741-110-0010
Purpose and Scope of Rules

OAR 741-110-0020 through 741-110-0090 and 741-115-0010 through 741-115-0080 provide uniform standards for the location and type of protective devices to be installed and maintained at grade crossings.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 184.616, 184.619, 823.011, 824.202 & 824.220
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 824.220
History:
RD 3-2003, f. 9-18-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03
RS 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 3-14-96, Renumbered from 860-042-0045
PUC 3-1983, f. & ef. 3-16-83, Order No. 83-143

741-110-0020
Application of Rules to Existing Protective Devices

(1) Protective devices installed on or after the effective date of these rules shall comply with these rules.

(2) Except as required by OAR 741-110-0050(2), protective devices installed at grade crossings are deemed to be in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Department, if the installations were performed in accordance with the rules in effect at the time of their installation.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 184.616, 184.619, 823.011, 824.202 & 824.220
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 824.202
History:
RD 1-2009, f. & cert. ef. 2-20-09
RD 3-2003, f. 9-18-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03
RS 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 3-14-96, Renumbered from 860-042-0055
PUC 9-1983, f. & cert. ef. 8-22-83, Order No. 83-511
PUC 3-1983, f. & cert. ef. 4-8-83, Order No. 83-143

741-110-0030
Standard Protective Devices

(1) The devices listed in the MUTCD and the devices listed in Sections (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) of this rule are “standard protective devices.”

(2) Passive Devices:

(a) Railroad STOP Sign Figure 1 is a fixed rectangular sign that shall bear the word “STOP” in white reflective letters on red reflective material.

(b) Stop Clearance Line is a stop line as defined in Section 1A.13 of the MUTCD, which is 24 inches wide.

(c) “Illumination” (Figure 4) is a system of luminaires arranged in a unique pattern to provide direct lighting on the side of railroad equipment occupying a grade crossing during hours of darkness.

(3) Active Devices at Grade Crossings:

(a) Flashing-Light Signal is as set forth in Section 8C.02 of the MUTCD, which has an audible warning device. For additional specifications for Flashing-light signals, refer to subsections (e) and (f) of this section.

(b) Cantilevered Flashing-Light Signal is as set forth in Section 8C.02 of the MUTCD, which has an audible warning device. For additional specifications on cantilevered Flashing-light signals, refer to subsections (e) and (f) of this section.

(c) Pedestrian Flashing-Light Signal is as set forth in Section 8D.06 of the MUTCD. For additional specifications on Pedestrian Flashing-light signals, refer to subsections (e) and (f) of this section.

(d) Automatic Gate is as set forth in Section 8C.04 of the MUTCD.

(e) Light units on Flashing-light signals, Cantilevered Flashing-light signals, and Pedestrian Flashing-light signals shall be aligned so that insofar as it is practical to do so, at least one full 12-inch diameter red light shall be visible when viewed from any point on the roadway within the safe stopping distance.

(f) Unless otherwise specified, 12-inch diameter roundels (lenses) on Flashing-light signals, Cantilevered Flashing-light signals, and Pedestrian Flashing-light signals, if incandescent bulbs are used, shall be as follows:

(A) Front light units: roundel rated with a 30-degree horizontal and 15-degree downward spread.

(B) Back light units: roundel rated with a 70-degree horizontal spread.

(C) Cantilevered front and back light units: roundel rated with a 20-degree horizontal and 32-degree downward spread.

(4) Auxiliary Devices. The Department may authorize the installation of auxiliary signs and signals at a crossing. Such devices shall be installed so as not to obscure other crossing signs or signals at the crossing.

(5) Advance Warning Devices:

(a) Train-Activated Advance Warning Device (Figure 3) is a signal that shall alternately flash two yellow lights along the highway in advance of a crossing, to provide warning of an approaching train.

(b) Skewed Angle Bicycle Warning sign is the skewed crossing (W10-12) sign in Section 8B.25 of the MUTCD. If used at pathway-rail grade crossings, the sign size depicted in Table 9B-1 of the MUTCD for a shared-use path shall be used.

(6) Guardrail is as depicted in Oregon Standard Drawing No. RD445.

(7) Curb is a standard curb as depicted in Oregon Standard Drawing No. RD700.

[ED. NOTE: Figures referenced are available from the agency.]

