Controlled access highways are free from railroad grade crossings. An interstate user has the luxury of traveling controlled access highways without any concern for grade crossing safety. Separation of controlled access highways has become a reality in the United States and allowed motorists the comfort of traveling those highways without the need to encounter grade crossing safety problems. It is this type of uniformity that needs to apply to the remainder of the roadways in the United States. If the local road authority has seen fit to improve a road for heavier traffic volumes, higher speeds or any other reason justifying the cost of such improvement, then one could reasonably expect that the cost of improving grade crossings to include active warning devices should be a part of the improvement project.
Drivers can easily identify an improved road from a gravel or dirt road.
When traveling on an improved road, the motorist should have the right to believe that the traffic control devices on that roadway have also been improved by the local road authority. Uniform installation of lights and gates is economically feasible. It will also provide motorists with much needed uniformity. If there are exceptions to this rule, then the local road authority and railroad must make reasonable accommodations to protect motorists. Passive crossings on improved roads have accounted for inordinately high accident and fatality rates.