FDOT issues directive to improve rail crossing safety

Preventing additional fatalities on or near rail crossings on state roads and state-owned land crossings is the explicit goal of a new directive issued by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

FDOT will tackle the challenge of enhanced crossing safety through improved design, a statewide data-driven safety campaign and continued community partnerships.

“One fatality on our rail crossings is one too many, and I am committed to doing everything I can as secretary to prevent additional tragedies from occurring across our state,” said FDOT Secretary Kevin J. Thibault.

Data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) shows that Florida is ranked sixth in the total number of crossing incidents in 2018. FRA’s preliminary data for January-September 2019 shows the state is currently third in the total number of crossing incidents and crossing fatalities. It is fourth in crossing injuries for which Indiana is ahead by one.

“FDOT has been empowered to implement bold ideas that will increase the safety of our transportation system, and I am confident today’s directive not only exceeds industry safety standards, but it also designates Florida as a nationwide leader in rail safety,” said Secretary Thibault.

The crossing directive includes five key actions including:

• Begin immediate implementation of dynamic envelopes, an engineering countermeasure to ensure a train and its cargo have enough clearance, at every existing FDOT roadway and state-owned land rail crossing in the state;
• Require the inclusion of a dynamic envelope in the standard design of any future railroad crossings on FDOT roadways or state-owned land rail crossings;
• Launch a data-driven statewide rail safety education initiative. “Operation STRIDE” (Statewide Traffic and Railroad Initiative using Dynamic Envelopes) will be conducted in conjunction with rail partners to include earned social and digital media;
• Partner with state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol, sheriffs and police chiefs, to help enforce rail safety laws; and
• Continue to partner with local and private rail partners by sharing FDOT rail safety design standards and framework and encouraging their participation and implementation of the safety and engineering efforts.

In 2014 and 2017, FDOT conducted dynamic envelope pilot programs in south and central Florida, respectively. Following the installation of the dynamic envelope, traffic data indicated that the number of vehicles that stopped on or too close to rail crossings was reduced by at least 15 percent.

FDOT has tasked each district with completing an inventory of all railroad crossing, which is expected to total more than 4,000 statewide and develop an execution plan to complete installation of all dynamic envelopes prior to March 2022. FDOT says it will absorb the estimated cost of nearly $60 million over the next three fiscal years.

“This announcement truly showcases that FDOT is committed to keeping those who utilize the state’s transportation system safe and could serve as a national model,” said Florida Transportation Commission Chairman, Ronald Howse.

In November, FRA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would require all states, as well as the District of Columbia, to develop and implement a new or updated highway-rail grade-crossing action plan. The action plans would enable states to prioritize infrastructure and equipment investments at railway crossings using a variety of resources, including federal formula funds and grants.