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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Federal Railroad Administration

Highway-Rail Grade Crossing 

Resource Guide
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Quick Facts regarding Highway-Rail grade crossing Safety: 

There are approximately 129,500 public at-grade crossings

– More than 50% have automatic warning systems

• 34.7% have flashing lights and gates

• 15.5% have flashing lights

– More than 60% of collisions occur at crossings with automatic warning systems.

• Almost 80,500 private at highway-grade crossings

– Most do not have automatic warning devices

• Under federal law and regulations, maintenance of highway-grade crossings and tracks are the responsibility of individual 

railroads.

– (Federal regulations do specify frequency of inspections required and those depend on the type of track. Federal regulations 

related to grade crossings can be found here: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title49/49cfr234_main_02.tpl)

• Note: FRA does not have regulations pertaining to the crossing surface. Most states have regulations concerning the 

crossing surface but FRA does not.

• Since 2008, FRA has worked with state DOTs and railroads to close more than 18,000 highway-grade 

crossings nationwide
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Number of Crossings as of October 2014

Crossing Type How Many 2008 How many 2014 %Total

Total 266,786 250,711 100

Public At Grade 139,558 129,584 51.7

Private at Grade 87,589 80,120 31.9

Pedestrian at grade 1,982 2,189 0.9

Grade Separated (all) 37,657 38,818 15.5
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

What is the issue:

• 94% of train-vehicle collisions can be attributed to driver behavior or poor judgment.

• 239 Highway-Rail deaths in 2014 (not including December figures) – up from 231 in 2013.

• Three out of four crashes occur within 25 miles of a person’s home. 

• 50% occur within 5 miles of home.

• A motorist is 20 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than a collision involving another motor vehicle.

• The majority of highway-rail collisions occur when the train is traveling less than 30 mph.

• One out of five collisions involves the motorist striking the train.

• In America, every three hours a person is struck by a train. (This included trespasser incidents)

• Nearly all these deaths are preventable.

• A train traveling at 55 mph will take a mile or more to stop.

Improvement over the past decade (2004 to 2013)

• Collisions down by 35% 

• Fatalities down by 38%

• Highway grade crossing and pedestrian trespassing accidents constitute 95% of all rail related fatalities.

 (OIG “Audit of the Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Program” report dated June 16, 2004.)
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Federal Regulations Railroad Crossings: 

• FRA regulations can be located at the bottom of our Highway-Rail Grade Crossing and Trespass Prevention 

page: http://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0040

• Slide no. 4: Additional information on FRA’s final rule on National Highway-Rail Crossing Inventory Reporting Requirements:

• The Crossing Inventory final rule furthers FRA’s efforts to improve existing data on the characteristics of highway-rail and 

pathway crossings nationwide, which is currently provided by States and railroads on a voluntary basis. States and other 

public and private entities use the data in the Crossing Inventory, together with FRA highway-rail collision data, for planning 

and implementation of crossing improvement programs.

• -The following requirements are contained within the Crossing Inventory final rule:

• Railroads must submit data for previously unreported highway-rail and pathway crossings no later than March 7, 2016.

• Railroads must submit data for new highway-rail and pathway crossings no later than six (6) months after the crossing 

becomes operational (or no later than March 7, 2016 whichever occurs later).

• Railroads are required to update existing crossing data in the Crossing Inventory at least every three years.

• Railroads are required to report the sale of a crossing to the Crossing Inventory within three months of the date of sale.

• Railroads are required to report the closure of a highway-way or pathway crossing to the Crossing Inventory within three 

months.

• Railroads are required to report a change in crossing surface or a change in warning device at a public highway-rail grade 

crossing within three months.

• http://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L03266#p1_z5_gD_ksystems%20for%20telephonic
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Federal Regulations Railroad Crossings: 

• In June 2010, FRA issued a final rule that required the ten States with the highest number of reported highway-rail grade 

crossing accidents/incidents during the three-year period between 2006-2008 to develop State action plans to improve 

grade crossing safety. 

– In June 2010, FRA issued a final rule that required the ten States with the highest number of reported highway-rail grade 

crossing accidents/incidents during the three-year period between 2006-2008 to develop State action plans to improve grade 

crossing safety. 

