Railway-Highways Crossing (Section 130) Program

In this section you will find useful definitions, reports, tips, and how-to solutions for professionals interested in learning and applying this safety technology.

Definitions/Types of Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Surfaces

There are several types of crossing surfaces; here is a list of the most commonly used.

• Sectional timber. Prefabricated units made of treated timber, individually installed, and removable for maintenance and replacement purpose.
• Wood plank. A wood surface, other than sectional timber, covering the entire crossing area above crossties.
• Asphalt. A surface over the entire crossing area or the area between plants or other material which forms flange way openings with or without single planks on the outside of running rails.
• Concrete slab. Precast concrete slabs, which are installed and individually removable for maintenance and replacement.
• Concrete pavement. A continuous concrete surface over the track area that cannot be removed except by destruction of the surface.
• Rubber. Preformed rubber sections that can be installed and removed individually for maintenance and replacement.
• Metal sections. Preformed sections of steel or other metal that can be individually installed and removed for maintenance and replacement.
• Unconsolidated. Gravel or other unconsolidated material placed above the tops of crossties with or without planks on one or both sides of running rail.

Reports

NCHRP Synthesis 250 Highway - Rail Grade Crossing Surfaces
Transportation Research Board, 1998.

Investigation of Retroreflective Sign Materials at Passive Railroad Crossings - VTRC
Author: Stephen C. Brich - Transportation Research Scientist
(The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this report are those of the author and not necessarily those of the sponsoring agencies.)

Virginia Transportation Research Council - Charlottesville, Virginia - June 1995

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine the best configuration of retroreflective material on Railroad Crossing (crossbuck) signs and posts for improving the visibility and safety of passive highway-railroad grade crossings at night. The material costs of upgrading existing crossbucks with the retroreflectorized crossbuck systems were also explored.

Five configurations for marking crossbucks and posts were developed and installed at five passive grade crossings on the Virginia Southern Railroad line between Fort Mitchell and Green Bay, Virginia. At each crossing, photographs of each approach were taken at night using only the low beams and high beams of a vehicle for illumination. To supplement the photographs, researchers videotaped driving through the crossings at night. Each location was driven through twice, once with low beams and once with high beams. Researchers also videotaped a train traveling through each crossing.

The photographs and videotape were used as the media for a subjective analysis of which of the five systems was most visible at night. The subjective analysis consisted of one-on-one interviews with 19 individuals watching the videotapes of the systems and answering a questionnaire survey.

Although the sample size was limited by the time constraints of the study, results indicated that the double-sided crossbuck with retroreflective material along the full length of both sides of both posts was preferred. If used throughout the Commonwealth, this system will improve: 1) the visibility of the crossing; 2) the uniformity with which passive crossings are marked; 3) the driver's depth perception of the crossing; and 4) the driver's ability to detect a train in the crossing.

See the entire report posted at the National Transportation Library.