Existing Laws, Rules, Regulations, and Policies
Current FHWA regulations specifically prohibit at ‑grade intersections on Interstate highways (AASHTO “A Policy on Design Standards—Interstate System,” May 2016).(6) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has established maximum permissible speeds by track class category (refer to Appendix B, Table B-5 for track classes and allowable speeds). Current FRA regulations require that crossings be separated or closed at locations where trains operate at speeds above 125 mph—track Class 8 or 9 (49 CFR 213.347(a)). Additionally, on FRA track Class 7 (111–125 mph), an application must be made to FRA for approval of the type of warning/barrier system to be used at highway-rail grade crossings along the track (49 CFR 213.347(b)). The regulation does not specify the type of system but allows the petitioner to propose a suitable system for FRA review. These requirements are summarized in Table 1. In 1998, FRA issued an Order of Particular Applicability for high-speed rail service on the Northeast Corridor. (7) In the Order, FRA set a maximum operating speed of 80 mph over any highway-rail crossing where only conventional warning systems are in place and a maximum operating speed of 95 mph where four-quadrant gates and presence detection are provided and tied into the signal system. Crossings are prohibited on the Northeast Corridor if maximum operating speeds exceed 95 mph. Table 1. Federal Requirements for High-Speed Rail Crossings — ActiveWarning/Barrier with
FRA ApprovalGrade Separation
or Closure
Interstate highways Not allowed Not allowed Required
High-speed rail > 79 mph 111–125 mph > 125 mph Note: This document summarizes current practices but does not set standards; practitioners are advised to check current local standards and requirements (refer to Disclaimer and Quality Assurance Statement). Users of the data provided within this document should anticipate possible variations from current information within the FRA databases, which are updated monthly. Special consideration applies to crossings where train speeds are expected to exceed 110 mph. FRA regulations require the use of an approved “barrier system” if train operation is projected at 111–125 mph speeds. As stated in the 2009 Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Guidelines for High-Speed Passenger Rail published by the FRA(8), barrier systems need to meet the following criteria to be effective:
•Operate in concert with the crossing warning system, and the combined system provides critical information about the health and status of the system to the train control system in real time
•Able to stop the heaviest motor vehicle operated on the roadway short of the crossing
•Include the capability to detect any significant obstruction (object) that remains on the crossing after the barriers are in place
•Able to communicate the presence of any significant obstruction to approaching high ‑speed trains with enough time for the train to reduce speed or stop before reaching the crossing The interaction between high-speed trains and pedestrians should be carefully considered when identifying appropriate warning systems and treatments to be implemented. The single largest cause of deaths associated with railroad operations is pedestrians trespassing on railroad property. Special consideration should be applied to controlling trespassing attempts. Private grade crossings on high-speed rail corridors are considered separately. Such crossings may be located along non-public roads within industrial, residential, or agricultural lands. Private crossings generally exist because of an agreement between a railroad and a land owner. Therefore, in most cases those parties determine the appropriate treatment for the crossing. Where private crossings are open to public travel, consideration should be given to providing similar treatment to that which would be provided at a public crossing. In addition, if private crossings exist within a proposed quiet zone, a diagnostics review may be required, and a determination should be made of an appropriate treatment. Additional information can be found in FRA’s regulations at 49 CFR 213.347, including the requirement that crossings be separated or closed at locations where train speeds exceed 125 mph.