The DOT National Crossing Inventory File...Establishing a National Database 1972-1974 The AAR,...
Transcript of The DOT National Crossing Inventory File...Establishing a National Database 1972-1974 The AAR,...
The DOT National CrossingThe DOT National CrossingInventory FileInventory File
Eastern Region Highway-RailCrossing Safety Conference
Albany, New YorkOctober 2 - 4, 2007
Thomas P. WollFederal Railroad Administration
Office of Safety
DOT National HighwayDOT National Highway--RailRailCrossing InventoryCrossing Inventory
Background, Purpose and GoalsHow it Works & RequirementsNumbering and Filing for New CrossingsResponsibilities for UpdatingUpdating for States and Railroads, and for Public
Authorities (QZ)New Importance for Homeland SecurityHow to get Data –PCAPS, WBAPS, GX, etc.Outreach Effort to add Data Fields & Changes
BackgroundBackground
Original Inventory Started January 1, 1975Contains both Current and Historical RecordsCurrently, 2.2 Million Records in the File 1975 had 365,000 at-grade Crossings 2007 has 233,000 at-grade Crossings Process 80K to 100K Updates per Year Submittals Received from 50 States and 650
Railroads
Establishing a National DatabaseEstablishing a National Database
1972-1974 The AAR, ASLRA, States, FHWA,NHTSA & FRA developed:–the DOT/AAR Crossing Inventory Numbering System,–the Operating Procedures and Database
FRA is the Custodian for the States and Railroadsfor their National Inventory Data File
This is YOUR (States & Railroads) Inventory.FRA only updates it with YOUR data.
Purpose & GoalsPurpose & Goals 1973 Federal-Aid Highway Act (Section 203)
requires each State to maintain a StateInventory of all crossings
And maintain the National Inventory– States may maintain just National File– Act also requires a Priority List of Improvements
Purpose is to Provide Information to Governmentsand Railroads for Safety Improvement
Merge Data with Accident Files to plan Safetyimprovements –Accident Prediction Model
2001 - Support Homeland Security and the Inventoryis critical for supporting ENS (1-800) Program
Delivering Results:Delivering Results:Collisions, Fatalities and ExposureCollisions, Fatalities and Exposure
0
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1500
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30007
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Rail (million train miles) X Hwy Volume (trillion hwy miles)
Collisions X 10
Fatalities
(= quadrillion) = Exposure
ExposureExposure
How it worksHow it worksCurrently, it is a Voluntary Program (but not for long)Every Crossing shall have a DOT Crossing Number
–Six (6) digits followed by an alphabetical character–Number is like a “street-name sign”
Coincides with Inventory Data in the File– Information on Location, Classification, Physical
Characteristics, Traffic Control Devices, Railroad data,Highway data.
Posted on both sides of the Crossing–Responsibility for posting is the Railroad–Aluminum motorcycle license-plate size–Alternative posting on ENS Sign
Inventory FormInventory Form
RequirementsRequirements (for it to work)(for it to work)
Every Railroad & State Agency needs to maintainan Inventory of all Crossings
Each Crossing must be assigned a DOT InventoryNumber which is posted at the Crossing
–Private Company Rail Yards, Docks, etc.–Railroad Yards can have just one (1) Number
DOT Number is Required on Accident Reports–“So, inventory ALL of your crossings now, and there
will not be a problem later.”
Initial Numbering and FilingInitial Numbering and Filing
Responsibility of the Operating RailroadPublic at-grade: Complete Parts I –IV and
forward to the State to complete Part VPrivate: Complete Part I and send to FRA
–Send copy to State
FRA only accepts Inventory Updatesfrom the State Inventory Contacts or
the Railroad Inventory Contacts
Responsibility for UpdatingResponsibility for Updating
Responsibility is both State and Railroad- Whenever any characteristics change- As a minimum, review and update data at
least every three years to keep File currentResponsibility for QZ is the Public Authority
–For a Pre-Rule Quiet Zone–To create a New Quiet Zone–Must provide updated crossing inventory data
prior to use of the QZ Calculator
How to Update for PublicHow to Update for PublicAuthoritiesAuthorities ––a 3 Step Processa 3 Step Process
(1) Use Crossing Inventory Form F-6180.71- Or Current Inventory Record printout- Reference FRA’s Website for a copy of the
Form, Instructions and Contact List (Stateand Railroad), and other information.
