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Railroad Crossings Section


Introduction

The Georgia Department of Transportation’s Office of Traffic Safety and Design administers the Federally Funded Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Program by identifying and funding safety enhancement projects at the 7,000+ public highway-rail grade crossings in Georgia. Requirements for this program are documented in 23 CFR 924 and FHWA's Federal Aid Policy Guide dated December 9, 1991. The majority of projects initiated by this office involve the installation of train activated warning devices in the form of bells, lights and gates. Per federal regulations the Department develops a priority list based on information including, but not limited to, traffic volumes, train volumes, level of warning, accident history and school bus traffic. This office is also involved in corridor projects that focus on specific railroad segments to address issues of safety through a combination of the crossing closures, crossing consolidations and/or crossing signalizations. Other special railroad related projects developed by this office include railroad circuitry enhancements, lens upgrades, and signing and/or pavement marking installations and upgrades.


BEFORE

Project Process

The Office of Traffic Safety and Design’s Railroad Section is responsible for identifying, prioritizing and developing projects related to safety enhancements at public highway-rail grade crossings. This is primarily accomplished through the initiation and development of stand alone safety and/or corridor projects. In addition, the Railroad Section is also responsible for coordinating preconstruction activities involving the installation of train activated warning devices as part of larger DOT construction projects.

While the Department is responsible for all design efforts related to the approaching road facilities, the railroad is responsible for all efforts related to the design of the corresponding warning devices and its components. Upon completing pre-construction activities, the Department prepares and executes an agreement with the railroad for the funding and installation of the warning devices. In most cases the Department funds the project and the railroad installs the devices and is subsequently responsible for the day to day operation and maintenance of the equipment as well.

Historically, projects encountering no complications take anywhere from twelve (12) to sixteen (16) months to complete, from initiation to installation.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


Links to Related Sites

Rules and Regulations State Department Of Transportation -Criteria For Elimination Of Highway-Railgrade Crossings - Here is where you will find Rule 672-16 which establishes the procedure for eliminating Highway –Rail grade grossings. The following links provide further information and guidance relevant to this process:


Office of Utilities - The railroad is recognized as a utility within the State of Georgia; therefore, the Office of Utilities works directly with the railroad companies. The Office of Utilities handles agreements with the railroad for surface work, as well as, train activated warning devices. They also administer Force Account Agreements with the Railroad for the work done

Operation Lifesaver Web Site For more information about Rail/Highway Safety NEW

Office of Intermodal Programs – The Office of Intermodal Programs deals with issues involving passenger rail service along with railroad matters pertaining to economic growth within the State of Georgia. The Department of Transportation owns approximately 500 miles of rail line within the State of Georgia. The Intermodal Office handles all activities related to the lease and operating agreements on these lines. This page also contains a link to several railroads that operate in the State of Georgia.

Georgia Annotated Code – Here is where you may find legislation pertaining to safety at railroad crossings.

Code of Federal Regulations – Here is the Federal Highway Administration’s Code of Federal Regulations. This is the Code that governs our section.

Federal Railroad Administration – The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) main goal is to enforce and promote railroad safety guidelines.

Georgia Railroad Association – The Georgia Railroad Association is an organization of the Railroads within the State of Georgia. On this page you will be able to find contact information for several railroad companies in Georgia.

Federal Highway Administration – The Federal Highway Administration is a part of the Department of Transportation with field offices located across the United States. Their main function is to administer and oversee the use of federal funding for multiple safety programs including the Railroad Safety Crossing Program administered by Georgia and all other State’s Department of Transportation.

Vehicle-Train Fatalities Trend Line A graph depicting the trend of fatal accidents in Georgia between motor vehicles and trains from 1971 to 2002.


Updated June 28, 2004. 16:11

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© 2003 Georgia Department of Transportation