Railway/Highway At-Grade Crossing Surface Management: AnOverview

Abstract

This report draws on data from around the United States to describe the features of a successful railway/highway at-grade crossing management program; it emphasizes the highway/trackbed structures and crossing surfaces. Developing a structurally adequate crossing system is imperative, as this will produce a smooth surface and a stable highway/trackbed that prolongs crossings’ lifespans while keeping maintenance costs low and minimizing the number of disruptions encountered by highway and railway traffic. An overview of the guidance issued by several transportation agencies and organizations to facilitate the design and construction of railway/highway at-grade crossings is included here. Equally important to developing a robust network of crossings is defining a clear division of labor between federal, state, and local transportation agencies and railroad companies. As such, this report discusses administrative procedures and state-level regulations that influence railway/highway at-grade crossing practices. This information is presented for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), FHWA’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), as well as several states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Georgia, Michigan, and West Virginia.