SAFETY AT RAILROAD CROSSINGS By WILLIAM T. SUNLEY, Engineer of Local Roads and Streets

Traffic accidents that occur at the intersection of a rail line and street or highway are relatively rare but are almost always tragic. Available statistics show that the number of accidents in Illinois at railroad crossings have been in a steady decline during the past decade; from 409 in 1982 to 291 in 1991. This reduction in accidents at railroad crossings can be largely attributed to the accomplishments made under the Federal Highway Safety Act, the state's Grade Crossing Protection Fund, and increased driver awareness.

The majority of the rail-highway accidents are on the local highway system. This makes sense; 80 percent of the 9,937 at-grade crossings in Illinois are on the local highway system. Many of the local crossings have no active warning devices and have low highway and train traffic. These conditions can cause drivers to lower their expectancy of a train at a crossing.

There are two ways that local officials can participate in improving safety at crossings: (1) through the Annual Rail/Highway Safety Program, and (2) through the Grade Crossing Protection Fund. During the late fall of 1992, each of our District Bureaus of Local Roads and Streets will solicit you for the local portion of the FY 94 Rail/Highway Safety Program. The emphasis of the program is to provide warranted active warning devices at crossings that are not signalized and to upgrade existing signalized crossings by such improvements as adding gates or modernizing circuitry. Some funds may also be available for other safety-related improvements such as improving the highway grades at a crossing. Federal funds from the new Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) will pay for 90 percent of all eligible work. The remaining 10 percent is the responsibility of the local agency. In cases of financial hardships, assistance in matching the federal funds might be available through the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (discussed later in this article).

Each District Bureau of Local Roads and Streets has been furnished with a computer printout from the national crossing inventory indicating the local crossings which may warrant the upgrading of warning devices due to a high expected accident frequency number. The expected accident frequency is the product of the average daily highway traffic, rail traffic, and a factor based on the existing protection.

Although much of the focus of available funds is on this list of crossings, it should not be the only source of candidates. Crossings not on the list may also warrant additional protection. For example, crossings with a high accident history or restricted visibility of oncoming trains may also warrant additional treatment. However, we depend on local officials to bring these locations to our attention. If you think you have a crossing that may be eligible for funding, please contact your district office.

Funds available under this program are limited and usually are not adequate to cover all proposed projects submitted. Projects are selected on the basis of the most critical needs being met first.

A second way you can participate in improving the safety at railroad crossings is by contacting the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) for the use of the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF). The GCPF is used primarily for the following types of improvements on county, township, road district and municipal street systems:

1. The construction or upgrade of crossing protec-

Credits to: Gary Galecki, Rail Safety & Project Engineer

October 1992 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 15

tion (new or additional signals, gates, circuitry upgrades, etc.).

2. The construction or improvement of any highway necessary for access to property due to a crossing closure.

3. The construction, reconstruction, relocation, or removal of grade separated structures.

There are two methods by which application for the use of the CCPF can be made: (1) the stipulated agreement method, and (2) the petition method. For application of either method, or to inquire which method should be used, please write to the Railroad Section, Illinois Commerce Commission, 527 E. Capitol Ave., P.O. Box 19280, Springfield, 1L 62794-9280, or phone 217/782-7660.

The stipulated agreement process includes an on-site meeting with all parties involved in order to discuss any improvements needed at the crossing(s). If it is determined that work is necessary and all parties are in agreement with the improvements and division of cost, the ICC will prepare a stipulated agreement for signature by all parties. After the stipulated agreement is executed by all parties, the ICC will issue an order for completion of the work.

The petition process involves a formal petition on behalf of the local highway authority, the railroad, or IDOT to the ICC. Upon review of the petition, the ICC will schedule a formal hearing. The petitioner would present all pertinent information relative to the crossing and surrounding area for the record. All affected parties would have an opportunity to state their case. After the hearing process is completed, the ICC will issue an order based on the findings made from evidence presented at the hearing(s).

A booklet published by IDOT entitled "The Grade Crossing Protection Fund, Use . . . Operation . . . Administration" will be available early in 1993. The booklet explains how the program works and provides typical cost divisions for grade crossing improvements. We will send copies to all counties and to all municipalities with a population of 5,000 or more. Other local agencies can obtain a copy through their district Bureau of Local Roads and Streets.

Rail-highway crossing safety is important to all of us. Let's do what we can to continue the trend of accident reduction in Illinois. •

Page 16 / Illinois Municipal Review / October 1992