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| February 2005 Newsletter > The Crossing Zone |
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The Crossing Zone: A Decade of Progress May 1-4, 2005 The California LTAP Center and the Federal Railroad Administration are working with NACE to co-sponsor “The Crossing Zone: A Decade of Progress” conference to help local jurisdictions better understand grade crossing safety issues and improve grade crossing safety through appropriate and effective use of signs, signals, markings, and other traffic safety tools. A roadway-railroad grade crossing differs from a roadway-roadway intersection in that the train always has the right-of-way. Motor vehicles approaching a grade crossing should always be prepared to stop. Drivers do not always obey or understand this. Roadway agencies are responsible for ensuring that the public – motorist, bicyclist, pedestrian – has sufficient information, far enough in advance, to make a safe decision to either cross or wait. This conference is intended for state and local road and highway agencies and heavy- and light-rail owners and operators. Other stakeholders, including law enforcement, crossing equipment suppliers, consultants and the public, are also encouraged to attend. The conference sessions will cover timely topics, including: trespassing, the new train horn rule, “intelligent” rail systems, homeland security, liability issues, development around existing tracks and crossings, community outreach, important updates on federal legislation and the state of the industry, crossing inventories, the 2003 MUTCD, temporary traffic control, grade separations, crossing closures, signals and preemption, and diagnostic reviews. The conference program will also include three pre-conference tutorials on crossing design, preemption and quiet zones. An exhibit area will feature vendor products and services. For more information, visit the conference
website at:
http://www.techtransfer.berkeley.edu/railroad/index.html |