Inactive or Abandoned Crossings

The first step in addressing the problem of crossings on abandoned rail lines is to obtain information on actual abandonments from the Surface Transportation Board (STB) or a State regulatory commission. Railroads are required to apply to STB for permission to abandon a rail line (49 CFR Part 1152). In addition, some State laws require railroads to also apply for State permission or to notify a State agency of intent to abandon a railroad line. The State highway representative responsible for crossing safety and operations should be notified of these intentions. The State highway agency might work out an agreement with the State regulatory commission that any information on railroad abandonments is automatically sent to the State highway agency. Railroad personnel responsible for crossing safety and operations should also seek the same information from their operating departments. In a case where the railroad line has been abandoned, but the unused crossing warning devices remain in place, unnecessary delays may result, particularly for special vehicles required by federal and State laws to stop at every crossing. Additionally, if rail features such as track and warning devices are left in place on abandoned lines, road users may become conditioned to ignoring such features, thus potentially reducing the credibility of crossing warning devices on other crossings. The desirable course of action for abandoned crossings is to remove all traffic control devices related to the crossing and remove the tracks. The difficulty is in identifying a statutorily abandoned railroad line, as opposed to a railroad that has simply fallen into disuse but remains open for railroad purposes. For example, a railroad may discontinue service over a line or a track with the possibility that another railroad, particularly a short-line railroad, may later purchase or lease the line to resume that service. These railroad lines are called inactive lines and removing the track will add substantial cost when reactivating the service. Another type of inactive rail line is one with seasonal service. For example, rail lines that serve grain elevators may only have trains during harvest season. The lack of use during the rest of the year may cause the same safety and operational problems described earlier. Once a rail line has been identified as already abandoned or as a candidate for abandonment, the crossings on that line should be identified. This can be determined from the State inventory of crossings or obtained from FRA, custodian of the USDOT National Highway-Rail Crossing Inventory. A field inspection of these crossings should be made to determine if all crossings on that line, both public and private, are listed in the inventory as well as to verify the type of crossing warning devices located at each crossing. This field inspection provides an excellent opportunity to assess the safety and operations of each crossing on that line. If the rail line is not abandoned, the necessary information has been gathered to improve each crossing by one of the alternatives described in following sections. If rail service has been discontinued, pending resolution of the abandonment application and formal abandonment, immediate measures should be taken to inform the public. For example, “EXEMPT” signs, if authorized by State law or regulation, can be placed at the crossing to notify drivers of special vehicles that a stop at the crossing is not necessary. Gate arms should be removed and flashing ‑light signal heads should be hooded, turned, or removed. However , if train service is resumed, 49 CFR 234.247 requires that the crossing warning devices be operational and all FRA-required tests and inspections be conducted prior to operating any trains over the crossing. The track should be physically removed and all traffic control devices removed following official abandonment if no possibility exists for resumption of rail service. This can be determined by examining the potential for industry or business to require rail service. For example, if the rail line was abandoned because the industry that required the service has moved and other plans for the land area have been made, it could be determined whether need for the rail service will continue. An agreement may be necessary between the public authority and the railroad to accomplish the physical removal of the tracks.