Authors: James J. Rozek, John A. Harrison

Date of Publication:  1999 (?)

Sponsoring Agency:  U.S. Transportation Research Board, Committee on Intercity Passenger Guided Transportation

Performing Organization: Parsons, Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc.

Report No:

Abstract:
 

A serious problem facing planners of high-speed rail (HSR) systems in the United States is the difficulty of locating suitable rights-of-way in heavily built-up metropolitan areas. A proposed solution is often the use of existing rail corridors that generally have at-grade crossings in the close-in environs of a city. Highway grade crossings are incompatible with HSR operation because of the public safety hazards presented by the speed and frequency of train service in HSR corridors.  Nevertheless, the cost and, in some cases, the feasibility of grade separating these existing routes essentially preclude their use if all highway grade crossings must be eliminated.  Safety and economic issues that should be considered by planners and designers in determining whether at-grade crossings are appropriate for the system they are planning are discussed. It is concluded that, although no one can expect a high-speed passenger rail system to have a perfect safety record indefinitely, the public will demand that HSR safety be equivalent to or better than that of existing conventional rail passenger service and comparable with that of air travel.  Therefore, ways must be found to improve safety at crossings. In the final analysis, the cost of making grade crossings sufficiently safe for use on HSR lines may approach the cost of eliminating them altogether. The cost savings versus the liabilities of not fully eliminating grade crossings must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
 
 

No. of Pages:  7