Railroad Crossing Signal Technology and Implementation Solutions Pooled Fund

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General Information
Solicitation Number: 1509
Status: End Solicitation Phase
Date Posted: Oct 03, 2019
Last Updated: Jan 31, 2022
Solicitation Expires: Oct 03, 2021
Partners: GADOT, ND, TX, WA
Lead Organization: Washington State Department of Transportation
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2020
Commitment End Year: 2023
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Commitments Required: $200,000.00
Commitments Received: $150,000.00
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Mark Nickerson
NICKEMA@wsdot.wa.gov
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Georgia Department of Transportation 2021 $25,000.00 Kevin Cowan Supriya Kamatkar 404-347-0552 skamatkar@dot.ga.gov
Georgia Department of Transportation 2022 $25,000.00 Kevin Cowan Supriya Kamatkar 404-347-0552 skamatkar@dot.ga.gov
Georgia Department of Transportation 2023 $25,000.00 Kevin Cowan Supriya Kamatkar 404-347-0552 skamatkar@dot.ga.gov
North Dakota Department of Transportation 2020 $25,000.00 Jim Styron Amy Beise 701-328-6921 abeise@nd.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2021 $25,000.00 Robert Travis Ned Mattila 512-416-4727 ned.mattila@txdot.gov
Washington State Department of Transportation 2021 $25,000.00 Ron Pate Douglas Brodin 360-705-7972 brodind@wsdot.wa.gov

Background

Incidents involving trains and pedestrians or motorists continue to be an issue for state DOTs and transportation providers. There are hundreds of thousands of “at grade crossings” nationally and thousands in every state. Grade crossings where motorists cross tracks are a source of delays and crashes. As trains become longer and more concentrated on certain line segments, communities are often cut in half, which can result in unsafe behavior. The number of accidents involving trains have declined in the last decade but changes in the length, number and concentration of trains and the growth of communities around tracks remain risk factors. Trespassing on rail lines and unfamiliarity with railroad operations can result in injuries or fatalities for the public. Removing “at grade crossings” via flyovers or underpasses, or installing and maintaining existing signaling is expensive especially with thousands of crossings to address. Signals, both passive and active, have been at crossings for over a hundred years with each state responsible for the type of railroad signals used depending on various factors including road/rail volume.

Objectives

The objective of this pooled fund is to initiate a research project to determine whether there is an opportunity to reduce conflicts at railroad grade crossings using smart technology. These conflicts occur between railroads, pedestrians and motorists. The intent is to improve signals and signage, barriers, warnings to autonomous vehicles, LIDAR, digital imaging, etc. resulting in improved safety, and also potentially address rerouting of emergency and other vehicles. The pooled fund will be closed on completion of this project.

Scope of Work

To thoroughly research the latest railroad signal, signage and barrier technologies, the practicality of implementing them, and potential costs and benefits.

Comments

Though signals have changed over time, they still primarily rely on technology available in the 20th century. There has been research and development but practical solutions and implementation has been limited. The purpose of this pooled fund, to be led by the Washington State DOT (WSDOT), is to bring together partners who have a common interest to look at new technology to determine if there are implementable solutions. The suggested funding contribution from each partner is $25,000. Partners may include public sector, private sector and international entities.

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Type Privacy Download
SPR-B Waiver Approval Approval of SP&R Waiver Pooled Fund Solicitation #1509.pdf Memorandum Public

Railroad Crossing Signal Technology and Implementation Solutions Pooled Fund

General Information
Solicitation Number: 1509
Status: End Solicitation Phase
Date Posted: Oct 03, 2019
Last Updated: Jan 31, 2022
Solicitation Expires: Oct 03, 2021
Partners: GADOT, ND, TX, WA
Lead Organization: Washington State Department of Transportation
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2020
Commitment End Year: 2023
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Commitments Required: $200,000.00
Commitments Received: $150,000.00
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Mark Nickerson
NICKEMA@wsdot.wa.gov
Commitments by Organizations
Agency Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Georgia Department of Transportation 2021 $25,000.00 Kevin Cowan Supriya Kamatkar 404-347-0552 skamatkar@dot.ga.gov
Georgia Department of Transportation 2022 $25,000.00 Kevin Cowan Supriya Kamatkar 404-347-0552 skamatkar@dot.ga.gov
Georgia Department of Transportation 2023 $25,000.00 Kevin Cowan Supriya Kamatkar 404-347-0552 skamatkar@dot.ga.gov
North Dakota Department of Transportation 2020 $25,000.00 Jim Styron Amy Beise 701-328-6921 abeise@nd.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2021 $25,000.00 Robert Travis Ned Mattila 512-416-4727 ned.mattila@txdot.gov
Washington State Department of Transportation 2021 $25,000.00 Ron Pate Douglas Brodin 360-705-7972 brodind@wsdot.wa.gov

Background

Incidents involving trains and pedestrians or motorists continue to be an issue for state DOTs and transportation providers. There are hundreds of thousands of “at grade crossings” nationally and thousands in every state. Grade crossings where motorists cross tracks are a source of delays and crashes. As trains become longer and more concentrated on certain line segments, communities are often cut in half, which can result in unsafe behavior. The number of accidents involving trains have declined in the last decade but changes in the length, number and concentration of trains and the growth of communities around tracks remain risk factors. Trespassing on rail lines and unfamiliarity with railroad operations can result in injuries or fatalities for the public. Removing “at grade crossings” via flyovers or underpasses, or installing and maintaining existing signaling is expensive especially with thousands of crossings to address. Signals, both passive and active, have been at crossings for over a hundred years with each state responsible for the type of railroad signals used depending on various factors including road/rail volume.

Objectives

The objective of this pooled fund is to initiate a research project to determine whether there is an opportunity to reduce conflicts at railroad grade crossings using smart technology. These conflicts occur between railroads, pedestrians and motorists. The intent is to improve signals and signage, barriers, warnings to autonomous vehicles, LIDAR, digital imaging, etc. resulting in improved safety, and also potentially address rerouting of emergency and other vehicles. The pooled fund will be closed on completion of this project.

Scope of Work

To thoroughly research the latest railroad signal, signage and barrier technologies, the practicality of implementing them, and potential costs and benefits.

Comments

Though signals have changed over time, they still primarily rely on technology available in the 20th century. There has been research and development but practical solutions and implementation has been limited. The purpose of this pooled fund, to be led by the Washington State DOT (WSDOT), is to bring together partners who have a common interest to look at new technology to determine if there are implementable solutions. The suggested funding contribution from each partner is $25,000. Partners may include public sector, private sector and international entities.

Title Type Private
SPR-B Waiver Approval Memorandum N

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