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                        Highway-Railway Grade Crossing Action Plan and Project Prioritization Noteworthy Practices


            
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                APPENDIX D. Costs and Benefits of Various Crossing Improvements
There are a wide variety of crossing treatments that will improve crossing safety and may help mitigate blocked crossings. However, the costs of these treatments may vary greatly depending on the specific physical and operating characteristics of a crossing. The chart below provides a list of some of the common infrastructure improvements that reduce the risk of a crossing collision occurring. It also provides typical cost ranges and estimated risk reductions for the improvements.

Improvement
			Estimated cost range*
			Effectiveness**No signs to passive (crossbuck assembly)
			$500 to $1500
			25%Passive to flashing lights
			$120,000 to $250,000
			64%Passive to flashing lights with gates
			$150,000 to $300,000
			88%Flashing lights to flashing lights with gates
			$150,000 to $250,000
			44%Flashing lights with gates to 4 quadrant gate system
			$250,000 to $500,000
			82%Flashing lights with gates to flashing lights with gates and medians
			$30,000 and up depending on construction and right-of-way acquisition
			80%Flashing lights with gates to flashing lights with gates and channelization
			$15,000
			75%Grade separation
			$5M - $40M
			100%Closure
			$25,000 to $100,000
			100%* Based on 2015 dollars.
** The effectiveness of a treatment refers to the expected reduction in the number of highway-railway collisions at a location. It does not reflect a reduction in the severity of collisions or a reduction in the number of fatalities.
      
  Book traversal links for APPENDIX D. Costs and Benefits of Various Crossing Improvements
      ‹ APPENDIX C. Blocked Highway-Railway Grade Crossings
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                Book:Highway-Railway Grade Crossing Action Plan and Project Prioritization Noteworthy Practices
              Chapter 1. Introduction and Background
                Chapter 2. Recommended Process for Preparing a State Action Plan
                Chapter 3. Implementation and Evaluation
                Chapter 4. Content and Recommended Outline for a State Action Plan
                Chapter 5. Background on Prioritization
                Chapter 6. Noteworthy Prioritization Practices
                Chapter 7. References
                APPENDIX A. State Highway-Railway Grade Crossing Information Sources for Noteworthy Practices
                APPENDIX B. Summary of State Action Plans Submitted Under Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008
                APPENDIX C. Blocked Highway-Railway Grade Crossings
                APPENDIX D. Costs and Benefits of Various Crossing Improvements U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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