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 184.616, 184.619, 823.011, 824.202 & 824.220
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 824.220
History:
RD 1-2013, f. & cert. ef. 10-15-13
RD 1-2009, f. & cert. ef. 2-20-09
RD 3-2003, f. 9-18-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03
RS 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 3-14-96, Renumbered from 860-042-0060
PUC 3-1985, f. & cert. ef. 4-8-85, Order No. 85-291
PUC 9-1983, f. & cert. ef. 8-22-83, Order No. 83-511
PUC 3-1983, f. & cert. ef. 4-8-83, Order No. 83-143

741-110-0040
Location of Protective Devices

(1) Standard Protective Devices shall be located as set forth in Part 8 of the MUTCD.

(2) Railroad STOP signs (Figure 1) shall be located adjacent to the track on which the stopping requirement applies not closer than six feet nor further than 25 feet from the nearest edge of the roadway.

(3) The stop clearance line described in OAR 741-110-0030(2)(b) shall be located in accordance with the MUTCD as adopted by OAR 734-020-0005.

(4) Grade Crossing Advance warning signs and grade crossing pavement markings shall be located in accordance with the MUTCD as adopted by OAR 734-020-0005.

(5) STOP AHEAD (W3-1 or W3-1a) signs, YIELD AHEAD (W3-2 or W3-2a) signs and train-activated advance warning signals shall be located not less than 100 feet in advance of the advance warning sign. See Figure 3.

(6) Guardrails shall be located so that the face of the guardrail, at a point perpendicular to the roadway centerline, shall coincide with the outside edge of the roadway. No part of the guardrail shall be closer than 10 feet from the centerline of the nearest track.

(7) Curb shall be located on the outside edge of the roadway. Curb shall commence not less than 10 feet from centerline of nearest track and must extend 50 feet in advance of the automatic protective device.

(8) Illumination Devices. The system of luminaires shall be located at the grade crossing, as determined by field conditions, to light the side of the train during hours of darkness. See Figure 4.

(9) Overhead Mounting of Signs and Signals. At the option of the public authority, or by Order of the Department, authorized signs and signals may be installed directly over a lane of traffic on the roadway.

[ED. NOTE: Figures referenced are available from the agency.]

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 184.616, 184.619, 823.011, 824.202 & 824.220
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 824.220
History:
RD 1-2013, f. & cert. ef. 10-15-13
RD 1-2009, f. & cert. ef. 2-20-09
RD 3-2003, f. 9-18-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03
RS 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 3-14-96, Renumbered from 860-042-0070
PUC 3-1985, f. & cert. ef. 4-8-85, Order No. 85-291
PUC 9-1983, f. & cert. ef. 8-22-83, Order No. 83-511
PUC 3-1983, f. & cert, ef. 3-16-83, Order No. 83-143

741-110-0050
Authority Required for Installation, Removal or Change of Protective Devices/Exceptions

No protective device shall be installed, removed or substituted for any other device, without prior authorization by Order of the Department, except:

(1) Additional flashing light units may be installed on existing installations of Flashing-light signals and Cantilevered Flashing-light signals by the railroad.

(2) Worn out or destroyed protective devices may be replaced by a similar device; however, the replacement shall comply with the MUTCD as adopted by OAR 734-020-0005.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 184.616, 184.619, 823.011, 824.202 & 824.220
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 824.202
History:
RD 1-2013, f. & cert. ef. 10-15-13
RD 1-2009, f. & cert. ef. 2-20-09
RD 3-2003, f. 9-18-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03
RS 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 3-14-96, Renumbered from 860-042-0075
PUC 3-1985, f. & cert. ef. 4-8-85, Order No. 85-291
PUC 9-1983, f. & cert. ef. 8-22-83, Order No. 83-511
PUC 3-1983, f. & cert. ef. 3-16-83, Order No. 83-143

741-110-0060
Required Installation of Specified Protective Devices

Unless otherwise ordered by the Department, the following protective devices shall be installed at the grade crossings described below.

(1) One railroad STOP sign shall be installed, where physical circumstances permit, on each track approach to each crossing equipped with Flashing-light signals, Cantilevered Flashing-light signals, Pedestrian Flashing-light signals, and automatic gates when the minimum signal activation requirement of OAR 741 110-0070(1) cannot be met.

