protected]

Inaccurate DataInaccurate Data ––““MismatchesMismatches””A Big ProblemA Big Problem

Example of Accident Data for 2002-2003 151 Accident Reports that have NO Inventory Record 290 have different Warning Devices (active/passive)

40 were Closed at time of Accident 19 were Grade Separated 11 were in different States 143 were in different Counties

Railroad Accident Reporting Officers Need of Verifythe Accident Reports with the National Inventory FileBEFORE Filing, and make any necessary corrections.

New Importance of InventoryNew Importance of Inventorysince September 11since September 11thth

HOMELAND SECURITYHOMELAND SECURITY Private Crossings must be included for 911 Centers.Data Files are downloaded from National File

–Need Accurate DataCorrect Crossing Location and OwnershipCorrect Emergency Railroad Contact

How can a Railroad be contacted about a Security Breech?Where am I ? - Crossing Number identifies LocationWhat Railroad ? - Which Railroad owns this Crossing ?Who do I contact ? - What is the telephone number

to report a Problem ?

Sign for State of TexasSign for State of TexasPosted on Signal MastPosted on Signal Mast

InstalledInstalled ““SEDASEDA--COGCOG””ENS SignsENS Signs

Public CrossingPublic Crossing Private CrossingPrivate Crossing

Sign PostedSign Postedwhere there is no Postwhere there is no Post

Availability of CrossingAvailability of CrossingInventory DataInventory Data

How to get Crossing Inventory Data from FRA?How to get Crossing Inventory Data from FRA?

Current Availability of DataCurrent Availability of Data

Website (.dbf file)http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/officeofsafety/

–Current and Historical RecordsGX32 (.mdb Access file)

–obtain directly from our Contractor CITIWBAPS (Web Based Accident Prediction

System)PCAPS (Personal Computer Accident

Prediction System)

Website Inventory DataWebsite Inventory DataFRA Home PageFRA Home Page -- www.fra.dot.govwww.fra.dot.gov

Website Inventory DataWebsite Inventory DataSafety Data Home PageSafety Data Home Page

Website Inventory DataWebsite Inventory Data

Website Inventory DataWebsite Inventory Data ––Download DataDownload Data


Website (.dbf file)GX32 (.mdb Access file)

–obtain directly from our Contractor CITI

WBAPS (Web Based AccidentPrediction System)

PCAPS (Personal Computer AccidentPrediction System)

GX32 Software PackageGX32 Software Package


Website (.dbf file)GX32 (.mdb Access file)WBAPS (Web Based Accident

Prediction System)PCAPS (Personal Computer Accident

Prediction System)

WBAPSWBAPSWWebeb BBasedased AAccidentccident PPredictionrediction SSystemystem

Basically the same as PCAPSProvides a Ranking of Crossings by the

highest Risk of Predicted AccidentsBased on fixed Inventory Characteristics and

5 Years of Accident Data2 Versions of Accident Data

(1) Fixed 5 Years of “Annual”Data(2) Floating 60 Months of “Cyclic”Data

WBAPSWBAPSAccident Prediction ModelAccident Prediction Model

WBAPS (continued)WBAPS (continued)

WBAPSWBAPS ––Ranked ListRanked List


Website (.dbf file)GX32 (.mdb Access file)WBAPS (Web Based Accident

Prediction System)PCAPS (Personal Computer Accident

Prediction System)

PCAPSPCAPSPPersonalersonal CComputeromputer AAccidentccident PPredictionrediction SSystemystem

Basically the same as WBAPS

Allows for Corridor Analysis

Allows to play “what if”games- built in calculator

What is coming?What is coming?

New Inventory Form Additional Data Elements Revised File Structure New Instructions Legislation making the

Inventory Mandatory

Four OUTREACH MEETINGSFour OUTREACH MEETINGS20012001--20022002

““A Dialogue to Identify and Explore NewA Dialogue to Identify and Explore NewIdeas and Ways for Future ImprovementIdeas and Ways for Future Improvement””

Dallas, TX, November 8, 2001Washington, DC, March 5, 2002Chicago, IL May 7, 2002Los Angeles, CA June 25, 2002

History of Outreach EffortHistory of Outreach EffortNov 2001 to June 2002 - Four Outreach Meetings Sept 1, 2006 –Contractor Analyzes Suggested ChangesDec 15, 2006 –Prepared Report Categorizing

