PART 234—GRADE CROSSING SAFETY
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Activation failure means the failure ofan active highway-rail grade crossing warning system to indicate the approach of a train at least 20 seconds prior to the train’s arrival at the crossing,or to indicate the presence of a train occupying the crossing, unless the crossing is provided with an alternative means of active warning to highway users of approaching trains.(This failure indicates to the motorist that it is safe to proceed across the railroad tracks when, in fact, it is not safe to do so.) A grade crossing signal system does not indicate the approach of a train within the meaning of this paragraph if—more than 50% of the flashing lights (not gate arm lights) on any approach lane to the crossing are not functioning as intended, or in the case of an approach lane for which two or more pairs of flashing lights are provided,there is not at least one flashing  light pair operating as intended. Back lights on the far side of the crossing are not considered in making these determinations.
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Appropriately equipped flagger means a person other than a train crew member who is equipped with a vest, shirt, or jacket of a color appropriate for daytime flagging such as orange, yellow,strong yellow green or fluorescent versions of these colors or other generally accepted high visibility colors.For nighttime flagging, similar outside garments shall be retro reflective. Acceptable hand signal devices for daytime flagging include ‘‘ STOP/SLOW’’paddles or red flags. For nighttime flagging, a flashlight, lantern, or other lighted signal shall be used. In as much as Part VI of the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices addresses standards and guides for flaggers and flagging equipment for highway traffic control, FRA recommends that railroads be aware of the standards and follow them to the greatest extent possible.Copies of the latest MUTCD provisions regarding flagging will be available from FRA, as well as FMCSA, as changes are made in this area.
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Credible report of warning system malfunction or credible report of warning system malfunction at a highway-rail grade crossing means a report that contains specific information regarding a malfunction of a highway-rail grade crossing warning system at an identified highway-rail grade crossing, supplied by a railroad employee, law enforcement officer, highway traffic official,or other employee of a public agency acting in an official capacity
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False activation means the activation of a highway-rail grade crossing warning system caused by a condition that requires correction or repair of the grade crossing warning system. (This failure indicates to the motorist that it is not safe to cross the railroad tracks when, in fact, it is safe to do so.)
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Highway-rail grade crossing means a location where a public highway, road,street, or private roadway, including associated sidewalks and pathways,crosses one or more railroad tracks at grade.
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Partial activation means activation of a highway-rail grade crossing warning system indicating the approach of a train, however, the full intended warning is not provided due to one of the following conditions:
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Plant railroad means a plant or installation that owns or leases a locomotive,uses that locomotive to switch cars throughout the plant or installation,and is moving goods solely for use in the facility’s own industrial processes
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Warning system malfunction or warning system malfunction at a highway-rail grade crossing means an activation failure,a partial activation, or a false activation of a highway-rail grade crossing warning system.
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Each railroad shall report to FRA every impact between on-track railroad equipment and an automobile,bus, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, farm vehicle, or pedestrian at a highway-rail grade crossing involving an activation  failure. Notification shall be provided to the National Response Center within 24 hours of occurrence at (800) 424–0201.Complete reports shall thereafter be filed with FRA pursuant to § 234.9 of this part (activation failure report) and 49 CFR 225.11 (accident/ incident report).
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Each railroad shall report to FRA within 15 days each activation failure of a highway-rail grade crossing warning system. FRA Form No. 6180–83,‘‘Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Warning System Failure Report,’’ shall be used for this purpose and completed in accordance with instructions printed on the form.
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Upon receipt of a credible report of a warning system malfunction, a railroad having maintenance responsibility for the warning system shall promptly investigate the report and determine the nature of the malfunction
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Until repair or correction of the warning system is completed, the railroad shall provide alternative means of warning highway traffic and railroad employees
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Each railroad shall keep records pertaining to compliance with this subpart. Records may be kept on forms provided by the railroad or by electronic means
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Plans required for proper maintenance and testing shall be kept at each highway-rail grade crossing warning system location. Plans shall be legible and correct
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All control circuits that affect the safe operation of a highway-rail grade crossing warning system shall operate on the fail-safe principle
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When any essential component of a highway-rail grade crossing warning system fails to perform its intended function, including but not limited to failures resulting in an activation failure,partial activation, or false activation,the cause shall be determined and the faulty component adjusted, repaired,or replaced without undue delay.
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Highway-rail grade crossing warning system apparatus shall be secured against unauthorized entry
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each circuit that affects the proper functioning of a highway-rail grade crossing warning system shall be kept free of any ground or combination of grounds that will permit a current flow of 75 percent or more of the value necessary to retain a permissive state of a safety appliance.