(2) Two Number of Tracks (R15-2P) plaques shall be installed at each grade crossing consisting of two or more tracks.

(3) Stop Clearance Lines. One stop clearance line shall be installed on each paved roadway approach lane at each grade crossing.

(4) Grade Crossing Advance Warning Signs. Appropriate grade crossing advance warning signs shall be installed on each roadway approach to each grade crossing.

(5) Grade Crossing Pavement Markings. Grade crossing pavement markings shall be installed on each paved vehicle approach lane to each grade crossing.

(6) Guardrail or Curb. Guardrail or curb, as appropriate, shall be installed at each crossing equipped with active protective devices.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 184.616, 184.619, 823.011, 824.202 & 824.220
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 824.202
History:
RD 1-2013, f. & cert. ef. 10-15-13
RD 1-2009, f. & cert. ef. 2-20-09
RD 3-2003, f. 9-18-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03
RS 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 3-14-96, Renumbered from 860-042-0080
PUC 3-1983, f. & cert. ef. 3-16-83, Order No. 83-143

741-110-0070
Operation of Active Devices

(1) Activation of Devices. Unless otherwise ordered by the Department, Flashing-light signals, Cantilevered Flashing-light signals, Pedestrian Flashing-light signals, and automatic gates shall be activated by approaching trains through control circuitry in such a manner as will provide a warning through continuous signal operation for a period of not less than 20 seconds nor more than 40 seconds before the arrival of a train traveling at the highest speed permissible over that particular track. Prolonged signal operation shall be avoided by reasonable operating and engineering practices.

(2) Cessation of Operation. The warning aspect of Flashing-light signals, Cantilevered Flashing-light signals, Pedestrian Flashing-light signals, and automatic gates shall cease operation immediately after the passage of the train over the roadway unless approach circuits on adjacent tracks are occupied by an oncoming train.

(3) Advance Preemption or other appropriate methods shall be used to provide a pedestrian clear-out interval (PCOI) before the vehicle clear-out interval (VCOI).

(a) When a VCOI is required, the indication for the track clearance phases shall be GREEN.

(b) The road authority may submit an engineering study to the State Traffic Engineer to request a deviation from the standards. The State Traffic Engineer, together with the ODOT Rail and Public Transit Division, Crossing Safety Section Manager, may authorize a signalized intersection operation consistent with the findings of the study.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 184.616, 184.619, 823.011, 824.202 & 824.220
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 824.220
History:
RD 1-2013, f. & cert. ef. 10-15-13
RD 1-2009, f. & cert. ef. 2-20-09
RD 3-2003, f. 9-18-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03
RS 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 3-14-96, Renumbered from 860-042-0090
PUC 3-1983, f. & cert. ef. 3-16-83, Order No. 83-143

741-110-0080
Observance of Railroad Stop Signs

When Railroad STOP signs are installed, traffic on the railroad shall stop prior to entering the roadway and proceed when safe to do so, but not before automatic gate arms have fully lowered, or (in the case of a highway-rail grade crossing not equipped with automatic gates) not before active protective devices, if any, at the crossing have been fully activated for a period of not less than 20 seconds.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 184.616, 184.619, 823.011, 824.202 & 824.220
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 824.202
History:
RD 1-2013, f. & cert. ef. 10-15-13
RD 1-2009, f. & cert. ef. 2-20-09
RS 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 3-14-96, Renumbered from 860-042-0096
PUC 3-1985, f. & ef. 4-8-85, Order No. 85-291
PUC 3-1983, f. & ef. 3-16-83, Order No. 83-143

741-110-0090
Maintenance and Replacement of Protective Devices

Protective devices installed at grade crossings shall be maintained in satisfactory condition, location and in proper alignment. Signs shall be legible at all times. Signal lenses shall be visible as required in OAR 741 110 0030(3)(e). After notification of damage, destruction, failure or malfunction of a protective device, the party responsible for its maintenance shall promptly replace or repair the device, and adequately protect the crossing in the interim.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 184.616, 184.619, 823.011, 824.202 & 824.220
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 824.204 & 824.206
History:
RD 1-2009, f. & cert. ef. 2-20-09
RD 3-2003, f. 9-18-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03
RS 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 3-14-96, Renumbered from 860-042-0105
PUC 3-1983, f. & cert. ef. 3-16-83, Order No. 83-143