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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Additional High-Speed Rail Information
Visit the Program Website:
Visit the Facebook Page:
Call the Program Hotline: IDOT-HSR ( )

10. Thank you!