– The ten States subject to this requirement were: Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Ohio, 

and Texas.

– This requirement can be found in 49 CFR 234.11.

• FHWA - The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or MUTCD defines the standards used by road managers 

nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all public streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to 

public travel. The MUTCD is published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under 23 Code of Federal Regulations 

(CFR), Part 655, Subpart F.

• National Grade Crossing Inventory Overview

• Highway-Rail Grade Crossing & Safety Initiative
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Grade Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention – What has the FRA done?

• January 2015 FRA published the final rule on National Highway-Rail Crossing Inventory Reporting Requirements

• June 2013 - FRA Launches New Smartphone App to Raise Awareness of Highway-Rail Grade Crossings 

• June 2012 FRA issued Final Rule on Emergency Notification Systems at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings.

• November 2011 – FRA developed Model State Legislation for Highway-Rail Crossing Violations.

• January 2011 – FRA issued guidance for Guidance for Improving Safety at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings and Preventing 

Railroad Trespassing

• The requirements described on this slide can be found in 49 CFR 213.347. These requirements were contained in a final rule 

that was published in the Federal Register on June 22, 1998.

– With respect to highway-rail grade crossings located on track that is subject to train operations at maximum authorized speeds 

of 110-125 mph, 49 CFR 213.247(b) states that trains shall not be operated at speeds of 110 mph or more through the crossing 

unless the crossing is equipped with a properly functioning FRA-approved warning/barrier system.

• 2005 – FRA developed GradeDec.NET as an investment decision support tool for use by state and local authorities. 

GradeDec.NET is a web-based application that enables the analysis of impacts from grade crossing improvements and 

supports resource allocation and investment decisions. It allows state and local decision makers to prioritize highway-rail 

grade crossing investments based upon an array of benefit-cost measures.

• The FRA issued regulations requiring 10 States to issue State-specific action plans to improve safety at highway-rail grade 

crossings, as part of the Final Rule on Emergency Notification Systems at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings.
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Roles 

FHWA 

$220 Million per year to the States specifically for public crossing safety improvements on a safety priority basis

States (typically the department of transportation) – determine which public crossing are improved and the type of warning 

devices to be installed

FRA 

• Issues and enforces regulations on crossing safety. Railroads must: 

• Perform monthly tests of automatic warning devices

• Place retro-reflective material on rail cars to enhance their visibility at night

• Have additional set of lights (alerting lights) on locomotives to improve motorists ability to detect them

• Sound the horn when approaching public crossings unless within a quiet zone established under FRA regulations

• Post signs at crossing with an emergency telephone number so that the public call notify the railroad if a vehicle is 

stuck on the crossings, the warning signals are not working properly or other safety concerns

• Issues guidance and best practices to safety partners

• Conducts research on ways to improve crossing safety such as incorporating crossing safety as part of Connect Vehicles 

(intelligent transportation system)

• EDUCATION: Motorists must learn how to be safe at grade crossings as an estimated 94 percent of collisions and 87 

percent of fatalities result from risky driver behavior or poor judgment. 

• ENFORCEMENT: Consistent enforcement by local or state police of traffic safety laws, and a sustained effort by the courts 

to impose penalties on violators, discourage and deter motorists from making poor decisions at grade crossings. 

• ENGINEERING: Engineering improvements such as installing flashing lights and gates, adding traffic dividers that deter 

motorists from driving around lowered gates, or physically separating the highway from the tracks greatly reduce or 

prevent the potential for train-vehicle collisions. 
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Role of States and Local Governments 

• States and local governments play critically important roles in ensuring grade crossing safety by exercising their own 

responsibilities, including: 

• Selecting appropriate highway traffic control devices, including grade crossing warning systems, advance roadway signage, 

and pavement markings; 

• Determining, with the railroad, the need for, and design of, interconnections between grade crossing active warning systems 

and other highway traffic control signals. 

• Investigating motor vehicle accidents occurring on public roads, including grade crossing collisions; 

• Instructing, examining and licensing motor vehicle operators; and 

• Enforcing state requirements, if any, regarding clearance of sight obstructions on railroad (or other) property at grade 

crossings. 

