Xerxes Avenue Railroad Signals and Gate Arms

Railroad Crossing Safety Background

The objective in crossing safety evaluations is to improve the safety and operations for both intersecting transportation modes: railroad and roadway. While drivers of motor vehicles have the flexibility of altering their path of travel and can alter their speed within a short distance, train operators are restricted to moving their trains down a fixed path with changes in speed accomplished much more slowly. Because of this, motorists tend to bear most of the responsibility for avoiding collisions with trains and the majority of crossing safety improvements focus on providing road users with information regarding the crossing.

While vehicle/train collisions are very infrequent at most crossings, the chance of death or serious injury when a crash occur is 11 times greater than other roadway collisions. Safety improvements that prevent vehicle/train collisions are an obvious benefit to the public. Other benefits include reduced vehicular delays and better access for emergency vehicles.
(Source: U.S Dept of Transporation FHWA Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Handbook)

Additional information may also be found on the MnDOT Rail Safety website external link .

Project Background

In general, two types of traffic control devices are used at roadway/railroad crossings:

devices that identify the crossing location, or
devices that identify the crossing location and provide notice of whether or not a train is approaching or occupying a crossing.

Since 2003 the City has systematically requested an average of one review per year of roadway/railroad crossings within Bloomington to determine the appropriate warning device for a crossing.

In 2007 a multi-agency review (MnDOT, City, Railroad) was performed at the Xerxes crossing which identified railroad crossing signals and gate arms as the appropriate warning device for the crossing.

The review was requested by the City as part of a continued effort by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), in cooperation with federal, county, city and railroad agencies, to improve roadway-railroad crossing safety in Minnesota.

The current signs and pavement markings in place at the Xerxes crossing indicate only that a crossing is present and relay the same message to motorists regardless of whether or not a train is approaching. Railroad signals and gate arms will identify the presence of the crossing and also indicate to drivers and pedestrians a train is indeed approaching.

Access

Xerxes Avenue will remain open to vehicle traffic throughout the duration of the project, however, periodic lane closures may occur. Access to driveways will be maintained at all times. It is expected that sidewalk closures will occur; however, only one side will be closed at a time.

Private Utilities

Near the railroad crossing overhead lines and poles will be moved from the east to the west side of Xerxes Avenue.

Signal and Gate Arm Operation

After railroad signals and gate arms have been installed, the existing stop signs at the Xerxes crossing will be removed. When a train approaches the crossing, the flashing signal lights will begin and the gate arm will be lowered.

During the time flashing signal lights are operating, a bell is required to sound a warning; however, the bell will sound at the same time as the train horn and stop once the head of the train reaches Xerxes Avenue. The train horn will continue to sound as it does currently while the train travels through the intersection. The in place railroad crossing signs and pavement markings in advance of the tracks will remain to assist in identifying the location of the crossing.

City traffic staff will be gathering speed, volume and video data at the crossing in order to compare conditions before and after installation of the crossing signals and gate arms.

Project Funding

The project is funded through the MnDOT Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Safety Improvement Program. The program uses federal funding that is provided annually to Medoc for rail safety improvement projects through the Federal Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). Federal funding pays for 90% of the project cost with City funds contributing the remaining 10%.

Project Schedule

In March 2011 a notice to proceed with installation of signals and gate arms at the Xerxes crossing was issued by MnDOT to the railroad company.

Private utility relocations are expected to begin early November. Installation by the railroad of conduit and concrete foundations for the gate arms and signals will begin, weather depending, following completion of utility relocations mid to late November.

It is anticipated that concrete foundation and conduit work will be mostly complete this fall. Placement of the gates and signals on top of the concrete foundations is expected to occur spring 2012 with full operation of the signal and gate arms by end of spring 2012.

For more information, contact:

Tom Bowlin, Civil Engineer - Transportation
1700 W. 98th Street
PH: 952-563-4914, FAX: 952-563-4868
E-mail: towlin@ci.bloomington.mn.us

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