IIJA Program Changes for Highway Railroad Crossing Safety
Explore the IIJA Program changes for Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety, including information on antiquated equipment replacement, FHWA funding, and improvements to warning devices at railroad crossings. Learn about the funding available for states, the key changes introduced by IIJA, and the survey results on antiquated signal equipment replacement. Discover how the IIJA aims to enhance safety at railroad crossings and prioritize signalizing passive crossings in Iowa.
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Presentation Transcript
Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Program IIJA Programming Changes March 14, 2023
Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Program IIJA Change: Antiquated Equipment Replacement Program Information FHWA Funding available for states to improve warning devices at railroad crossings. (23 USC Section 130) Amount of appropriation funded by FHWA is determined by the number of public crossings in the state. Iowa received approximately $5.7 M annually. Iowa currently has 4,864 public railroad crossings. Primary 8% 742 Separations 2,264 Crossbuck only (Passive) City 45% 1,128 Gates County 47% 702 Flashing Lights 2
Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Program IIJA Change: Antiquated Equipment Replacement IIJA Changes to Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Program 11/15/21: IIJA was passed and became law o The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Pub. L. 117-58, Sec. 11108. Railway- highway grade crossings contained changes to the Section 130 Railroad Crossing Safety program. o Part 924 of title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations (23 CFR Part 924), continues the annual set-aside for railway-highway crossing improvements under 23 USC 130(e). The funds are set-aside from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) apportionment. 5/23/22: FHWA provided IIJA changes guidance to states o Included three key changes to the Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Program (23 USC, Section 130) Projects can be funded at 100% - (Presented to the Transportation Commission - August 2022) Railroad crossing closure incentive match increases from $7,500 to $100,000 per railroad crossing. (Presented to the Transportation Commission - August 2022) Replacement of antiquated signal equipment can now be funded. (Presented to the Transportation Commission and advised that we would survey the railroads and come back to the Transportation Commission with a funding recommendation. August 2022) 3
Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Program IIJA Change: Antiquated Equipment Replacement Replacement of Antiquated Equipment We have received survey results from the top seven railroads with the most railroad crossings in the state. Antiquated Signal Equipment Replacement Survey 8/1/2022 # of antiquated # of signalized crossings Railroad % of Signalized Approx. Cost crossings on RR system in IA Crossings Antiquated Antiquated Replacement $12,255,000 BNSF 43 316 14% $8,265,000 CCP/ CEDR 29 310 9% $37,050,000 DME 130 363 36% $14,820,000 CRANDIC 52 62 84% $39,900,000 IAIS 140 218 64% $13,110,000 IANR 46 112 41% $57,855,000 UP 203 877 23% $183,255,000 643 2258 39% (Avg) 4
Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Program IIJA Change: Antiquated Equipment Replacement Replacement of Antiquated Equipment IIJA did not increase the Section 130 annual appropriation Existing Signal Maintenance Safety fund for $700,000 Goal to improve safety at passive railroad crossings According to 49CFR, Part 234, (Grade Crossing Signl System Safety) once constructed, costs associated with the maintenance of the railroad crossing signals are the responsibility of the railroad. There are 2,264 passive railroad crossings in Iowa. Priority is to signalize passive railroad crossings Survey of railroads indicated that 643 railroad crossings in Iowa have antiquated equipment The cost to replace all of the components for antiquated railroad crossing signal systems would be $183,255,000, based on an average cost of $285,000 for each railroad crossing 5
Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Program IIJA Change: Antiquated Equipment Replacement Recommendation The Modal Transportation Bureau recommends that antiquated railroad crossing signal equipment not be funded as stand-alone projects. If antiquated signal equipment at an adjacent railroad crossing prevents the upgrade of a Section 130 funded project because the two railroad crossing systems would not be able to communicate; then upgrading the antiquated signal equipment at the adjacent railroad crossing to communicate with the project railroad crossing would be permissible. 6
QUESTIONS? Kristopher Klop Manager, Highway-Rail Crossing Programs kristopher.klop@iowadot.us
