USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu FHWA Highway Safety Programs Home
                        Safety
                        HSIP
                        Railway Highway Crossing Program


            
            In This Section
        Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
                                Overview
                About
                Planning
                Implementing
                Evaluating
                Reporting
                Noteworthy Practices
                Legislation and Guidance
                Resources
                HSIP Special Rules
                Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)
                                Overview
                About
                Develop
                Implement
                Evaluate
                Promote
                Legislation and Guidance
                Resources
                Noteworthy Practices
                Safety Performance Measure
                                Overview
                State Safety Performance Targets
                Policy & Guidance
                Fact Sheets & Informational Webinars
                Target-Setting Resources
                Safety Data Resources
                State Safety Reports
                Safety Contacts
                Technical Assistance & Training
                Railway Highway Crossing Program
                                Overview
                Policy and Guidance
                Resources
                
                Collaboration to Effectively Implement Railroad Crossing Safety Projects
fhwasa19039.pdf (19.55 MB)
    
    
          Railway-Highway Crossings (Section 130) Program

**NOTEWORTHY PRACTICE**

Collaboration to Effectively Implement Railroad Crossing Safety Projects

Success Stories from Nevada and Louisiana





FHWA-SA-19-039

Effective communication among a State department of transportation, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and railroad partners can be a win-win solution for safety at highway-rail crossings. Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development have taken this approach to improve processes and safety.

Improved, Streamlined Processes for Nevada

"Nevada map"

*Source: Getty Images*

To help ensure successful delivery of the State's Railway-Highway Crossings (Section 130) Program, NDOT railroad safety staff proactively began to meet quarterly with the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) regional manager. The meetings have proven to be so successful and efficient that NDOT and UPRR have continued them to this day. The regular quarterly meetings keep stakeholders engaged in pursuing a safer railroad crossing environment. NDOT and its rail partners are making great strides as a result of these regular collaborative meetings:

Development of a New Master Agreement

NDOT railroad safety staff and UPRR are motivated in working toward a new Master Grade-Crossing Improvement Agreement for future Section 130 Program projects. The original agreement had been in place since 1978. The new agreement will streamline the project implementation and approval process. It will provide for improvement, installation, maintenance, and operation of safety devices at active or passive grade crossings. This includes all tracks owned and operated by the UPRR or leased by a third party. Under the new master agreement, NDOT will issue task orders for projects instead of entering into individual agreements for each location. These changes will improve the approval process and ensure timely and optimal use of funds for railroad crossing safety.

**"The Nevada Department of Transportation Railroad Safety section's goal is to be more proactive than reactive."**

Doug Fromm, NDOT Railroad Safety Program Coordinator

Engineering Design Support for All Public Railroad Crossings

In early 2019, NDOT issued a request for proposals for Railway-Highway Crossing Safety Engineering Design Services (RHSEDS) to provide design support for and streamline railroad safety projects. The NDOT Railroad Safety Section plans to use Section 130 Program funds for the design services. The scope includes conceptual design, final design, and post-design support for projects for grade separation, crossing relocation, protective devices, and hazard elimination at all public crossings including roadways, bicycle trails, and pedestrian paths. The Nevada Transportation Board approved RHSEDS during the board's quarterly meeting in May 2019. NDOT anticipates implementing an average of 2-3 large projects a year for the foreseeable future.

"pdf cover image"

*Source: FHWA*

FHWA's *Highway-Railway Grade Crossing Action Plan and Project Prioritization Noteworthy Practices Guide* identifies stakeholder engagement as an essential element for developing a Railroad State Action Plan.

Railroad State Action Plan

NDOT Railroad Safety Section has begun development of a Railroad State Action Plan. As part of the action plan, NDOT will implement a data-centric approach to prioritize projects and select strategies. The developers of the action plan will use NDOT's Revised Grade Crossing Hazard Index Model, a Cost-Based Highway-Railway Grade Crossing Prioritization Model, and Rail Inventory Management System to maximize the effectiveness of the action plan. NDOT expects to complete their Railroad State Action Plan in 2020.

Through ongoing collaboration and regular meetings, NDOT is establishing and nurturing successful working relationships with FHWA, FRA, Nevada Public Utilities Commission, UPRR, and other railroad owners. These relationships improve process flow and initiate more timely implementation of rail-highway safety projects.

Collaboration Across Louisiana

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) has held Railroad Safety committee meetings for more than 10 years. The committee includes representatives from FHWA, FRA, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Operation Lifesaver, LaDOTD's Highway Safety Improvement Program, and LaDOTD's Local Public Agency Training and Assistance Program. Originally, the meetings were held twice a year, but now occur annually.

"Louisiana map icon"

LaDOTD uses the meetings to review, update, and approve the State's 3-year plan for rail-highway safety projects, and to explain projects and answer questions from committee members. The meetings also provide an opportunity to highlight rail crossing safety among all stakeholders by providing a platform to present the railroad safety program, educate on rail-highway safety issues, answer questions about specific crossings or corridors, and collect ideas from rail partners to improve safety.

**"Railroads are vitally important to our nation, but are often not as noticed or supported in the overall transportation vision of the public or local governmental officials.**

Bill Shrewsberry, LaDOTD Highway/Rail Safety Engineer



Sources:

Doug Fromm (Railroad Safety Program Coordinator, Nevada Department of Transportation), email communication, September 26, 2019, and October 31, 2019.

Shawn Luke (Assistant Highway/Rail Safety Engineer, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development), email communication, October 11, 2019.

Page last modified on May 14, 2020 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us