Changes into Three Groups: (1) Accepted,(2) Rejected, (3) Open for Additional Discussion

Dec 20, 2006 –Report emailed to States and RailroadsRequesting Review and Comment

Jan 2007 –Resent Report to States and Railroads February 2007 –Contractor telephoned all States and

Railroads again Requesting Review and CommentMarch 15, 2007 –Final Comments and Responses

were ReceivedApril 15, 2007 –Comments Compiled for Final Review

by FRA to Determine Planned Changes

Responses ReceivedResponses Received

Received 30 Responsesfrom 23 States and 6 Railroads

Railroads Responding: BNSF, CN, CSX, LIRR, NS,UP

States Responding: AL, AZ, CA, DE, GA (2), IL,IO, KS, LA, MD, MA, MN, MS, NJ, NY,OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, VA, WV, WI

Some responses provided many good suggestionsthat are being considered and incorporated.

Next StepsNext Steps

Complete Determination of Accepted and RejectedChanges

Prepare List of Changes and Proposed copy ofNew Inventory Form

Disseminate to State and Railroad InventoryContacts, and put on FRA’s Website for finalComment

Review and Consider any final Comments Prepare final New Form Prepare New Instructions and Field Specifications Publish and set Effective Date for Implementation

Probable Accepted RevisionsProbable Accepted RevisionsWhat do we need at the National Level ?What do we need at the National Level ?

Initiating Agency: Add TransitCrossing Number: Move to Right-hand CornerReason for Update: Add

Abandoned Out of Service/Inactive Transfer (to New Operating Railroad Company) Administrative Correction (fix errors) Re-Open Date Change Only

Multiple Oper. RR’s: (will probably not Accept) 2nd Operating Railroad Company

Div, Sub-Div, Branch, Milepost, RRID,Train Counts Will Move Field “Does another RR Operate over Track”

Railroad Milepost: Add space for Prefix & Suffix

Probable Accepted RevisionsProbable Accepted Revisions(continued)(continued) Increase many Field Lengths –e.g., Street Name, RRID, Change “Type of Passenger Service”to

“Type of Train Service”: Add & ‘Check all that apply’:Freight (default);Amtrak,Commuter,Transit,Light Rail Shared,Tourist/Other

Move “ENS Sign Installed”to Highway Signs Section Quiet Zone: FRA only will populate this field Crossing User: Highway Vehicle OR Pedestrian/Other Crossing Type: Public OR Private Position (same): At-grade OR RR Over OR RR Under

Probable Accepted RevisionsProbable Accepted Revisions(continued)(continued)Average Passenger Train Count:

Add Check box for: ‘Less than One Train per Day’

Add Update Year to: Train Counts & HighwayCounts

Combine ‘Private Crossing Category’and ‘Type ofDevelopment’and

Change Farm to ‘Farm/Open Space’ Add: ‘Institutional’(e.g., Military and Educational Facilities, etc.)

Delete:County Reference Map (use Item 29.D. ‘State Use’) Is Commercial Power Available (of little use)

Add: “USNG Number”FRA will calculate this from the Latitude/Longitude Values

Probable Accepted RevisionsProbable Accepted Revisions(continued)(continued)Emergency Contact, Railroad Contact, State

ContactFRA will populate these fields with knowntelephone numbers if data is not provided.

Highway Traffic Control Devices: AddYield SignPre-SignalAdvanced Warning Signs; W10-2, -3, -4, -5

–Boxes to checkCrossing Surface –Provide for multiple surfaces Plus lots of Clarifications in the Instructions

What is Still Needed?What is Still Needed?Legislation to make the Inventory Mandatory

–Is in process

Define Required Fields (see “Responsibility Table”)

– Important for Updating if Inventory is Mandatory

Primary Responsibility for the Updating of each DataField is defined in the Responsibility Table

When Railroads change Warning Devices– It is the Railroad’s Responsibility to Notify the State and

FRA of the change.

How to Start UpdatingHow to Start Updatingfor Data Reconciliationfor Data Reconciliation

Agree on Crossing Numbers for all OpenCrossings

Agree on Operating Railroads (or States)Agree on State and County LocationAgree on Type: Public or Private

and Position: At-grade or Grade SeparatedAssign New Numbers –Close Others

When Resolved and Data File Agreement is Reached

Then Update the Balance of Data Items

Have QuestionsHave Questionsor Need More Information?or Need More Information?

Contact: Tom [email protected] [email protected]

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