Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-17
CROSSING PROBLEM
ST|RS ROAD MEN
classification and Program
of Elimination Urged
by U. S. Expert.

Railroad grade crossings represent
one of the largest and most perplexing
problems that must be solved in future
highway programs, according to E. w.
James Of the Bureau of Public Roads
OF the United States Department
of Agriculture, who recently out
lined for members of the American
Road Builders Association construc-
tive proposition to help solve the diff
Gculty.
The outline recommends that def
mite classification of crossings be made,
based on the relative value Of their
elimination to the travelling public;
that a definite program for eliminating
crossings of highest classification be
adopted by each State and each rail-
road in 1t; that authority to create new
grade crossings be restricted; that each
State adopt a definite program for in
Stalling safety warning devices of a
standardized type: that the cost of
eliminating and installing safety de-
vices be readjusted between the rail-
roads and the public.
Economic Study Needed.
To determine which crossings to
should be made on the basis of time
lost at crossings, Mr.. James pointed
out, explaining that the study should
i be based on q traffic census and on
computation of time losses due to that
{ kind OF motor vehicle operation that
! will reasonably produce complete alb
5ence of accidents at. the crossings. "
The value Of eliminating the crossing
varies directly with the amount of rail
and highway traffic, without reference
TO the hazard involved" he said. Forti-
ned with proper data, each of the rail-
roads IN each State could plan def
mite annual program for eliminating
crossings according to their relative i'm
portance, and the program would be
/ Authority to create new crossings
should be confined to State highway de-
partments or to some State public
utility commission and new crossings
should be permitted only where no
other solution is possible at the time,
! Mr.. James believes. At present such
authority lies usually with the admin
istrative body authorized to open or to
accept newly opened roads.
Safety Warning Program.
"A definite progressive program should
be adopted by each State for in i,stal Ii,s
Z safety warning devices of q rigidly
standardized type or types for all high
/ ways and railroads at those crossings
which must be left in place." Mr.. James
stated. "They may constitute gates
with or without watchmen, watchmen
alone, light wigwag signals, gongs OF
( other devices, but in each case the in
/ stallation and operation should be as
nearly uniform as possible.
Some more or less definite read
Justment of costs between railroads and
public should be made for all grade
! crossing treatments At present the
cost OF installing protective features is
borne entirely by States in some cases
and in others entirely by the railroads
If q program Of elimination, based on a
classification, is to be founded on eco
nomic saving to highway traffic, it Is
I logical and fair to be liberal in allot-
s4ment of costs to the general public
This plan would make 1t possible to
speed up the entire program of elimina-
ton and protection"
Mr.. James recommends that each
State highway department collect dats
on accidents at all crossings, resulting
fatalities, and on the types of pro-
tected crossings. This information
would permit setting up separate urban
and suburban programs, and decision
as to the effectiveness of the several
types Of protection where immediate
elimination IS not possible.
. IL