Roles of motorists

• Approach crossings expecting a train

• Always comply with warning signals and signs

• Never attempt to beat a train at a crossing

• If the warning signals are malfunctioning, never drive around lowered gates unless directed to by a uniformed police 

officer or a member of the train crew.

• Never start to travel over a crossing unless there is enough room on the other side to allow the vehicle to be completely 

off of the crossing.
Moving America Forward

Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Role of Railroads 

• Railroads must 

• Properly maintain track and signals at the crossing;

• Properly equip locomotives and freight cars with required safety appliances;

• Sound the horn and use alerting lights when approaching public crossings;

• By law, trains have the right-of-way at highway-rail grade crossings since they cannot stop or change direction to avert 

collisions with motor vehicles or people. Railroads have important responsibilities that are critical to safety at grade 

crossings, including requirements to: Inspect, test, and maintain grade crossing active warning systems;

• Provide for alternate means of warning motorists (e.g., flagging traffic over the crossing) in the event of a grade crossing 

signal malfunction or when it is necessary to remove one from service, avoid interference in the normal functioning of these 

devices, and repair malfunctioning signals without delay; 

• Report either telephonically and/or in writing as required all grade crossing collisions, as well as incidents involving the 

failure of an active warning device. 

• Maintain the track structure including proper drainage to avoid disrupting the electrical operation of grade crossing signal 

systems and removing vegetation on railroad property that could interfere with the visibility of grade crossing warning signs

and signals by both motorists and train crews; 

• Sound the locomotive horn on approach to, and until occupying, all public grade crossings unless the crossing is part of an 

FRA recognized Quiet Zone; 

• Properly maintain the event recorder (black box) on all locomotives to preserve data following any collision or incident 

which can aid law enforcement in their investigations 

• Increase the visibility of trains by ensuring properly functioning auxiliary alerting lights on all lead locomotives and by 

affixing reflectorized tape to locomotives and rail cars. 
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

High-speed Rail at Grade Crossing 

• For 110 mph or less: Grade crossings are permitted. States and railroads cooperate to determine the 

needed warning devices, including passive crossbucks, flashing lights, two quadrant gates (close only 

'entering' lanes of road), long gate arms, median barriers, and various combinations. Lights and/or gates 

are activated by circuits wired to the track (track circuits). FRA advocates the use of a “Sealed Corridor” 

approach so that every crossing is evaluated and treated appropriately.

• For 111-125 mph: FRA permits crossings only if an "impenetrable barrier" blocks highway traffic when 

train approaches.

• Above 125 mph, no crossings will be permitted.

• The requirements governing locomotive horn sounding at public highway-rail grade crossings can be 

found in 49 CFR Part 222. These regulations were contained in a final rule that was 

published in the Federal Register on August 17, 2006.
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

• Quick Facts regarding Grade Crossing Safety: 

Category CY 2006 CY 2007 CY 2008 CY 2009 CY 2010 CY 2011 CY 2012 CY 2013 CY 2014

% Change

From

CY 2013 

to

CY 2014

% Change

From

CY 2006 

to

CY 2014

Total

For

CY 2006 

to 

CY 2014

HIGHWAYRAIL 

INCIDENTS 

2,942 2,778 2,429 1,933 2,052 2,062 1,985 2,096 2,068 -1.336 -29.708 20,345

..... RATE of 

Highway-rail 

incidents per 

mil train 

miles

3.616 3.500 3.138 2.894 2.911 2.874 2.713 2.800 2.951 5.414 -18.388 .

--- Highwayrail incidents 

deaths 

369 339 290 248 261 250 230 231 239 3.463 -35.230 2,457

--- Highwayrail incidents 

injuries 

1,070 1,059 990 743 888 1,045 972 972 763 -21.502 -28.692 8,502

--- Incidents 

at public 

xings 

2,517 2,354 2,081 1,644 1,771 1,787 1,698 1,780 1,781 0.056 -29.241 17,413

..... PERCENT 

of total 

Highway-rail 

incidents 

85.554 84.737 85.673 85.049 86.306 86.663 85.542 84.924 86.122 1.411 0.664 .
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Counties

