FRA UpdateFRA Update

2008 Mid-States 2008 Mid-States Highway-Rail Grade Highway-Rail Grade

Crossing Safety Crossing Safety ConferenceConference

May 19, 2008May 19, 2008

Grapevine, TXGrapevine, TX

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OverviewOverview

Focus on Passenger Rail in the MixFocus on Passenger Rail in the Mix Developments to WatchDevelopments to Watch Integrated Transportation Safety Integrated Transportation Safety

PlanningPlanning ResultsResults

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Focus on Passenger RailFocus on Passenger Rail

Context:Context: High speed railHigh speed rail Commuter rail new startsCommuter rail new starts Shared use Shared use Finding the future of intercity railFinding the future of intercity rail

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Focus on Passenger RailFocus on Passenger RailChallenges:Challenges: Optimizing use of scarce rail corridorsOptimizing use of scarce rail corridors Advancing passenger rail without Advancing passenger rail without

creating new capacity choke points on creating new capacity choke points on the freight networkthe freight network

Achieving safety by building it in from the Achieving safety by building it in from the beginningbeginning

Adjusting public and private expectations Adjusting public and private expectations while meeting mobility needs at a cost while meeting mobility needs at a cost we can affordwe can afford

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Focus on Passenger RailFocus on Passenger Rail

Examples:Examples: CalTrain electrificationCalTrain electrification California High Speed RailCalifornia High Speed Rail DesertXpressDesertXpress Austin Metrorail Austin Metrorail UTA FrontRunner UTA FrontRunner

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Developments to Watch Developments to Watch

New Resources:New Resources: Traffic channelizationTraffic channelization Pedestrian safety devicesPedestrian safety devices Trespass Demographic Study – finalTrespass Demographic Study – finalUpcoming:Upcoming: CalTrain Trespass Symposium – report CalTrain Trespass Symposium – report RSAC General Passenger SRSAC General Passenger Safetyafety Task force Task force

2d train2d train Railroad Research Foundation Suicide StudyRailroad Research Foundation Suicide Study

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Developments to Watch Developments to Watch

Better data, better analysis:Better data, better analysis: Pending legislation on National Grade Pending legislation on National Grade

Crossing InventoryCrossing Inventory Building revised form and instructionsBuilding revised form and instructions XML data interchangeXML data interchange

Accident/Incident Reporting amendments Accident/Incident Reporting amendments (June 2008 NPRM)(June 2008 NPRM)

Geo locationGeo location GRADEDECGRADEDEC

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Developments to WatchDevelopments to Watch

Private Crossing InquiryPrivate Crossing Inquiry Final report pendingFinal report pending Decision making within DOT Decision making within DOT

forthcomingforthcoming Final options for discussion Final options for discussion

www.regulations.gov, FRA Docket No. www.regulations.gov, FRA Docket No. 2005-232812005-23281

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Integrated Transportation Integrated Transportation PlanningPlanning

Looking at the wholeLooking at the whole Passenger safetyPassenger safety Employee safetyEmployee safety Public safetyPublic safety

System Safety Management regulatory taskSystem Safety Management regulatory task Collision Hazard Analysis GuideCollision Hazard Analysis Guide

Corridor approachCorridor approach Passenger – freight – public interfacePassenger – freight – public interface

PTCPTC ECP brakesECP brakes

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ResultsResults

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ResultsResults

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ResultsResults

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ResultsResults

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ResultsResults

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QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Ron RiesRon Ries

(202) 493-6285(202) 493-6285

Ronald.rie2dot.govsRonald.rie2dot.govs