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standby source of power shall be provided with sufficient capacity to operate the warning system for a reasonable length of time during a period of primary power interruption. The designated capacity shall be specified on the plans required by § 234.201 of this part.
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All light units shall flash alternately.The number of flashes per minute for each light unit shall be 35 minimum and 65 maximum
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Each gate arm light shall be maintained in such condition to be properly visible to approaching highway users.Lights and light wire shall be secured to the gate arm.
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The voltage at each lamp shall be maintained at not less than 85 percent of the prescribed rating for the lamp
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A highway-rail grade crossing warning system shall be maintained to activate in accordance with the design of the warning system, but in no event shall it provide less than 20 seconds warning time for the normal operation of through trains before the grade crossing is occupied by rail traffic.
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Each highway-rail grade crossing train detection circuit shall detect the application of a shunt of 0.06 ohm resistance when the shunt is connected across the track rails of any part of the circuit.
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Each set of fouling wires in a highway-rail grade crossing train detection circuit shall consist of at least two discrete conductors.
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Each non-insulated rail joint located within the limits of a highway-rail grade crossing train detection circuit shall be bonded by means other than joint bars and the bonds shall be maintained in such condition to ensure electrical conductivity
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Each insulated rail joint used to separate train detection circuits of a highway-rail grade crossing shall be maintained to prevent current from flowing between rails separated by the insulation in an amount sufficient to cause a failure of the train detection circuit.
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A switch, when equipped with as witch circuit controller connected to the point and interconnected with warning system circuitry, shall be maintained so that the warning system can only be cut out when the switch point is within one-half inch of full reverse position.
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Each sign mounted on a highway-rail grade crossing signal post shall be maintained in good condition and be visible to the highway user
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A test for grounds on each energy bus furnishing power to circuits that affect the safety of warning system operation shall be made when such energy bus is placed in service and at least once each month thereafter
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Standby power shall be tested at least once each month
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Each flashing light unit shall be inspected when installed and at least once every twelve months for proper alignment and frequency of flashes in accordance with installation specifications.
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Each timing relay and timing device shall be tested at least once every twelve months. The timing shall be maintained at not less than 90 percent nor more than 110 percent of the 41 predetermined time interval
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Each cut-out circuit shall be tested at least once every three months to determine that the circuit functions as intended. For purposes of this section,a cut-out circuit is any circuit which overrides the operation of automatic warning systems. This includes both switch cut-out circuits and devices which enable personnel to manually override the operation of automatic warning systems
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Emergency Notification System means a system in place by which a railroad receives,processes, and responds to telephonic reports of an unsafe condition at a highway-rail or pathway grade crossing.
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Farm grade crossing means a type of highway-rail grade crossing where a private roadway used for the movement of farm motor vehicles, farm machinery,or livestock in connection with agricultural pursuits, forestry, or other land-productive purposes crosses one or more railroad tracks at grade
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Each railroad subject to this subpart shall keep records in accordance with this section. Records may be kept either on paper forms provided by the railroad or by electronic means in a manner
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Closed crossing means a location where a previous crossing no longer exists because either the railroad tracks have been physically removed, or each pathway or roadway approach to the crossing has been physically removed,leaving behind no intersection of railroad tracks with either a pathway or roadway. A grade-separated highway rail or pathway crossing that has been physically removed is also considered a closed crossing
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Crossing Inventory means the U.S.DOT National Highway-Rail Crossing Inventory
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Inventory Guide means the FRA Guide for Preparing Highway-Rail Crossing Inventory Forms in effect at the time of the submission of data to the Crossing Inventory
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Private crossing means a highway-rail or pathway crossing that is not a public crossing.
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Public crossing means a highway-rail or pathway crossing where the approaches are under the jurisdiction of and maintained by a public authority and open to public travel. All approaches must be under the jurisdiction of the public authority and no approach may be on private property, unless State law or regulation provides otherwise.
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Temporary crossing means a highway rail or pathway crossing created to serve a specific activity for a temporary time period not to exceed six months
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Reporting by State agencies on behalf of operating railroads. A State agency may submit crossing data to the Crossing Inventory on behalf of an operating railroad. The State agency and the operating railroad shall provide written notice to the FRA Associate Administrator that the State agency has agreed to submit and update crossing data for all of the operating railroad’s highway-rail and pathway crossings within the state.
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