14-57.013. Installation Criteria and Warning Devices for Public Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings

(1) Basic Equipment. All existing public railroad-highway grade crossings without active warning devices shall have reflectorized railroad crossbucks on the right hand side of the road on both sides of the tracks as specified by the U.S. Department of Transportation Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), incorporated by reference under Rule 14-15.010, F.A.C. The reflectorized railroad advance warning sign and pavement markings shall be located at those public grade crossings which are specified in the MUTCD.

(2) Minimum Active Grade Crossing Traffic Control Devices. All new public railroad-highway grade crossings shall have, as a minimum, roadside flashing lights and gates on all roadway approaches to the crossing, usually placed on the right of approaching traffic. Lamp units shall be in accordance with the standards recommended by the MUTCD. The location of the roadside flashing lights and gates shall be in accordance with the Department’s Design Standards for Design, Construction, Maintenance and Utility Operations on the State Highway System, “Railroad Grade Crossing Traffic Control Devices,” with the primary emphasis being the visibility of the flashing lights and gates. The Department’s 2010 Design Standards for Design, Construction, Maintenance and Utility Operations on the State Highway System, “Railroad Grade Crossing Traffic Control Devices,” is hereby incorporated by this rule and made a part of the rules of this Department. Copies of this document are available at http://www.dot.state.fl.us/officeofdesign.

(3) Cantilevered Flashing Lights. Pairs of flashing lights placed on cantilevered arms extended over traffic lanes shall be employed when any one or more of the following conditions exist:

(a) Multilane highways (two or more lanes in each direction) are present or when median lights and gates are not in place.

(b) Sight restrictions to the grade crossing affect either the motorist or train crew.

(c) Signal stanchion located greater than 23 feet from centerline of roadway. The length of the cantilever arm shall be in accordance with the Department’s Standard Index, “Railroad Grade Crossing Traffic Control Devices.”

(4) Automatic Crossing Gates. Automatic crossing gates in conjunction with flashing lights shall be installed if any one of the following conditions exists:

(a) Multilane highway.

(b) Multiple railroad tracks including passing tracks.

(c) High speed train operation (greater than 65 mph) or commuter train operation (greater than 45 mph).

(d) Traffic counts greater than 5,000 vehicles per day.

(e) Greater than 30 through trains per day.

(f) Traffic with greater than nine school buses per day.

(g) Tracks on which hazardous materials are transported.

(h) Continuance of accident history after installation of flashing lights.

(i) Signalized intersections located within 200 feet of track that result in limited vehicle storage space between the track and parallel road.

(5) Traffic Signal Preemption. When new and existing grade crossings are within 200 feet of an intersection with traffic signals, a train activated preemption phase shall be provided in the active grade crossing traffic control device for the traffic signal system. The design of the traffic signal and phase sequencing shall be as specified in the MUTCD. Crossings located between 200 and 500 feet from a signalized intersection must either be preempted or be supported by an engineering study that determines that preemption is not in the interest of public safety.

(6) Train Speed Detection Devices. Train speed detection devices are designed to activate automatic flashing lights preceeding the arrival of the train at the crossing. When train speeds on a given track vary considerably under normal operation, special devices or circuits shall be installed to provide notice in advance of all train movements over the crossing.

(7) Delay of Installation.

(a) A delay in the installation of active grade crossing traffic control devices may be allowed by the Department at a new public railroad-highway grade crossing that intersects an industrial spur track, if the crossing is manually flagged. A delay in the installation of active grade crossing traffic control devices may occur when there are two trains or less per day at the crossing and the Department determines that the characteristics of the highway (e.g., two lanes, the average daily traffic is less than 5000 vehicles, the vehicle operating speed is less than 30 mph) are conducive to requiring a flagman. When train movements require manual flagging at night, the grade crossing must be illuminated.

(b) The Department will grant a temporary delay for the installation of such signals at a new public railroad-highway grade crossing when the installation of such signals would adversely affect the scheduled installation of signal improvements at those grade crossings deemed to have a higher statewide priority.

(8) Public Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Traffic Control Devices. All public railroad-highway grade crossing traffic control devices shall conform to the Department’s Design Standards for Design, Construction, Maintenance and Utility Operations on the State Highway System, “Railroad Grade Crossing Traffic Control Devices.” Copies of this document are available at http://www.dot.state.fl.us/officeofdesign.

Rulemaking Authority 334.044(2) FS. Law Implemented 335.141 FS. History–New 10-9-11.