Arizona Administrative Code
Title 14 - PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATIONS; CORPORATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS; SECURITIES REGULATION
Chapter 5 - CORPORATION COMMISSION - TRANSPORTATION
Article 1 - RAILROADS
Section R14-5-110 - Walkway and Clearance Standards

Universal Citation: AZ Admin Code R 14-5-110

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 38, September 20, 2024

A. The following shall be the standards for all walkways.

1. Walkways shall be provided adjacent to tracks in all areas where railroad or industrial employees are required to perform trackside duties.

2. Walkways shall be:
a. A uniform regular surface with a gradual slope not to exceed 1 inch rise in 8 inches;

b. Kept clean and free of weeds, debris and other materials or equipment that might tend to interfere with the footing of railroad or industrial employees performing trackside duties; and

c. Constructed and maintained to ensure proper drainage and prevent pooling of water, oil, or other liquids.

3. In areas where heavy foot traffic exists, such as train yards and manually operated switches, the uniform surface material used shall be no larger than 3/8 inch fines.

4. Applicable walkway measurement and clearance standards contained in Appendices 1 through 6 shall be met.

5. The center of tracks shall be kept clean and free from all foreign materials that tend to build up between rails causing poor footing and a deterioration of track components.

6. Walkway standards shall not apply to any of the following:
a. Tracks in streets or tunnels, existing bridges, grade separation structures, railroad-highway crossings, existing trestles, cattle guards, and tracks adjacent to walks, abutments, platforms, pillars, and structures where minimum widths are otherwise provided;

b. Tracks within cities, towns, populated or congested areas where there is insufficient width of right-of-way, except that standards shall apply to the full width of right-of-way available; and

c. Tracks during periods of damage or obstruction due to heavy rain or snow, derailments, rock and earth slides and other abnormal periods. Walkways shall be brought back into compliance with this Section within 30 days after the damage or obstruction occurred.

B. The following shall be the clearance standards:

1. Minimum overhead and side clearances as prescribed in this Section may be decreased to the extent defined by the half circumference of a circle having a radius of 8 feet, 6 inches and tangent to a horizontal line 22 feet above the top of rail at a point directly above the centerline of track, except that for tunnels and through bridges, such radius may be 8 feet. The requirements contained in Appendix 7 also shall be met.

2. Minimum overhead clearance above the top of rail shall be 22 feet except as follows:
a. Clearance may be reduced to 18 feet if the track terminates inside a building and all cars, locomotives, or other equipment are brought to a stop before entering the building.

b. Clearance shall conform to the requirements specified in the National Electrical Safety Code (ANSI C2-1990) pertaining to the installation and maintenance of electrical supply and communication lines, published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Incorporated (approved on June 26, 1989), incorporated herein by reference, on file with the Office of the Secretary of State, and copies available from 345 East 47th Street, New York, N.Y., 10017.

c. Overhead clearances authorized in this subsection are applicable to tracks on which rail cars having a height of 15 feet 6 inches or less are transported. If rail cars of a height greater than 15 feet 6 inches are transported or proposed to be transported, minimum overhead clearance shall be increased by the amount of not less than such additional height, provided that such cars are exempt from this subsection when the top running boards have been removed, ladders and hand brakes lowered, car painted, stenciled, and otherwise modified in compliance with provisions of 49 CFR 231, as amended and revised through October 1, 1989, incorporated herein by reference, on file with the Office of the Secretary of State, and copies available from the United States Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 371975M, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15250-7975.

d. Rotary dumpers used in the unloading of open top cars shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section.

3. Minimum side clearance from centerline to tangent standard gage track to obstruction shall be 8 feet 6 inches except as follows:
a. For platforms:
i. Platforms 8 inches or less above the top of rail shall be 4 feet 8 inches from centerline of track.

ii . Platforms 4 feet or less above the top of rail shall be 7 feet 3 inches from centerline of track.

iii. Stepped platforms combining two or more of the platform clearances described in subdivisions (i) and (ii) of this subsection shall not be permitted.

iv. Existing platforms may be extended at existing clearance, provided that such clearance, unless otherwise permitted by this Section, shall not be less than 6 feet 6 inches from the centerline of track.

b. Mail cranes shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section.

c. All poles shall be a minimum of 8 feet 6 inches from the centerline of track, except that 10 feet shall be recommended where possible.

d. Minimum clearance for through bridges supporting track and tunnels shall be 8 feet from the centerline of track.

e. Minimum clearance for handrails on bridges with walkways shall be 7 feet 6 inches from the centerline of track, except that the railroad may require clearances in excess of this minimum when the railroad deems it necessary.

f. Water barrels and refuge platforms shall be 4 feet above the top of rail and 8 feet distant laterally from the centerline of track.

