Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/529bv.pdf
Page Number: 424.0

529US2

Unit: $U45

[09-26-01 10:03:40] PAGES PGT: OPIN

Cite as: 529 U. S. 344 (2000)

349

Opinion of the Court

quate warning devices . . . on any project where Federal-aid
funds participate in the installation of the devices are to
include automatic gates with ﬂashing light signals” if any
of several conditions are present. Those conditions in-
clude (A) “[m]ultiple main line railroad tracks,” (B) multiple
tracks in the vicinity such that one train might “obscure
the movement of another train approaching the crossing,”
(C) high speed trains combined with limited sight dis-
tances, (D) a “combination of high speeds and moderately
high volumes of highway and railroad trafﬁc,” (E) the use
of the crossing by “substantial numbers of schoolbuses or
trucks carrying hazardous materials,” or (F) when a “di-
§ 646.214(b)(3)(i). Sub-
agnostic team recommends them.”
section (b)(4) states that “[f]or crossings where the re-
quirements of § 646.214(b)(3) are not applicable, the type of
warning device to be installed, whether the determination is
made by a State regulatory agency, State highway agency,
and/or the railroad, is subject to the approval of FHWA.”
Thus, at crossings where any of the conditions listed in (b)(3)
exist, adequate warning devices, if installed using federal
funds, are automatic gates and ﬂashing lights. And where
the (b)(3) conditions are not present, the decision of what
devices to install is subject to FHWA approval.

“(D) A combination of high speeds and moderately high volumes of

highway and railroad trafﬁc.

“(E) Either a high volume of vehicular trafﬁc, high number of train
movements, substantial numbers of schoolbuses or trucks carrying hazard-
ous materials, unusually restricted sight distance, continuing accident oc-
currences, or any combination of these conditions.

“(F) A diagnostic team recommends them.
“(ii) In individual cases where a diagnostic team justiﬁes that gates are
not appropriate, FHWA may ﬁnd that the above requirements are not
applicable.

“(4) For crossings where the requirements of § 646.214(b)(3) are not
applicable, the type of warning device to be installed, whether the deter-
mination is made by a State regulatory agency, State highway agency,
and/or the railroad, is subject to the approval of FHWA.”