Routine Maintenance

Highway maintenance personnel should be aware of the design, operational, safety, and maintenance issues surrounding highway rail crossings and railroad track structure. In particular, activities which could affect the vertical profile and the interface between the rail right ‑of‑way and the approach roadway should be coordinated with the railroad, and railroads should also coordinate maintenance activities that affect vertical profile with the adjacent highway authority. Pavement markings and signs should be kept up to date and worn, damaged, or missing signs 152should be replaced. The railroad stop line should be maintained the proper distance from active warning devices and the placement of advance warning signs should be consistent with advance pavement markings. The roadway maintenance supervisor should pay attention to the crossings under his or her jurisdiction and coordinate with the railroad, as necessary, to resolve any problems. If maintenance is being done under a regular program, coordination with affected railroad(s) can address these issues at all relevant crossings. The maintenance supervisor should also contact the crossing program administrator, as necessary, should any needed improvements be identified. Railroad road masters, track supervisors, signal inspectors, and signal maintainers also have a critical role in maintaining features of a highway-rail crossing.