Grade Crossings - Handbook

GRADE CROSSINGS - HANDBOOK 2016-12-14 RDIMS # 12526323 This document is meant to be used in conjunction with the Grade Crossings Regulations as well as the Grade Crossings Standards. i TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................ II FORWARD ............................................................................................................................................ 1 PART A – PREFACE .................................................................................................................................... 2 BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................................... 2 OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................................................ 3 DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................................................................... 4 ARTICLE 1 – INTERPRETATION ......................................................................................................... 7 ARTICLE 1.1 – AREMA INTERPRETATIONS ................................................................................... 13 ARTICLE 2 – CITATIONS ................................................................................................................... 14 ARTICLE 3 – UNITS OF MEASUREMENT ........................................................................................ 15 ARTICLE 4 – LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY ................................................................................... 17 PART B – DESIGN STANDARDS .............................................................................................................. 18 ARTICLE 5 – CROSSING SURFACE ................................................................................................. 19 ARTICLE 6 – ROAD GEOMETRY ...................................................................................................... 24 (GRADE CROSSINGS AND ROAD APPROACHES) ........................................................................ 24 ARTICLE 7 – SIGHTLINES ................................................................................................................. 27 ARTICLE 8 – SIGNS ........................................................................................................................... 31 ARTICLE 9 – WARNING SYSTEMS SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................... 51 PART C – DESIGN CALCULATIONS ........................................................................................................ 55 ARTICLE 10 – DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS ..................................................................................... 55 ARTICLE 11 – LOCATION OF GRADE CROSSINGS ....................................................................... 75 PART D – WARNING SYSTEM DESIGN – GENERAL ............................................................................. 77 ARTICLE 12 – WARNING SYSTEM OPERATION ............................................................................ 77 ARTICLE 13 – NUMBER AND LOCATION OF LIGHT UNITS ........................................................... 88 ARTICLE 14 – LIGHT UNITS – ALIGNMENT ..................................................................................... 95 ARTICLE 15 – BELLS AND GATES ................................................................................................... 96 ARTICLE 16 – CIRCUITRY................................................................................................................. 98 ARTICLE 17 – WARNING SYSTEMS AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS INSTALLED AT GRADE CROSSINGS IN LIEU OF A WARNING SYSTEM – INSPECTION AND TESTING ........................ 100 PART E – INTERCONNECTED DEVICES ............................................................................................... 104 ARTICLE 18 – PREPARE TO STOP AT RAILWAY CROSSING SIGN ........................................... 105 ARTICLE 19 – INTERCONNECTION OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS WITH WARNING SYSTEMS ......... 106 ARTICLE 20 – INTERCONNECTED DEVICES – INSPECTION AND TESTING FREQUENCIES . 107 PART F – GENERAL ................................................................................................................................ 109 ARTICLE 21 – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................... 109 ARTICLE 22 – TEMPORARY PROTECTION MEASURES ............................................................. 111 ARTICLE 23 – EXEMPTIONS / NOTICE OF RAILWAY WORKS AND RESUMPTION OF USE ... 115 ARTICLE 24 – SHARING OF INFORMATION ................................................................................. 123 ARTICLE 25 – GRADE SEPARATION ............................................................................................. 125 ARTICLE 26 – MAZE BARRIERS AND GUIDE FENCING .............................................................. 126 ii ARTICLE 27 – BLOCKED CROSSINGS .......................................................................................... 128 ARTICLE 28 – WHISTLIING CESSATION ....................................................................................... 131 PART G ..................................................................................................................................................... 132 ARTICLE 29 – LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY ............................................................................... 132 ARTICLE 30 – LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY ............................................................................... 132 ARTICLE 31 – GRADE CROSSING SAFETY ASSESSMENT ........................................................ 133 PART H ..................................................................................................................................................... 136 APPENDIX A - LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) SIGNAL MODULES ............................................ 136 APPENDIX B – LIMITED USE WARNING SYSTEMS AND SIGNS ................................................ 140 APPENDIX C – LIMITED USE WARNING SYSTEM WITH WALK LIGHT ...................................... 141 APPENDIX D – WHISTLING CESSATION....................................................................................... 145 APPENDIX E - DETERMINING MINIMUM SIGHTLINES AT GRADE CROSSINGS ...................... 149 APPENDIX F - RAIL SAFETY REGIONAL CONTACTS .................................................................. 150 APPENDIX G - SHARING OF INFORMATION FORM ROAD AUTHORITY ................................... 151 ANNEX A ........................................................................................................................................... 160 APPENDIX H - SHARING OF INFORMATION FORM RAILWAY.................................................... 162 APPENDIX I - CANADIAN GRADE CROSSING DETAILED SAFETY ASSESSMENT FIELD GUIDE ........................................................................................................................................................... 170 APPENDIX J – TESTING REQUIREMENTS (RAILWAY) ................................................................ 171 APPENDIX K – TESTING REQUIREMENT (ROAD AUTHORITY).................................................. 216 ANNEX L – GUIDELINE FOR INSPECTING AND TESTING PRE-EMPTION OF INTERCONNECTED TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS AND GRADE CROSSING WARNING SYSTEMS ......................................................................................................................................... 219 iii FORWARD This document is developed to provide guidance on the engineering best practices and requirements for safety at or around grade crossings, and is to be used as a complement to the requirements found in the Grade Crossings Regulations, and therefore, the incorporated by reference Grade Crossings Standards made pursuant to the Railway Safety Act. Every party responsible for a road or a railway line involving a grade crossing should consult the legal requirements of these instruments. Minimum safety standards are set out for the construction, alteration and maintenance of grade crossings, including the inspection and testing of grade crossing warning systems. It also included minimum safety standards for road approaches and other land adjoining the land on which the railway line is situated insofar as the safety of the grade crossings may be affected. If a proposed railway work does not conform to standards, an application for approval of the proposed work may be filed with the Minister of Transport for Canada under section 10 of the Railway Safety Act. If a railway company or a person wishes to be exempt from the application of a requirement with respect to non-railway operations or works affecting the safety of a grade crossing, an application for an exemption may be filed with the Minister of Transport for Canada under subsection 24(1.1) of the Railway Safety Act. If a person wishes to be relieved of a requirement for inspection, testing, or maintenance, an application for an exemption may be filed with the Minister of Transport for Canada under subsection 22(2) of the Railway Safety Act. Any comments or suggestions regarding these standards or requirements should be addressed to the Rail Safety Directorate Email: [email protected] Phone: 613-998-2985

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