Opinion ID: 1969662
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Standards For New Crossings.

Text: Soo Line contends that the DOT's decision was unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious. See Iowa Code § 17A.19(8)(g) (1991) (agency action may be reversed if it is unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious). An agency's action is arbitrary or capricious when it is taken without regard to the law or facts of the case. Office of Consumer Advocate v. Iowa State Commerce Comm'n, 432 N.W.2d 148, 154 (Iowa 1988). Agency action is unreasonable when it is clearly against reason and evidence. Frank v. Iowa Dep't of Transp., 386 N.W.2d 86, 87 (Iowa 1986). Soo Line asserts two reasons that the agency's decision was unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious. First, it claims that the DOT failed to explain the standards it used in its decision to allow a new crossing in the City. Second, it criticizes the agency for failing to discuss in its decision certain study variables mentioned in the agency's regulations for safety evaluations of rural crossings. We have examined the agency's decision. When read with the ALJ order it affirmed, we conclude the agency sufficiently explained the standards it used. The ALJ stated in detail his findings of fact. He concluded that he must balance the interests of the parties in arriving at a just decision. He then analyzed the benefits and burdens of a new crossing on the City and Soo Line. The balance struck by the ALJ is easily deduced from his ultimate decision to allow the new crossing. He decided that the interests of the City in having a new crossing outweighed the disadvantages to Soo Line if the new crossing was allowed. We find no merit in Soo Line's criticism that the agency failed to explain the standards used in its decision. We turn now to the second argument made by Soo Line to support its claim of unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious agency actionthat the agency did not discuss certain study variables. The DOT has adopted guidelines to be used in evaluating the safety of rural railroad-highway crossings. 761 Iowa Admin.Code ch. 812 (1990). Although these guidelines apply only to rural crossings, section 812.4 lists some of the study variables that would be involved in evaluating the safety of a municipal crossing. Soo Line claims the agency should have discussed these factors in its decision. Although the safety of the proposed crossing was a relevant consideration here, it does not follow that the DOT had to discuss each variable, item by item. Moreover, a review of the ALJ's order reveals that he discussed many of the variables listed in section 812.4, such as vehicle traffic, the existence of switch tracks, and switching and through train movements. There is no merit to this assignment of error. Although Soo Line also challenges the agency's decision to allow a new crossing on other grounds which may be raised on judicial review ( see Iowa Code section 17A.19(8)), it cites no authority nor offers any substantive argument in support of these additional grounds. Therefore, we do not consider them. Moore v. Vanderloo, 386 N.W.2d 108, 113 (Iowa 1986); Iowa R.App.P. 14(a)(3).