Total Total Year Counts YTD Counts Jan -

Dec % Change Over Time

Acc

s

Pct of Total 2010 2011 2012 2012 2013 2010

to 2012

2011

to 2012

To Dec 

2012

2013

GRAND TOTAL....8,1

95 100.0 2,052 2,062 1,985 1,985 2,096 -3.3 -3.7 5.6

Automobile 3,7

31 45.5 925 960 876 876 970 -5.3 -8.8 10.7

Truck-trailer 1,3

25 16.2 304 352 333 333 336 9.5 -5.4 0.9

Pick-up truck 1,0

93 13.3 308 270 265 265 250 -14.0 -1.9 -5.7

Truck 60

9

7.4 140 144 155 155 170 10.7 7.6 9.7

Pedestrian 56

8

6.9 144 133 133 133 158 -7.6 . 18.8

Other motor veh 40

0

4.9 111 93 100 100 96 -9.9 7.5 -4.0

Van 24

9

3.0 73 54 64 64 58 -12.3 18.5 -9.4

Other 18

7

2.3 39 49 49 49 50 25.6 . 2.0

Motorcycle 21 0.3 4 5 6 6 6 50.0 20.0 .

Bus 11 0.1 4 2 3 3 2 -25.0 50.0 -33.3

School bus 1 0.0 . . 1 1 . . . .

HIGHWAY-RAIL INCIDENTS (BY CALENDAR YEAR, Jan-Dec) AT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CROSSINGS
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Rail (million train miles) X Hwy Volume (trillion hwy miles)

Collisions X 10

Fatalities

(=quadrillion)

Collisions, Fatalities, and Exposure
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Fiscal Incidents Fatalities

2005 2986 346

2006 3070 371

2007 2812 354

2008 2547 296

2009 2054 256

2010 2009 261

2011 2055 258

2012 2046 220

2013 2003 240

2014 2262 250
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N
Moving America Forward

Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Calendar Incidents Fatalities

2005 3066 359

2006 2942 369

2007 2778 339

2008 2429 290

2009 1933 248

2010 2052 261

2011 2062 250

2012 1985 230

2013 2096 231

2014* 2068 239
Moving America Forward

Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

FRA’s Grade Crossing Mobile App (for Android and Apple devices): 

• Download for Android devices at The Google Play Store or Apple devices at The Apple APP Store or from the FRA website, 

here. Information about the App can be located at the same link. 

• The Crossing Locator was developed to provide users with access to the highway-rail grade crossing database and map 

features from a mobile device. The tool allows users to locate crossings by USDOT Crossing ID, address or geo-location; 

access inventory records submitted by states and railroads; and view accident history.

• Users may also use the app to find and call the Emergency Notification Number (ENS) in case of an emergency or a safety 

concern about a specific highway-rail grade crossing. The information accessed in the mobile application is derived from the 

Safety Data website using information submitted by States and Railroads.

• Driver Behavior Analysis – study with cameras installed in cars

– 4,215 grade crossing events involving light vehicle drivers analyzed 

– Drivers were likely to engage in secondary tasks (distractions) over 46% of the time

– Drivers failed to look either left or right on approach to passive grade crossings approximately 35% of the time

• New technologies being tested to improve grade crossing safety:

– Dynamic Envelope pavement marking to improve visibility of tracks – study shows 45% reduction in the number of 

vehicles that stop on tracks

– Install gate skirts to reduce pedestrian violations (going under lowered crossing arms) – 55% reduction in horizontal 

gate violation

– 4 quadrants gates reduces violations of the gates by 86% 
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Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist. 

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Other Regulatory issues: 49 CFR 

Monthly test requirements:

-234.249 – Grounds tests

-234.251 – Standby power

-234.255 – Gate arms and gate mechanisms, including observation to confirm proper 

operation

-234.257 – Grade crossing warning system operation, including warning bells or other 

stationary audible warning devices

-234.261 – Highway traffic signal pre-emption interconnections 

90-day test requirements:

-234.269 – Cut-out circuits

-234.271 – Insulated rail joints, bond wires, and track connections

Annual test requirements:

-234.253 – Flashing light units and lamp voltage

-234.255 – Hold-clear devices

-234.259 – Prescribed warning time

-234.265 – Timing relays and timing devices