Recommendations for KYTC's railway/highway at-grade crossing management practices.

PDFTech ReportKTC-14-18/SPR452-13-3FKYSPR-13-452Railroad grade crossingsMaintenance managementRehabilitation (Maintenance)Design engineeringDecision makingBest practicesCost effectivenessKentuckyUniversity of Kentucky Transportation CenterMalloy, BrettRose, JerryPurcell, MacyUniversity of Kentucky Transportation CenterKentucky. Transportation CabinetUS Transportation CollectionAn ideal Railway/Highway At-Grade Crossing Management program involves selecting cost-effectivepractices when designing new crossings and rehabilitating existing crossings. This report outlines twostrategies to enhance KYTC\u2019s existing program. First, it describes a process that uses decision-optiondiagrams to optimize the assessment and implementation of engineering solutions in order to restoredesired smoothness, minimize settlement in the post-construction phase, and foster acceptable long-termperformance of crossings following their rehabilitation. Decision-option diagrams rely on assessments thatare site-specific and based on historical performance, the present observed performance and condition, andthe measureable parameters specific to particular crossings. To supplement this process, the secondstrategy that this report proposes is the establishment of an effective managerial structure at KYTC thatstreamlines decision-making to ensure that the selected design is properly applied and implemented. Takentogether, these proposals will significantly improve the state\u2019s ability to systematically and cost-effectivelyrepair deteriorated crossings