Grade Crossing Safety: “All of the Above”Jamie RennertJamie Rennert

Director, Office of Program Delivery, FRA

CBS News Clip Featuring FRA Administrator Feinberg 

AgendaAgenda

2 Recent Accomplishments

1. Purpose and Need

3 Current Projects

2. Recent Accomplishments

3. Current Projects

4. Future Initiatives/Funding g

GX Accidents in Decline…Since 2006, fatalities at U.S. crossings have declined.

GX Accidents in Decline…

2015 saw Fatalities Decrease

~ 34%

There were 244* fatalities at highway-rail crossings. That is roughly equivalent to the passenger load of a large aircraft.

2015 saw Fatalities Decrease…

p g g.

Recent high profile collisions at

…..And Several High Profile AccidentsRecent, high-profile collisions at highway-rail grade crossings have highlighted the continued need for all of us to remain vigilant about highway-rail

d i f t….Any accident is one too many.

Current as of 9/1/15

grade crossing safety..

The Department of Transportation is dedicated to eliminating fatalities on our nation’s railroads by working Toward Zero Deaths.Current as of 9/1/15

*As of February 11th, 2016

Railroad Crossing deaths, injuries, & incidents from 2006‐2015*

Over the past ten years, fatalities at highway‐rail grade crossings decreased approximately 24%.  While this downward trend is positive, the FRA remains as determined as ever to work towards zero deaths.  

*As of March 10, 2016

Railroad Crossing Collisions and Fatalities: A 5 Year Map

AgendaAgenda

1. Purpose and Need

2 Recent Accomplishments2. Recent Accomplishments

3 Current Projects3. Current Projects

4. Future Initiatives/Funding g

Piedmont Improvement Program

Bowers to Lake‐Upper Lake Rd Bridge Grade Separation

Grier Road Grade SeparationBridge Grade Separation

Tower 55 Project 

BEFORE: Old route to school via Peach Street GX

AFTER: New Route to school via Gounah St Underpass

Illinois HSR ProjectIllinois HSR Project

Four Quadrant Gates Pedestrian Gates

AgendaAgenda

2 Recent Accomplishments

1. Purpose and Need

3 Current Projects

2. Recent Accomplishments

3. Current Projects

4. Future Initiatives/Funding g

Grade Crossing Task ForceGrade Crossing Task ForceReduce incidents, injuries, and fatalities at grade crossings

5 M j F A

Data, Analysis, and

R h

5 Major Focus Areas

Research

E i iProgram EngineeringProgram Improvement

EducationEnforcement EducationEnforcement

Data, Analysis, and Research Focus AreaData, Analysis, and Research Focus AreaObjective: Better understand grade crossing accidents, fatalities, and injuries to ensure development of appropriate countermeasures and focus for future research and outreach.

data, analysis, data, analysis, and researchand research

• Grade Crossing Location Clean‐Up• Tech Company Coordination • FRA Internal Data Analysis • Correlate and Causal Analysis

engineeringengineering

• Correlate and Causal Analysis• Predictive Modeling 

educationeducation

programprogram

enforcementenforcement

program program improvementimprovement

Engineering Focus AreaEngineering Focus AreaObjective: Provide up‐to‐date improved engineering standards and best practices for safety improvements at grade crossings.

data, analysis, data, analysis, and researchand research

engineeringengineering• Traffic Preemption• Blocked Crossing Study• Grade Crossing Handbook Update

educationeducation

programprogram

enforcementenforcement

program program improvementimprovement

Highway Rail Grade Crossing HandbookHighway Rail Grade Crossing Handbook

• Last update: 2007

Highway‐Rail Grade Crossing Handbook:

Last update: 2007• Used by State, regional, and local level 

stakeholders• Reference document, not a standard

About the Handbook

gThird  Edition

FRA and FHWA working together to create a new “Handbook”• Current

Updates toCurrent

• Interactive design• More frequent updates 

the Handbook

• Input from stakeholders welcome through September 2016

• Email Debra Chappell for more information (Debra Chappell@dot gov)

Next Steps 

(Debra.Chappell@dot.gov)

Education Focus AreaEducation Focus AreaObjective: Educate partners, stakeholders, and the wider public about grade crossing safety to improve awareness, understanding, and safer behavior.

data, analysis, data, analysis, and researchand research

engineeringengineering• Motorist/Pedestrian Outreach

educationeducationoto st/ edest a Out eac

• Continued Support of Operation Lifesaver, Inc.• Website Improvements

programprogram

enforcementenforcement

program program improvementimprovement

Website Improvements 

https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0841

Enforcement Focus AreaEnforcement Focus AreaObjective: Develop enforcement strategies for improving grade crossing safety through enhanced law enforcement and regulatory compliance.

data, analysis, data, analysis, and researchand research

engineeringengineering

educationeducation

• National Working Group

programprogram

enforcementenforcementNational Working Group

• First Responder Videos• “Take 10” Campaign

program program improvementimprovement

Program Improvement Focus AreaProgram Improvement Focus AreaObjective: Improve safety at high risk grade crossings through grant management and collaborative efforts with other agencies and organizations.

data, analysis, data, analysis, and researchand research

engineeringengineering

educationeducation

enforcementenforcement

programprogram• STEP GX Project Selection

St k h ld E tprogram program improvementimprovement

• Stakeholder Engagement• Section 130 Coordination• State Action Plans

State Action PlansState Action Plans

Original Requirement:  • 10 StatesRSIA2008, Section 202 • Based on 3 items of interest

New Requirement: FAST Act, Section 11401 • FRA and FHWA collaborating on requirements

Currently Available: State Action Plan Resource Guide

• Available until Model State Action Plan is available• Located on the FRA website 

Resource Guide

Under Development: M d l St t A ti Pl

• Per NTSB recommendation from Miriam, NV crashModel State Action Plan • Model Plan available later in 2016

AgendaAgenda

2 Recent Accomplishments

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Funding Availability: FY 2015g y

$10M$220M

$10M

Section 130

STEP GX Funding

Freight and Highway g yProjects 

Railroad Safety Grants

22

Funding Availability: FAST Act + FY16 g y

• FY16: $350M• FY17: $230M

FY16: $6.5M

NHTSA Ad Campaign

FY17: $230MFY16: $11.1B

Campaign

Section 130

Surface Transportation Block Grant

TIGER Grants

Freight and Highway Grants  g yProjects 

FY16: $800M

Railroad Safety Grants

23FY16: $25M

FY16: $800MFY16: $500M

How can FRA help your State improve Grade Crossing Safety?How can FRA help your State improve Grade Crossing Safety?

Layering funds sources1

Providing additional data2 Providing additional data2

Overcoming obstacles to solutions3

QUESTIONS?