bnsf railway –public projects and grade crossing...
TRANSCRIPT
11/24/2015 1
BNSF Railway – Public Projects and
Grade Crossing Safety
APWA Chicago Metro Division
Calvin Nutt – Manager Public Projects – IA, IL, WI
November 18, 2015
11/24/2015 2
Agenda
- BNSF Public Projects Overview
- Crossing Safety
- At-Grade Crossing Consolidation
- Interconnection/Preemption
- Pedestrian Concerns
- Grade Separations
- Permitting
- Public Projects Department vs. Jones Lang LaSalle
- Contractor Safety
11/24/2015 3
BNSF Overview
- 32,500 miles of track
- 28 States, 3 Canadian Provinces
- 47,000 Employees
- Average 1,600 trains/day
- 10 million carloads in 2014- 50 million packages each
holiday season
- 500 miles/gallon for 1 ton of freight
- 8,000 locomotives
- 13,000 bridges
- 25,700 Grade Crossings
11/24/2015 4
BNSF Public Projects Team
Public Crossing Statistics
- Chicago Area
- 105 At-Grade
- 31 Overpasses
- 84 Underpasses
- Illinois
- 1,500 At-Grade
- 168 Overpasses
- 206 Underpasses
2015 Projects Total = $88MM
11/24/2015 5
Public Projects Overview
Project Types
- Roadway Realignments/Widening
- Grade Separations
- Signal Installations
- Surface Installations
- Grade Crossing Closures
- Improvement projects paralleling BNSF ROW
- Quiet Zones
- Multi-use paths
11/24/2015 6
Public Projects Overview
- Responsibilities
- Project Administration
- Conceptual or Preliminary Plan Approval
- Internal BNSF Coordination on Agency Projects
- Facilitating plan review
- Project meetings
- Project scheduling
- Agreement Negotiations
- Contractor Onboarding
- Preconstruction Meeting
- Project Hand-Off
11/24/2015 7
Grade Crossing Safety
Highway-railroad grade crossing safety is an integral part of BNSF’s operation and culture and involves the daily cooperative effort of many employees
11/24/2015 8
Grade Crossing Safety
Crossing Facts
- It takes a fully loaded freight train moving 50 mph approximately 1 ½ miles to come to a complete stop
- Motorists are 40 times more likely to die in a crash with a train than with a motor vehicle
- Trains can’t swerve – travel on set route
- Large objects appear to be traveling slower than reality
- Any time is train time
- Varied levels of warning devices
- Most train/vehicle crashes are preventable
Crossing Statistics
- 52% of BNSF crossing collisions occur at active-warning crossings
11/24/2015 9
Grade Crossing Safety
Nearly all grade crossing collisions are caused by motorist error
Drove Around
Gate: 212 (13%)
Did Not Stop
593 (36%)
Sources: AAR Analysis of Highway-Rail Incident Database for 2013 (March 2014).
FRA, Railroad Safety Statistics Annual Report 2010, Table 8-6.
Note: Motor vehicle highway-rail incidents at public crossings.
Stopped on Tracks:
482 (29%)
Stopped,
Proceeded
71
4%
Other 228
(14%)
11/24/2015 10
Grade Crossing Safety
Warning Classes
- Passive (Cross Bucks, Yield Signs, Stop Signs)
- Active (Traffic Signals, Flashing Lights, Lights and Gates, Four-Quadrant Gates)
11/24/2015 11
Grade Crossing Safety
Crossing Consolidation
- The safest at-grade crossing is ALWAYS no at-grade crossing
- BNSF Program to reduce at-grade crossings- Started in 2000- Currently 30-35 team members- Built on Education, Engineering, and Enforcement- Successfully eliminated 6,000 crossings
- Any at-grade crossing is a potential closure, and any closure is beneficial
11/24/2015 12
Grade Crossing Safety
Crossing Interconnect/Preemption
- BNSF supports installation of new preemption as well as improvements to existing preemption
- Road authority determines required preemption time and requests from BNSF
11/24/2015 13
Grade Crossing Safety
Quiet Zones
- FRA Train Horn Rule establishes requirements for use of horn when approaching at-grade crossings
- Public authorities may establish Quiet Zones in accordance with FRA rule (Pt. 222 of 49 CFR)
- Public Authority is the owner of the process
- BNSF is involved in the process and encourages SSM’s at every crossing to create a sealed corridor
- SSM’s include four-quadrant gates, closure, and medians
11/24/2015 14
Grade Crossing Safety
Pedestrian Treatments
- New Chapter 8D approved for next publication of MUTCD
- Will be used for future roadway reconstruction, streetscape, and commuter platform projects
11/24/2015 15
Grade Separations
- Railroads can be obligated to contribute 5% to initial grade separations.
- Additional funding potential if multiple at-grade crossings are eliminated
- 5% number does not include aesthetic components, additional landscaping, etc.
- All grade separations must meet the requirements of the BNSF/UP Grade Separation Guidelines
- Highway structure typically more feasible than railway structure
- Lower loads
- Shorter span
- Higher maximum allowable grade
11/24/2015 16
Municipality Project Coordination
BNSF is involved in
- Design
- Permitting
- Right-of-Way
- Contract Negotiation
- Contractor Safety
- Construction Inspection/Coordination
11/24/2015 17
Permitting with BNSF
Temporary Occupancy and Utility Permits
- Pipelines, utilities, surveys, geotech, etc.
- Handled by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL)
- 6-8 weeks to obtain
- $750 processing fee (approx.)
- $2,500 permit fee (approx.)
- Permit outlines insurance, flagging, safety, etc.
- Information at www.bnsf.com/communities/faqs/permits-real-estate/
11/24/2015 18
Public Projects vs. JLL
When do you use BNSF Public Projects vs. JLL?
- Public Projects
- Grade separations, roadway widening, new crossings, crossing reconfiguration/reconstruction, quiet zones, closures, etc.
- JLL
- Surveys, geotech, utilities, permits, maintenance ROE
11/24/2015 19
Contractor Safety
Flagging Requirements
- Work within 25 feet of track centerline
- Work on BNSF ROW
- Work is capable of fouling track
- Within 4’ of track if equipment falls (cranes and excavators)
- Coordinated through local Roadmaster
- Paid by road authority
- Required through ROE, permit, or C/C1 Agreement
11/24/2015 20
Contractor Start-Up
- Right of Entry- Minimum 30 days for ROE, permit, or C/C1 Agreement
- Contractor Orientation- BNSFContractor.com- Covers safety requirements when working on BNSF ROW- Must have card and photo on person when on BNSF ROW
- E-RailSafe- www.e-railsafe.com- Personnel screening and security management
- Submittals (overpass/underpass projects)- Contractor submittal requirements included in Grade Separation
Guidelines- Submittals require 4 weeks for each review cycle
- Consider consultants and contractors with railroad expertise.
