Office of Utilities - Railroads SectionFunctions and ResponsibilitiesThe Railroad Section managed through the Office of Utilities serves seven primary functions:
Please see below for more information regarding these functions:
Railroad Crossing Safety   IntroductionThe Georgia Department of Transportation’s Office of Utilities administers the Federally Funded Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Program by identifying and funding safety enhancement projects at the public highway-rail grade crossings in Georgia. Requirements for this program are documented in 23 CFR 924 and FHWA's Federal Aid Policy Guide dated December 9, 1991. The majority of projects initiated by this office involve the installation of train activated warning devices in the form of bells, lights and gates. Per federal regulations the Department develops a priority list based on information including, but not limited to, traffic volumes, train volumes, level of warning, accident history and school bus traffic. This office is also involved in corridor projects that focus on specific railroad segments to address issues of safety through a combination of the crossing closures, crossing consolidations and/or crossing signalizations. Other special railroad related projects developed by this office include railroad circuitry enhancements, lens upgrades, and signing and/or pavement marking installations and upgrades.
Project ProcessThe Office of Utilities' Railroad Crossing Safety Program is responsible for identifying, prioritizing and developing projects related to safety enhancements at public highway-rail grade crossings. This is primarily accomplished through the initiation and development of stand alone safety and/or corridor projects. The Railroad Crossing Safety Program is also responsible for coordinating preconstruction activities involving the installation of train activated warning devices as part of larger DOT construction projects. While the Department is responsible for all design efforts related to the approaching road facilities, the railroad is responsible for all efforts related to the design of the corresponding warning devices and its components. Upon completing pre-construction activities, the Department prepares and executes an agreement with the railroad for the funding and installation of the warning devices. In most cases the Department funds the project and the railroad installs the devices and is subsequently responsible for the day to day operation and maintenance of the equipment as well. Historically, projects encountering no complications take anywhere from twelve (12) to sixteen (16) months to complete, from initiation to installation. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Links to Related SitesRules and Regulations State Department Of Transportation -Criteria For Elimination Of Highway-Railgrade Crossings - Here is where you will find Rule 672-16 which establishes the procedure for eliminating Highway–Rail grade crossings. The following links provide further information and guidance relevant to this process:
Operation Lifesaver Web Site For more information about Rail/Highway Safety Office of Intermodal Programs – The Office of Intermodal Programs deals with issues involving passenger rail service along with railroad matters pertaining to economic growth within the State of Georgia. The Department of Transportation owns approximately 500 miles of rail line within the State of Georgia. The Intermodal Office handles all activities related to the lease and operating agreements on these lines. This page also contains a link to several railroads that operate in the State of Georgia. Georgia Annotated Code – Here is where you may find legislation pertaining to safety at railroad crossings. Information for Railroads can be found under Title 32: "Highways, Bridges and Ferries", Chapter 6: "Regulations of Maintenance and Use of Public Roads Generally", Article 6: "Public Utilities", Part 2: "Railroads." Code of Federal Regulations – Here is the Federal Highway Administration’s Code of Federal Regulations. This is the Code that governs our section. Federal Railroad Administration – The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) main goal is to enforce and promote railroad safety guidelines. Georgia Railroad Association – The Georgia Railroad Association is an organization of the Railroads within the State of Georgia. On this page you will be able to find contact information for several railroad companies in Georgia. Federal Highway Administration – The Federal Highway Administration is a part of the Department of Transportation with field offices located across the United States. Their main function is to administer and oversee the use of federal funding for multiple safety programs including the Railroad Safety Crossing Program administered by Georgia and all other State’s Department of Transportation. Vehicle-Train Fatalities Trend Line – A graph depicting the trend of fatal accidents in Georgia between motor vehicles and trains from 1971 to 2005.
Contact our Railroad Crossing Program Manager for more information regarding Railroad Grade Crossing Safety.
Railroad Grade Crossing MaintenanceBackgroundBeginning July 1, 2002, the Georgia Department of Transportation has been charged with investigating, reviewing and issuing orders necessary for purposes of compliance with the maintenance requirements of the Official Code of Georgia, Annotated (O.C.G.A.) Sections 32-6-190, 202 & 203, otherwise known as HB 1382. O.C.G.A only covers grade crossings on public roads. Private grade crossings are not addressed by HB 1382 or the directive referenced below. The law (O.C.G.A. Sections 32-6-190 , 202 & 203) provides that if a local government formally requests a railroad to better maintain a crossing and the railroad fails to do so to the local government's satisfaction, then the local government can file a written request (with a $500 fee) for review by the Georgia Department of Transportation. To this end, the Georgia Department of Transportation will determine if the requested maintenance action is needed. If the Georgia Department of Transportation determines that the requested action is required, the railroad will be ordered to perform the required maintenance or may be subject to civil penalty.
GDOT Directive on Railroad Crossing MaintenanceProvided below is the directive (GDOT Policy # 6865-10) created by the Georgia Department of Transportation in response to the requirements documented in the O.C.G.A. This directive provides guidance in resolving disputes between Railroads and Governing Authorities over matters relating to maintenance of crossing surfaces on all public road / railroad grade crossings now in existence and those which may hereafter be established. Duty of Railroads to Maintain Grade Crossings
Railroad Owner Contact List for Maintenance RequestsLocal governments shall use the map and contact list provided below to directly contact the responsible Railroad prior to contacting the Georgia Department of Transportation regarding any railroad crossing maintenance issues involving county roads and city streets: Map of Railway System in the State of Georgia Railroad Maintenance Contact List
Contact our State Railroad Liaison Engineer for more information regarding Railroad Grade Crossing Maintenance.
Railroad Coordination Activities on Active Department ProjectsThe State Railroad Liaison Engineer is responsible for providing centralized coordination and handling between the Department and two mainline railroads; about 20 short line or local railroads; cities and counties; the Federal Highway Administration; and others for Roadway & Bridge projects and certain other activities that involve facilities and property of railroads operating in the state. Please see the checklist below for the information required to be submitted with all railroad coordination submittals. This checklist needs to be completed, signed, and submitted by the GDOT Project Manager for all plan submittals. GDOT Railroad Plan Submittal Checklist Please contact the State Railroad Liaison Engineer for more information regarding project coordination requirements.
Permitting Railroad Grade Crossings
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION