05-299 (7-08) PUBLICATION: TRANSMITTAL LETTER Publication 371, Grade ~ Crossing Manual pennsylvania DATE: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION January 6, 2015 SUBJECT: PUBLICATION 371 - GRADE CROSSING MANUAL DECEMBER 2014 EDITION INFORMATION AND SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: The 2014 edition of Publication 371, Grade Crossing Manual, has been revised to incorporate Strike­ off- Letter 482- 13-35 (Buy America), changes in the Section 130 Rail/Highway Crossing Safety Program, and editorial updates for clarity and consistency. CANCEL AND DESTROY THE FOLLOWING: ADDITIONAL COPIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM: The July 2011 Edition of Publication 371 and all subsequent revisions, including the following ~ PennDOT SALES STORE Strike-off-Letter which has been incorporated (717) 787-6746 phone into this edition: (717) 787-8779 fax 482-13-35 ra- penndotsalesstore.state.pa.us ~ PennDOT website - www.dot.state.pa.us Click on Forms, Publications & Maps ~ DGS warehouse (PennDOT employees ONLY) APPROVED FOR ISSUANCE BY: Barry Schoch, P.E. ::~a T#£- , {o. Vsrian G. Th6mpson, P.E. ""' / Director, Bureau of Project Delivery, Highway Administration Grade Crossing Manual Publication 371 December 2014 Edition PUB 371 (12/14) Publication 371 Grade Crossing Manual BLANK PAGE Table of Contents Publication 371 Grade Crossing Manual CHAPTER 1 ............................................................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.01 THE GRADE CROSSING MANUAL ...................................................................................................... 1-1 A. PURPOSE........................................................................................................................................................ 1-1 B. ORGANIZATION. ............................................................................................................................................. 1-1 C. FUTURE REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE MANUAL.. ................................................................................. 1-2 1.02 GRADE CROSSING PROCESS OVERVIEW ........................................................................................ 1-3 A. TWO TYPES OF HIGHWAY-RAILROAD CROSSING PROJECTS. .......................................................................... 1-3 B. KEY ENTITIES. ............................................................................................................................................... 1-4 C. FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS .............................................................................................................. 1-4 1.03 DISTRICT OFFICE ................................................................................................................................... 1-5 A. DISTRICT GRADE CROSSING ENGINEER/ADMINISTRATOR. ............................................................................. 1-6 B. DISTRICT CERTIFICATION. .............................................................................................................................. 1-6 C. MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION. ............................................................................................................................ 1-6 D. AUTHORIZATION FOR FILING APPLICATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION. .................................. 1-7 1.04 DISTRICT GRADE CROSSING ENGINEER/ADMINISTRATOR'S MEASURES, ROLES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES .............................................................................................................................................. 1-7 A. RAILROAD COORDINATION MEASURES. ......................................................................................................... 1-7 B. PROJECT COSTS. ............................................................................................................................................ 1-8 C. PROJECT ADMINISTRATION. ........................................................................................................................... 1-8 D. CONSTRUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 1-8 E. RAILROAD COORDINATION. ........................................................................................................................... 1-8 F. PUC COORDINATION. .................................................................................................................................... 1-9 G. UTILITIES COORDINATION. ............................................................................................................................. 1-9 H. GCEDMS. .................................................................................................................................................... 1-9 I. ECMS DOCUMENTATION.. .......................................................................................................................... 1-10 J. RAILROAD REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENTS ................................................................................................. 1-10 K. RAILROAD CERTIFICATION.. ......................................................................................................................... 1-10 L. TRAFFIC CONTROL. ..................................................................................................................................... 1-10 M. CONSTRUCTION PLANS. ............................................................................................................................... 1-10 N. QUALITY CONTROL/QUALITY ASSURANCE. ................................................................................................. 1-10 O. CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION ........................................................................................................................ 1-11 P. ADA COMPLIANCE. ..................................................................................................................................... 1-11 Q. RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW (RTKL)................................................................................................................... 1-11 1.05 DEPARTMENT CENTRAL OFFICE ROLES ...................................................................................... 1-11 A. UTILITIES AND RIGHT-OF-WAY SECTION, GRADE CROSSING UNIT. ............................................................. 1-11 B. CENTER FOR PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT. ...................................................................... 1-12 C. DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF CHIEF COUNSEL. .................................................................................................. 1-12 D. POLICY, PROCEDURE, REGULATIONS, AND APPLICABLE LAWS. ................................................................... 1-12 1.06 PROJECT PLANNING, PRIORITIZATION AND PROGRAMMING ............................................. 1-12 A. PLANNING.................................................................................................................................................... 1-12 B. PRIORITIZATION AND PROGRAMMING.. ........................................................................................................ 1-12 1.07 OPERATION LIFESAVER ..................................................................................................................... 1-13 TOC - 1 Table of Contents Publication 371 Grade Crossing Manual CHAPTER 2 ............................................................................................................................................................. 2-1 2.01 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.02 COORDINATION PROCEDURES .......................................................................................................... 2-1 A. STEP 1 SUBMISSION ....................................................................................................................................... 2-1 B. STEP 2 SUBMISSION ....................................................................................................................................... 2-2 C. STEP 3 SUBMISSION ....................................................................................................................................... 2-4 D. COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS .............................................................................................................. 2-6 E. PUBLICATION OF HEARING NOTICE ............................................................................................................... 2-6 F. HEARING PROCEDURES ................................................................................................................................. 2-6 2.03 ACQUISITION OF RAILROAD PROPERTY ....................................................................................... 2-7 A. AMICABLE SETTLEMENT ............................................................................................................................... 2-7 B. APPROPRIATION BY THE PUC ........................................................................................................................ 2-8 C. TIMING OF ACQUISITION ............................................................................................................................... 2-9 D. PREPARATION OF PROPERTY DESCRIPTIONS ................................................................................................