HSR Crossing Safety Update Elliot A HSR Crossing Safety Update Elliot A. Ramos, PE 2016 SCORT Annual Meeting October 6, 2016 Good Morning,

History: Chicago-St. Louis Corridor Since 1980’s IDOT has been looking at this corridor for high-speed service EIS Completed Record of Decision received in 2004 1992 Designated a HSR Corridor For nearly three decades, IDOT has pursued improvements to passenger rail service between Chicago and St. Louis. IDOT has studied the development of HSR on the corridor since the mid 1980’s The Chicago to St. Louis corridor was designated a HSR corridor in 1992 IDOT completed environmental studies in 2003/2004 Added frequencies in 2006 Awarded ARRA funding in January 2010 Why? Chicago is the rail hub of the Midwest Provides connections: -through Chicago and other Midwest railroad destinations -to major Illinois universities -to Illinois’ state capital Ridership continues to grow

Chicago to St. Louis Corridor with 9 stops in between Current Improvements Between Joliet & East St. Louis 256 Total Grade Crossings 38 Crossing Closures 213 Crossing Construction Scheduled or Completed 5 Crossings outside of 110 limits The corridor runs from Chicago to St. Louis with 9 stops in between. The Illinois High-Speed Chicago to St. Louis Corridor is located along 13 counties (Cook, DuPage, Will, Grundy, Livingston, McLean, Logan, Sangamon, Macoupin, Jersey, Madison, St. Clair, and St. Louis) and has stops in the following cities: Chicago, Summit, Dwight, Pontiac, Bloomington-Normal, Lincoln, Springfield, Carlinville, Alton, and St. Louis. The current improvements are taking place between Joliet and East St. Louis. 13 Counties Cook, DuPage, Will, Grundy, Livingston, McLean, Logan, Sangamon, Macoupin, Jersey, Madison, St. Clair, and St. Louis

Who’s Involved? Project Partners Business Community General Public & Interest Groups Elected Officials Transportation Providers City/County Technical Staff Regional Agencies Project Partners Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Amtrak Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Others Who is participating in the development of the Illinois High-Speed Rail Chicago to St. Louis Project? The Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Department of Intermodal Project Implementation is responsible for the overall project management and the development and implementation of the Chicago to St. Louis service. Project Partners include: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Union Pacific Railroad (UP)- Owner/Dispatcher Amtrak – Service provider Other railroads --Canadian National Railway (CN), Kansas City Southern (KCS), Norfolk Southern (NS), and Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Key representatives from the communities and cities along the corridor. A Project Management Consultant has been retained by IDOT to assist with the development, design, public involvement and implementation of the new service. Once the service has been implemented, the primary responsibility for on-going operations will be by Amtrak/Contract Service Providers. Extensive liaison with IDOT Highways, local agencies, ICC, FRA, and others Crossing Diagnostic Field Meetings and Design Coordination Meetings Detours coordinated with community

Proposed Safety Improvements Four Quadrant Roadway Gates Pedestrian Gates Right-of-Way Fencing SAFETY is TOP CONCERN

Grade Crossing Improvements Four Quadrant Roadway Gates Vehicle detection systems Inductive signal loops embedded in pavement Increased warning time: 80 sec. min. (for 110 mph trains) Improved roadway approaches Traffic signal interconnects New signage and pavement markings New signal systems – Positive Train Control (PTC) Incremental Train Control System (ITCS) Four-quadrant gates New signage and pavement markings Existing warning time 35 seconds No longer delays (train faster) More complex roadway projects and traffic signal projects constructed by IDOT. (Springfield: 2 quad gates, 40mph max) CHALLENGES: coordinating across IDOT Central Office and 5 District offices; Illinois Commerce Commission (agency in Illinois that regulates railroad crossing safety); local communities

Pedestrian Crossings Pedestrian Gates Maintain safe connectivity Fencing w/ escape swing gates ADA accessibility directive signage Crossing safety devices ADA accessibility directive signage Pedestrian crossings Pedestrian gates

Right-of-Way and Pedestrian Fencing Minimize trespassing Fencing typically will be placed within one-foot of the Union Pacific Railroad Right-of-Way: In Urban Areas In Select Rural Areas 6’ high ROW fence 3’ high fence at crossings Fencing committee led by ICC, UPRR Locations selected through more urban areas, show pedestrian characteristics, evidence of trespassing Agreement with UPRR: IDOT pays UPRR to maintain fence

Additional High-Speed Rail Information Visit the Program Website: www.idothsr.org Visit the Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/illinoishighspeedrail Call the Program Hotline: 1-855-IDOT-HSR (436-8477)

Thank you!