1. Grade Crossing Handbook

2. Session will touch on: Grade Crossings Regulations and Standards
Why create a handbook /Purpose
Contents of Handbook
Comments / questions

3. Grade Crossings Regulations
Came into force November 28, 2014.
Incorporation by reference of the Grade Crossings Standards
provide minimum technical standards and testing requirements
Need to create an all encompassing Grade Crossing Handbook, to serve as a one stop shop.

4. The Handbook Purpose
This document was 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 the 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.

5. The handbook purpose Continued
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 includes 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.

6. Contents Part A- Preface Background- Why the need for regulations?
Objectives- Safer grade crossings and foster collaboration
Interpretation- extensive list of technical terms defined
Citations- by reference materials (ITE, AREMA, TAC, etc.)

7. Part B- Design Standards
Contents
Part B- Design Standards
Crossing Surface (width and condition)
Road Geometry (angles and grades)
Sightlines (Minimum requirements and Guide)
Signs- (Emergency notification, low ground clearance, second train event warning, etc. )
Warning system specs (when and where, warrants depending on operational characteristics)

8. Part C- Design Calculations
Contents
Part C- Design Calculations
Design considerations
Clearance distance
Departure times for motorists and pedestrians
Gate arm clearance time (who's responsible)
Location of Grade Crossings
New vs existing requirements
Proximity to intersection road (roundabouts, signalized intersections, pathways, etc.)

9. Part D- Warning System Design- General
Contents
Part D- Warning System Design- General
Warning system operation (orientation and appearance)
Number and location of light units / alignment ( back lights, front lights, cantilevered light units, where and where required)
Bells and gates (Where and why and timing)
Circuitry (minimum warning time, consistent warning time, cut out circuits and stick circuits)
Inspection and testing railway requirements (frequencies and record keeping)

10. Part E – Interconnected Devices
Contents
Part E – Interconnected Devices
Prepare to stop at railway crossings signs (operation and design)
Interconnection of traffic signals (operation and design)
AREMA / ITE / MUTCD references
Transport Canada’s Guideline for inspection and testing pre-emption of interconnected traffic control signals and grade crossing warning systems coming soon
Inspection and testing Road Authority requirements (frequencies)

11. Contents Part F – General
General requirements (security, identification
Temporary protection measures (joint responsibility, all activities that have the potential to effect safe railway operations, malfunctions)
Scenario examples provided
Exemption / Notice of railway Works and resumption of use (how it may effect the road authorities)
Sharing of information requirements (timelines, requirements and job aids)
Grade Separation (warrants/guidelines/best engineering practice, currently under development)
Maze Barriers and Guide Fencing (examples, where and why)

12. Guide currently being developed
Contents
Part G
Grade Crossing Safety Assessments
Recommended frequencies
When and why
Reference material
Guide currently being developed

13. Contents Part H - Appendices LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) SIGNAL MODULES
LIMITED USE WARNING SYSTEMS AND SIGNS
LIMITED USE WARNING SYSTEM WITH WALK LIGHT
WHISTLING CESSATION
DETERMINING MINIMUM SIGHTLINES AT GRADE CROSSINGS
RAIL SAFETY REGIONAL CONTACTS
SHARING OF INFORMATION FORM ROAD AUTHORITY
SHARING OF INFORMATION FORM RAILWAY
CANADIAN GRADE CROSSING DETAILED SAFETY ASSESSMENT FIELD GUIDE
TESTING REQUIREMENTS (RAILWAY)
TESTING REQUIREMENTS (ROAD AUTHORITY)
GUIDELINE FOR INSPECTING AND TESTING PRE-EMPTION OF INTERCONNECTED TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS AND GRADE CROSSING WARNING SYSTEMS

14. Grade crossing handbook
Now available at a website near you…
Yay us….

15. Comments / Suggestions
Any comments or suggestions regarding the Grade Crossings Regulations, Grade Crossings Standards or the guidance material contained in the Grade Crossing Handbook should be addressed to Transport Canada Rail Safety Directorate. Phone: Toll-free: RAIL ( ) Fax: Mailing Address: Transport Canada Rail Safety Branch Mailstop: ASR 427 Laurier Street West Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5