(2) Perform a Site Survey –obtain updated data- Contact the Railroad and State for correct
current information(3) Forward Updated Form/Record to the State
Inventory Contact to verify and send to FRA
Send Hardcopy by emailSend Hardcopy by email
Hardcopy Updates can be sent via email
Use pdf Format
Send to:
Inaccurate DataInaccurate Data ––““MismatchesMismatches””A Big ProblemA Big Problem
Example of Accident Data for 2002-2003 151 Accident Reports that have NO Inventory Record 290 have different Warning Devices (active/passive)
40 were Closed at time of Accident 19 were Grade Separated 11 were in different States 143 were in different Counties
Railroad Accident Reporting Officers Need of Verifythe Accident Reports with the National Inventory FileBEFORE Filing, and make any necessary corrections.
New Importance of InventoryNew Importance of Inventorysince September 11since September 11thth
HOMELAND SECURITYHOMELAND SECURITY Private Crossings must be included for 911 Centers.Data Files are downloaded from National File
–Need Accurate DataCorrect Crossing Location and OwnershipCorrect Emergency Railroad Contact
How can a Railroad be contacted about a Security Breech?Where am I ? - Crossing Number identifies LocationWhat Railroad ? - Which Railroad owns this Crossing ?Who do I contact ? - What is the telephone number
to report a Problem ?
Sign for State of TexasSign for State of TexasPosted on Signal MastPosted on Signal Mast
InstalledInstalled ““SEDASEDA--COGCOG””ENS SignsENS Signs
Public CrossingPublic Crossing Private CrossingPrivate Crossing
Sign PostedSign Postedwhere there is no Postwhere there is no Post
Availability of CrossingAvailability of CrossingInventory DataInventory Data
How to get Crossing Inventory Data from FRA?How to get Crossing Inventory Data from FRA?
Current Availability of DataCurrent Availability of Data
Website (.dbf file)http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/officeofsafety/
–Current and Historical RecordsGX32 (.mdb Access file)
–obtain directly from our Contractor CITIWBAPS (Web Based Accident Prediction
System)PCAPS (Personal Computer Accident
Prediction System)
Website Inventory DataWebsite Inventory DataFRA Home PageFRA Home Page -- www.fra.dot.govwww.fra.dot.gov
Website Inventory DataWebsite Inventory DataSafety Data Home PageSafety Data Home Page
Website Inventory DataWebsite Inventory Data
Website Inventory DataWebsite Inventory Data
Website Inventory DataWebsite Inventory Data
Website Inventory DataWebsite Inventory Data
Website Inventory DataWebsite Inventory Data ––Download DataDownload Data
Current Availability of DataCurrent Availability of Data
Website (.dbf file)GX32 (.mdb Access file)
–obtain directly from our Contractor CITI
WBAPS (Web Based AccidentPrediction System)
PCAPS (Personal Computer AccidentPrediction System)
GX32 Software PackageGX32 Software Package
GX32 Software PackageGX32 Software Package
Current Availability of DataCurrent Availability of Data
Website (.dbf file)GX32 (.mdb Access file)WBAPS (Web Based Accident
Prediction System)PCAPS (Personal Computer Accident
Prediction System)
WBAPSWBAPSWWebeb BBasedased AAccidentccident PPredictionrediction SSystemystem
Basically the same as PCAPSProvides a Ranking of Crossings by the
highest Risk of Predicted AccidentsBased on fixed Inventory Characteristics and
5 Years of Accident Data2 Versions of Accident Data
(1) Fixed 5 Years of “Annual”Data(2) Floating 60 Months of “Cyclic”Data
WBAPSWBAPSAccident Prediction ModelAccident Prediction Model
WBAPS (continued)WBAPS (continued)
WBAPS (continued)WBAPS (continued)
WBAPSWBAPS ––Ranked ListRanked List
Current Availability of DataCurrent Availability of Data
Website (.dbf file)GX32 (.mdb Access file)WBAPS (Web Based Accident
Prediction System)PCAPS (Personal Computer Accident
Prediction System)
PCAPSPCAPSPPersonalersonal CComputeromputer AAccidentccident PPredictionrediction SSystemystem
Basically the same as WBAPS
Allows for Corridor Analysis
Allows to play “what if”games- built in calculator
What is coming?What is coming?
