05-14-2014 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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5.5 County Road B2 (DOT # 689022F, RR MP 14.67) County Road B2 Road is a two lane roadway with a continuous center turn lane. The existing waming devices are flashing lights with gates. The ADT is 1,100. There is development in all four quadrants. The signals meet the minimum compliance with the quiet zone rules. The risk index levels indicate that supplemental safety measures would be required. Raised medians could be installed. The proposed improvements are: • Add "NO TRAIN HORN" signs to the existing advance warning signs; • Install a center median on both sides of the crossing. The cost is estimated to be between $25,000 and $50,000. 5.6 County Road B (DOT # 689025B, RR MP 15.19) County Road B is a two lane roadway. The existing warning devices are flashing lights (no gates). The ADT is 5,000. There is development in all four quadrants. The roadway is under County jurisdiction and is the border between Little Canada and Maplewood. The signals would need to upgraded (or replaced) with a new railroad signal with gates to meet the minimum compliance with the quiet zone rules. The risk index levels indicate that supplemental safety measures would be required. Raised medians could be installed. Four quadrant gate system or stationary horns could also be installed. The proposed improvements are: • Install new railroad signals with gates; • Add "NO TRAIN HORN' signs to the existing advance warning signs; • Install a center median on both sides of the crossing. The estimated cost is estimated to be between $250,000 and $300,000. The signal improvements cost included in the range above is between $225,000 and $250,000. 6.0 Risk Analysis The FRA has developed a risk analysis to evaluate proposed quiet zones. The analysis is based on their national crossing inventory and accident databases. The accident prediction model uses 12 criteria to determine the probability and severity of a vehicle -train crash at each crossing. Using these calculations, a National Significant Risk Threshold (NSRT) and an individual Risk Index with Homs (RIWH) can be developed. The FRA has also compared crossings that have had quiet zones in -place with non -quiet zone crossings and has developed a Quiet Zone Risk Index (QZRI) and an effectiveness rating for each type of SSM. Using their Quiet Zone Calculator, these various index numbers are computed and provide the basis for what needs to be done at each crossing in order for a community to obtain a Quiet Zone. Appendix E has the quiet zone calculator results from the FRA website. Risk is averaged over the railroad crossings in the proposed zone and compared to a national significant risk threshold level (NSRT). This risk analysis computes a Risk Index with Horns Railroad Quiet Zone Report City of Little Canada 14 LITTC 126672 Page 9