The Bismarck tribune., 1934-12-21
Crossing Protection

I
Crossing Protection
(Railway Age)
Out Of the present total Of ap-
proximately $4,000 railway highway
grade crossings, about 30,4OO have
some form OF protection in addition
to the standard fixed crossing signs.
Approximately 400 crossings are pro-
tected by gates, OF which 1900 are In
24-hour- day, or full time, opera
tion: 1900 are protected by watch
men, full time: 5000 by watch
men, part time; l6,7O0 by visible
signals-flashing or swinging lights
automatically operated by approach
ing trains; and 5000 crossings are
protected by audible signals likewise
operated automatically.
Despite the elimination Of more
than 10000 grade crossings In q
seven-year period, new highway
construction and the opening Of city
streets across railway tracks re.
suited in q net increase In this
period in the total number q grade
crossings. From January I, 1926, to
the first Of 1888, l0,34l rail-highway
grade crossings were eliminated, Of
which 1888 were removed through the
separation Of grades by the construc-
ton OF overpasses or underpasses,
and the rest by the relocation Of
highways. closing Of city streets and
abandonment OF railway mileage.
However, during that same period.
l1,726 new grade crossings were built
with the result that there WAS . net
increase Of 1885 in the total number
Of rail-highway grade crossings.
Since 1929 more favorable results have
been reported with q net reduction
up to 1888 Of 1,l67 crossings.
from 1870 to 1882 the capital out
lays made by the Glass railways
for grade separation work amounted
to $233, ,l66.6l5. The cost Of individual
separations varies from less than
$4,000. where the topography u espe.
cially favorable, to more than $780,
600. with . general average figure Of
$4,000 to $4,000. What the total bill
would be for . complete elimination
Of all highway grade crossings
IS anybody's guess. but It would not
be necessary to eliminate anywhere
near all the crossings to remove most
Of the hazard. Ono railway has
found that the elimination Of five
per cent Of the grade crossings on It's
lines would remove 50 per cent
Of the hazard. At an estimated
cost Of 10000, this would involve
an expenditure Of less than 500 mil
lion dollars for the entire country.
For . long time following the In
ception Of the movement for Grade
separation public authorities pro-
ceeded on tho assumption that all, or
nearly all, Of the cost must be borne
by the railways. and most Of the
earlier projects were prosecuted un.
der agreements esnbodying this un-
warranted provision. Eventually the
injustice Of this was recognized in
the assumption Of varying p9opor-
tions Of the cost by municipalities,
counties and states.
Federal appropriations for the
elimination or protection Of grade
crossings have much to commend
them as measures Of unemployment
relief. In contrast with CWA work
or any plan Of like character, the
use Of federal funds for reduction
in the hazard at grade crossings
would be conducted under admins
trative machinery that is already in
existence, on projects that have
already been studied. and in accord
ance with plans already substanti-
ally formulated. Foremost among
the advantages IS the wide geograph-
ical distribution Of such projects,
which, by the way, Is more nearly In
in proportion to the density Of popu-
lation, and therefore the density OF
unemployment, than almost any
other type Of public work. They
offer employment for both skilled
and unskilled workmen. They af-
ford opportunities for the exercise
Of a choice In the selection Of the
materials to be used, and the pur-
chase Of these materials introduces 1
still further distribution Of employ.
ment. In addition, the need 70,
machinery wiu stimulate various
branches Of the capital goods in
dustry.
The public demand for increased
safety and reduced delays to high.
way traffic at these crossings Is so
incessant that there can be no cues
ton as to the eventual expenditure
of vast sums for the elimination d
many crossings and the better pro.
lection Of great many others
Therefore, any projects undertaken
now, primarily as a means Of pyovid.
Ing employment, will represent jusl
SO much progress upon an essentia,
program.