Iowa Administrative Rules (Last Updated: December 07, 2016) |
Department 761. Transportation Department |
Chapter 812. CLASSIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR HIGHWAY-RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS |
Section 761.812.3. Warning device standards and their implementation.
-
812.3(1) A crossing with a final predicted accident rate of .075 or above is a candidate for upgrading. The following are recommended minimum improvements, subject to the considerations set out in the remainder of this rule.
Number
Tracks
Current
Installation
Proposed
Upgrade To
1
Crossbucks
Flashers
1
Flashers
Gate Arms
2 or more
Crossbucks
Gate Arms
2 or more
Flashers
Gate Arms
2 or more
Gate Arms
4 Quadrant Gate Arms
or
Raised Medians
812.3(2) The highway authority (governmental unit(s) having jurisdiction of the highway or street at the crossing) and the railroad shall jointly conduct a field review of a crossing they propose to upgrade.
a. Variations of warning devices or warning device circuitry including, but not limited to, prediction circuitry, motion sensor circuitry and cantilever assemblies shall be determined by conditions at the crossing site.
b. Site conditions shall determine whether safety improvements to correct these conditions should be made in lieu of the upgrades listed in subrule 812.3(1). Safety improvements are generally recommended if they would be less expensive than the upgrades and would result in a final predicted accident rate lower than .075. Safety improvements to consider include, but are not limited to, luminaires, pavement markings, sight distance improvement, signing modifications, rail signal/traffic signal interconnections, surveillance systems and crossing surface extensions.
812.3(3) The highway authority shall consider crossing consolidation or closure in lieu of upgrading the warning devices at a crossing. A grade separation may also be considered, but the decision to construct a separation is based on factors beyond the scope of this chapter.
812.3(4) When planning a highway improvement project encompassing or adjacent to a crossing, the highway authority shall consider the effects of the project on the crossing.
812.3(5) An agreement between the highway authority and the railroad is required for warning device installations at a new crossing location and warning device upgrades on a detour.