NCUTCD AND AREMA INDUSTRY UPDATES NATIONAL HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 6, 2013

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1 NCUTCD AND AREMA INDUSTRY UPDATES NATIONAL HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 6, 2013 [1] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX TX All All rights reserved by by CTC, Inc.,, and may not not be be distributed or or reproduced without permission from CTC, Inc.

2 The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices is a group of over 240 transportation professionals charged with the responsibility to recommend changes to FHWA to update MUTCD. [2] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

3 The Railroad & Light Rail Transit Technical Committee of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices is responsible for proposed changes to MUTCD Part 8. The Technical Committee consists of approximately 60 individuals dedicated to improving Part 8 of MUTCD. [3] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

4 FHWA has advised NCUTCD of the goal to publish an updated Manual in 2016/2017 There is still debate regarding formatting and whether the Manual should be divided into two parts: Standards and Guidance Options, Support and Applications [4] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

5 Gene Hawkins and his Task Force are conducting a NCHRP Project to make recommendations regarding potential format changes to the Manual. The Strategic Plan is out for NCUTCD Sponsoring Agency comments and will be reviewed at the next meeting [5] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

6 Another major effort underway within NCUTCD is the Uniform Vehicle Code and specifically Rules of the Road The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances (NCUTLO) was disbanded approximately 5 years ago. [6] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

7 There have been no updates to the Uniform Vehicle Code since. As a result, the following Traffic Control Devices have no supporting statutes: Red arrows in traffic signals Yellow arrows in traffic signals Flashing yellow arrows in traffic signals [7] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

8 Countdown pedestrian signals New traffic signs New Temporary Traffic Control devices such as AFADs Bicycle signs and markings Changes to support railroad changes such as STOP and YIELD signs at passive grade crossings [8] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

9 The National Committee has established a Rules of the Road Committee to develop recommended changes to UVC. This committee will address changes to UVC to support new traffic control devices that have been added to MUTCD. [9] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

10 The Railroad and Light Rail Transit Technical Committee is working on a number of proposed changes to MUTCD: Sidewalks at Grade Crossings this is an extensive change that has been shepherded by Tim Huya of BNSF. Tim discussed this in detail during his presentation yesterday. [10] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

11 Option left turn lanes at grade crossings Planning for temporary traffic control and detour routes close to and at grade crossings Flashing light pairs Preemption and Interconnection [11] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

12 Pre-signals at grade crossings Queue-cutter signals at grade crossings Train activated advance warning flashers Updates (minor) to STOP & YIELD [12] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

13 Information regarding NCUTCD is available online at [13] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

14 AREMA Updates The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association develops recommended practices for all aspects of railroad engineering. This includes track, bridges and structures as well as signals and grade crossings. [14] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

15 AREMA Updates The committee responsible for active traffic control devices and warning systems at grade crossings is known as Committee 36. Committee 36 meets twice per year and has approximately 110 members. It supports Part 3 and associated sections of the AREMA Communication & Signal Manual of Recommended Practice. [15] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

16 AREMA Updates Committee 36 is chaired by John Sharkey with John Mitchell as Vice Chairman There are presently 3 subcommittees within Committee Controls 36-2 Maintenance & Construction 36-3 Hardware [16] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

17 AREMA Updates 36-1 addresses all aspects of warning systems including: Warning time Train detection systems Grade crossing data recorders Four quadrant gates Preemption and Interconnection [17] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

18 AREMA Updates 36-2 develops procedures to promote consistency regarding all aspects of warning device construction and maintenance including: Review of warning system operation to develop failure trends and analysis Update recommended practices regarding warning system installation Develop test and inspection guidance [18] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

19 AREMA Updates 36-3 is working to develop consistent recommended practices regarding warning devices and components: Signs, brackets and hardware Foundations LED light units Pedestrian devices [19] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

20 AREMA Updates Recent projects include: Updates to warning time elements and calculations Warning device locations Audio frequency track circuits New signal and bungalow foundations Traffic signal preemption Four quadrant gate caontrols [20] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

21 AREMA Updates Upcoming projects include: 5 year upgrade of continuing manual parts for 2015 edition of manual Electronic crossing controller improvements Increased maintenance support [21] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX

22 Saving lives one crossing at a time QUESTIONS? Rick Campbell rcampbell@ctcinc.com Kurt Anderson kanderson@ctcinc.com Janie Hollingsworth jhollingsworth@ctcinc.com [22] 6100 Southwest Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Worth, TX