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Published byGeraldine Lewis Modified over 8 years ago
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1 FRA’s Grade Crossing Safety Program 2012 Southeastern Rail Highway Safety Conference Charlotte, NC
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2 Why Is It Important?
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3 Rail Fatalities in 2011 Total 741
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Highway-Rail Fatalities Trends
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Collisions, Fatalities and Exposure Rail (million train miles) X Hwy Volume (trillion hwy miles) Collisions X 10 Fatalities (= quadrillion)
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FRA assists the railroads in working with states and local communities to: –close crossings –plan corridor safety programs –advance public education and awareness –promote law enforcement Issue regulations –ENS –train horn –reflectors Federal Railroad Administration Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety
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Emergency Notification System (ENS) MUTCD Example SHSM Example 12” x 9” 1” white lettering blue background
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ENS Compliance Dates July 2015 – Railroads w/no existing system July 2017 – Railroads w/current signs that are non- compliant
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Quiet Zones at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
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Train Horns & Quiet Zones Continues to be a great deal of interest in establishing quiet zones. –News clip articles almost daily –Web/e-mail/correspondence inquiries almost every day. 487 quiet zones in existence –288 – new quiet zones –165 – pre-rule quiet zones –70 new quiet zones established in CY 11 –34 new ones as of August 2012
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Train Horns & Quiet Zones FRA completed a study in Summer of 2011 that found no significant difference between the number of collisions before and after a quiet zone is established. Preliminary analysis in 2012 shows the same result – no significant difference Very few complaints about non-compliance with a quiet zone. Some complaints about the high costs for railroad work (e.g., CWT & warning devices)
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Blocked Crossings 2 nd most source of complaint FRA has no regulations on the subject –Part 234 – interference with operation Work with railroad to find resolution Usually successful
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Private Crossings No regulations on the matter “Railroad tore out my crossing” –Enter into private crossing agreement –State laws on property access Safety at Private Crossings Report – Feb. 2010 Need to decide on whether to take a policy or regulatory approach
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National Crossing Inventory Form Hot off the press!!! As of October 18, 2012 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) issued.
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Highlights of the NPRM NPRM PROPOSES that: Railroads to update every 3 years. Applies to all public, private and pathway crossings. Class 1’s required to submit electronically. NPRM does not apply to States, RSIA did, MAP-21 removed FHWA authority.
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Noted proposed timelines in NPRM 3 months Certain change to the crossing (i.e. closure, surface, added gates, sale/transfer new warning devices.) 6 months Crossings yet to be submitted Newly established crossings 3 years Existing crossings must be updated
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NPRM Deadline Date Comment period ends Dec. 17, 2012 Technical symposium www.regulations.gov Docket #FRA-2011-0007
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Trespass Division Workshop Seminar – St. Louis August 2012 www.fra.dot.gov/conference/trespass2012/ index.shtml Trespasser Death Study Survey out to Medical Examiners Results to be plotted on a GIS map
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Thank-you! frank.frey@dot.gov (202) 493-0130
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