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**Low-Cost Active Warning for Low-Volume Highway/Rail Intersections \
\
Project Description:\
**A current active train warning system costs between \$100,000 to
\$150,000 to design and install in Minnesota.  The cost prevents it from
being provided at low-volume crossings where approximately 70 percent of
rail-highway fatalities occur in Minnesota.  A low-cost highway-rail
intersection active warning system has been developed by C3 Trans System
LLC.  It is anticipated that the design and construction cost of this
envisioned low-cost system would be only one-tenth of the current system
cost per crossing.\
\
Mn/DOT, in cooperation with the Twin Cities and Western Railroad (TC&W),
FHWA and the project coordinators, will install the envisioned low-cost
active warning system at 30 low-volume crossings on the TC&W corridor
between the Twin Cities and South Dakota.  Crossings are located in the
following counties:  Carver, Chippewa, McLeod, and Renville.  An
operational test is presently being conducted.  Mn/DOT is conducting an
evaluation of the warning systems to determine their safety performance,
operational performance, cost, reliability, and maintenance
implications.\
\
**Project Status:**\
The operational test will be conducted in three phases:

-    Phase 1: Shadow-mode testing at a single HRI intersection and one
    locomotive - 2002.

-    Phase 2: Shadow-mode testing at a 10 contiguous intersections
    testing and eight locomotives - 2003.

-   Phase 3: Active-mode testing at 30 HRI intersections and eight
    locomotives -- 2004/2005.

The high level requirements and much of the design are complete. Proof
of concept field testing has taken place with acceptable results. All
system hardware has been purchased and devices to allow the
10-intersection shadow-mode testing have been installed. Testing
activities with selected locomotives began on January 1, 2003 and data
is currently being collected and analyzed. Findings from the
10-intersection test have been used to refine the system and component
designs.  Failure modes are being assessed and documented. Hazard
analysis and detailed design documents are being finalized and the
communications protocol is being refined. A final evaluation report will
be ready in the fall of 2005.\
\
**Project Contact:**\
Brad Estochen\
Mn/DOT Office of Traffic, Security and Operations\
Phone (651) 634-5227\
E-mail  <bradley.estochen@dot.state.mn.us>

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**C3 Trans**-**Systems LLC, the leader in Communications Based HRI and
Switch Warning Systems.**

C3 Trans Systems designs and manufactures communication based HRI
Activation and

Switch Warning Systems for the rail industry.

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> These systems offer significant safety advantages over existing track
> based systems.
>
> Safe stopping distance warning to train crew.
>
> Solar power crossing devices.
>
> Automatic failure reporting.
>
> Locomotive based data recorder.
>
> Lower Life Cycle Costs.
>
> **[Learn More about C3 HRI
> System](http://64.65.174.244/BrochureC3.pdf) (*requires Adobe Acrobat
> Reader*)**
>
> **[New C3 Dark Territory Switch Warning
> System](http://64.65.174.244/DarkTerritoryBrochuresw.pdf) (*requires
> Adobe Acrobat Reader*)**
>
> [**C3 HRI
> Datasheet**](http://64.65.174.244/../../../Desktop/C3datasheet.htm)
>
> **Useful Links:**
>
> [Minnesota Guidestar Home Page - Mn/DOT
> OTSO](http://www.dot.state.mn.us/guidestar/)
>
> [Twin Cities and Western Railroad](http://www.tcwr.net/www/tcwr/)
>
> [Wel](http://www.fra.dot.gov/)

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Contact us:

C3 Trans Systems LLC

1643 94th Lane N.E.

Blaine, MN 55449(763) 398 0456

<gm1529@skypoint.com>