Chapter 7 - At Grade Intersections

7.7. Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings

When a Highway-Railroad grade crossing is included on a project, designers should coordinate with the GDOT Railroad Crossing Manager, Railroad Crossing Improvement Unit , in conjunction with concept development for a transportation improvement project.

The designer should be familiar with most current versions of the following resources:

• AASHTO A Policy on the Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (Green Book),  Chapter 9. Intersections
• American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association (AREMA) specifications
• railway company regulations
• GDOT Standard Drawing and Specifications
• FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

A highway-railroad crossing involves either a separation of grades or a crossing at-grade. GDOT strongly encourages consideration of grade separated highway-railroad crossings.  However, topographical and/or right-of-way limitations may make at-grade crossings the more feasible option.

When an at-grade, highway-railroad crossing is included in the design of a roadway construction/reconstruction project, train-activated warning devices (i.e. gates, lights, and bells) shall be included in the design. Train-activated warning devices provide drivers with a positive indication of the presence or the approach of a train at the crossing.

The geometric design of a highway-railroad grade crossing involves the elements of alignment, profile, sight distance, and cross section. The roadway should cross the railroad at- or nearly at- a right angle. The roadway gradient should be flat at- and adjacent to- the railroad crossing to permit vehicles to stop, when necessary, and then proceed across the tracks without difficulty. The vehicle operator can observe an approaching train and bring the vehicle to a stop prior to encroaching into the crossing area.  Also the roadway width at all crossings should be the same as the roadway width approaching the crossing.