New Inventory Form Additional Data Elements Revised File Structure New Instructions Legislation making the
Inventory Mandatory
Four OUTREACH MEETINGSFour OUTREACH MEETINGS20012001--20022002
““A Dialogue to Identify and Explore NewA Dialogue to Identify and Explore NewIdeas and Ways for Future ImprovementIdeas and Ways for Future Improvement””
Dallas, TX, November 8, 2001Washington, DC, March 5, 2002Chicago, IL May 7, 2002Los Angeles, CA June 25, 2002
History of Outreach EffortHistory of Outreach EffortNov 2001 to June 2002 - Four Outreach Meetings Sept 1, 2006 –Contractor Analyzes Suggested ChangesDec 15, 2006 –Prepared Report Categorizing
Changes into Three Groups: (1) Accepted,(2) Rejected, (3) Open for Additional Discussion
Dec 20, 2006 –Report emailed to States and RailroadsRequesting Review and Comment
Jan 2007 –Resent Report to States and Railroads February 2007 –Contractor telephoned all States and
Railroads again Requesting Review and CommentMarch 15, 2007 –Final Comments and Responses
were ReceivedApril 15, 2007 –Comments Compiled for Final Review
by FRA to Determine Planned Changes
Responses ReceivedResponses Received
Received 30 Responsesfrom 23 States and 6 Railroads
Railroads Responding: BNSF, CN, CSX, LIRR, NS,UP
States Responding: AL, AZ, CA, DE, GA (2), IL,IO, KS, LA, MD, MA, MN, MS, NJ, NY,OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, VA, WV, WI
Some responses provided many good suggestionsthat are being considered and incorporated.
Next StepsNext Steps
Complete Determination of Accepted and RejectedChanges
Prepare List of Changes and Proposed copy ofNew Inventory Form
Disseminate to State and Railroad InventoryContacts, and put on FRA’s Website for finalComment
Review and Consider any final Comments Prepare final New Form Prepare New Instructions and Field Specifications Publish and set Effective Date for Implementation
Probable Accepted RevisionsProbable Accepted RevisionsWhat do we need at the National Level ?What do we need at the National Level ?
Initiating Agency: Add TransitCrossing Number: Move to Right-hand CornerReason for Update: Add
Abandoned Out of Service/Inactive Transfer (to New Operating Railroad Company) Administrative Correction (fix errors) Re-Open Date Change Only
Multiple Oper. RR’s: (will probably not Accept) 2nd Operating Railroad Company
Div, Sub-Div, Branch, Milepost, RRID,Train Counts Will Move Field “Does another RR Operate over Track”
Railroad Milepost: Add space for Prefix & Suffix
Probable Accepted RevisionsProbable Accepted Revisions(continued)(continued) Increase many Field Lengths –e.g., Street Name, RRID, Change “Type of Passenger Service”to
“Type of Train Service”: Add & ‘Check all that apply’:Freight (default);Amtrak,Commuter,Transit,Light Rail Shared,Tourist/Other
Move “ENS Sign Installed”to Highway Signs Section Quiet Zone: FRA only will populate this field Crossing User: Highway Vehicle OR Pedestrian/Other Crossing Type: Public OR Private Position (same): At-grade OR RR Over OR RR Under
Probable Accepted RevisionsProbable Accepted Revisions(continued)(continued)Average Passenger Train Count:
Add Check box for: ‘Less than One Train per Day’
Add Update Year to: Train Counts & HighwayCounts
Combine ‘Private Crossing Category’and ‘Type ofDevelopment’and
Change Farm to ‘Farm/Open Space’ Add: ‘Institutional’(e.g., Military and Educational Facilities, etc.)
Delete:County Reference Map (use Item 29.D. ‘State Use’) Is Commercial Power Available (of little use)
Add: “USNG Number”FRA will calculate this from the Latitude/Longitude Values
Probable Accepted RevisionsProbable Accepted Revisions(continued)(continued)Emergency Contact, Railroad Contact, State
ContactFRA will populate these fields with knowntelephone numbers if data is not provided.
Highway Traffic Control Devices: AddYield SignPre-SignalAdvanced Warning Signs; W10-2, -3, -4, -5
–Boxes to checkCrossing Surface –Provide for multiple surfaces Plus lots of Clarifications in the Instructions
What is Still Needed?What is Still Needed?Legislation to make the Inventory Mandatory
–Is in process
Define Required Fields (see “Responsibility Table”)
– Important for Updating if Inventory is Mandatory
Primary Responsibility for the Updating of each DataField is defined in the Responsibility Table
When Railroads change Warning Devices– It is the Railroad’s Responsibility to Notify the State and
FRA of the change.
How to Start UpdatingHow to Start Updatingfor Data Reconciliationfor Data Reconciliation
Agree on Crossing Numbers for all OpenCrossings
Agree on Operating Railroads (or States)Agree on State and County LocationAgree on Type: Public or Private
and Position: At-grade or Grade SeparatedAssign New Numbers –Close Others
When Resolved and Data File Agreement is Reached
Then Update the Balance of Data Items
Have QuestionsHave Questionsor Need More Information?or Need More Information?
Contact: Tom [email protected] [email protected]