Railroad Crossings in our Communities
How do I report malfunctioning gates and warning signals?
Call 800-848-8715 to report active railroad warning signal issues at particular crossings. Please provide the following information, if available:
- Street/highway name
- Nearest city/town
- DOT Number (if available)
Note: The DOT number is a six digit number with an alpha character at the end (Ex.: 999 999A) and is found on the blue sign mounted on the crossbuck post for a passive crossing: it may be found on either the signal mast and/or signal cabin.
Who Decides Where Active Warning Signals Are Located?
One of the commonly held misconceptions is that railroads decide where and what types of railroad warning signals are installed at crossings.
In reality, the process is governed by a federal program since crossing signals are defined by the Federal Highway Administration as highway control devices, not railroad signals.
Railroad crossing signal installations and signal upgrades primarily are funded by federal safety funds, originally through "Section 130 funding," but more recently under other titles. The states receive an allocation of federal money each year for grade crossing improvements.
Each state is tasked to develop a system to determine a priority list for crossing safety improvements based on various factors. While states have different budgets and formulas to prioritize crossing improvements, they generally consider the following.
- Vehicle traffic count at the crossing.
- Types of vehicles using the crossing.
- Number of daily trains each way.
- Collision history at the crossing.
Once a state determines which crossings are to be upgraded, it contacts the railroad, which meets with state and local representatives on site to review the project. The process is defined as a "diagnostic review meeting." The railroad then designs the circuitry for the specific crossing and determines a cost estimate. The state reviews the estimate and once it approves it, issues an agreement to the railroad to install the desired signals.
Costs for signal installations will vary depending on the complexity of the crossing and the sophistication of the equipment needed to meet the desired safety levels.
Ultimately, of course, the safest crossing is no crossing. An on-going goal of the railroad is to close redundant crossings.
In areas where grade separations - either underpasses or overpasses - are planned, funding methods vary. The cost can vary depending on the complexity of the site.
Why Do Engineers Sound Train Horns?
Federal rules require train crews to begin sounding the horn at least 15 seconds before entering the crossing and to continue sounding the horn until the engine crosses the roadway. Locomotives are equipped with a triangle of bright headlights, one mounted high and centered, and two on each lower side of the front of the locomotive. They are illuminated night and day when the train is in motion.
Who Maintains Railroad Crossing Warning Signs and Signals?
Railroads maintain active warning signals and crossbuck, multiple track, whistle and emergency notification signs.
Public road authorities maintain all other signage including stop signs, yield signs, advance warning signs and pavement markings.
What is the history behind railroad crossing warning systems?
Highway-rail crossing warning system technology dates back to 1870 when the track circuit was invented. The idea of using electric current in railroad rails for signaling was an idea that had been suggested as early as 1848. By dividing the railroad into "blocks" or sections, a circuit was devised to signal trains when a specific section of track was clear or occupied with other trains.