g. For block signals and switch stands:
i. Block signals and switch stands shall be 3 feet or less above the top of rail and located between tracks. Where not practicable to provide clearances otherwise prescribed in this Section, they shall be a minimum of 6 feet from the centerline of track.

ii. All other block signals and switch stands shall be a minimum of 8 feet 6 inches from the centerline of track.

h. Water columns and oil columns shall be a minimum of 8 feet from the centerline of track.

i. Cattle guard fencing shall be a minimum of 6 feet 9 inches from centerline of track; except that existing cattle guards less than 6 feet 9 inches from the centerline of track may be maintained at existing clearance if such clearance does not extend beyond a line extending diagonally upward from a point level with the top of rail and 5 feet 10 inches distant laterally from the centerline of track to a point 4 feet above top of rail and 8 feet distant laterally from the centerline of track.

j. Log rollways may be constructed and maintained with impaired clearances when adjacent to tracks operated exclusively for logging purposes.

k. Clearances into shops and buildings where freight cars are spotted for repairs shall be a minimum of 7 feet 8 inches from the centerline of track.

l. For fences and gates:
i. The minimum distance between a fence and the centerline of track shall be not less than 8 feet 6 inches, except that where conditions permit, 10 feet shall be required.

ii. Fences topped with barbed wire shall have vertical arms or the arms shall be turned outward away from track, if necessary to maintain minimum clearances as prescribed herein.

iii. Gates shall be secure and shall be maintained in a condition that will allow for easy opening by one person. Gates, in the open position, shall be at least 8 feet 6 inches from the centerline of track.

iv. Mechanical means shall be provided to prevent gates from swinging closed while switching operations are being performed.

m. All minimum side clearances prescribed herein are for tangent track. All structures adjacent to curved track shall have a minimum side clearance 1 foot greater than the equivalent minimum side clearance for tangent track. Where space is limited, the minimum side clearance for structures adjacent to track of not over 12 degrees curvature shall be the same as for tangent track, but if over 12 degrees curvature, 1/4 of an inch shall be added to the equivalent minimum side clearance for tangent track for each degree of the curve. Where track contains superelevation, minimum side clearances shall be increased as necessary to give the equivalent clearances based on tangent track.

n. Minimum side clearances authorized in this subsection are applicable to tracks on which freight cars having a maximum overall width not greater than 10 feet 10 inches are transported. On tracks over which freight cars of greater width are transported, such minimum side clearance shall be increased by not less than 1/2 of such additional width.

4. The minimum distance between the centerlines of parallel standard gage railroad tracks, which are used or proposed to be used for transporting freight cars, shall be 14 feet, except as follows:
a. The centerline of any standard gage track, except a main track, parallel and adjacent to a main track, shall be at least 15 feet from the centerline of main track.

b. The centerline of any standard gage ladder track, constructed parallel to any other track, shall have a clearance of not less than 20 feet from the centerline of other track.

c. Minimum clearance between the centerline of parallel house or industry tracks shall be 13 feet, except that railroads may require clearances in excess of this minimum when conditions so warrant.

d. Minimum-clearance between centerlines of two parallel team tracks shall be 13 feet, except that railroads may require clearances in excess of this minimum.

e. Minimum clearances prescribed herein are applicable only to tracks on which freight cars having a minimum overall width of 10 feet 10 inches are transported. On track over which freight cars of greater width are transported, minimum distance shall be increased by an amount equal to 1/2 such additional width.

f. Existing tracks may be maintained, reconstructed, or extended at centers in existence as of the effective date of the Section.

5. For track occupying or adjacent to public roadways:
a. Requirements for track occupying a public roadway shall be considered individually by the Commission.

b. Track adjacent to a public roadway shall have a minimum clearance of 10 feet from the centerline of track to the face of curb or edge of roadway. Railroad maintenance roads shall be exempt from the provisions of this subsection.

6. For roadway structures over or under railroad track:
a. Overhead roadway structures shall be a minimum of 23 feet above top of rail, except that overhead clearances greater than 23 feet may be approved when justified on the basis of railroad electrification.

b. Roadway structures beneath railroad track shall have a minimum clearance of 15 feet above the surface of the roadway or, if additional clearance is required, as determined by the Commission after public hearing.

7. The general clearance requirements shall be:
a. No merchandise, materials, equipment, or other articles shall be placed either on the ground or on a platform adjacent to any track at a distance less than 8 feet 6 inches from the centerline of track. A suitable line or other marker shall be maintained on all platforms at a distance of 8 feet 6 inches from the centerline of track to indicate minimum clearance for the articles.

b. Nothing herein shall be considered as preventing the movement of special work equipment or cars, except that such operations shall be conducted in a safe manner.

8. For impaired clearance signs:
a. Impaired clearance signs shall be of sufficient size to accommodate any wording prescribed by the Commission. The letters of said wording shall be at least 2 1/2 inches in height with a 1/2 of an inch black stroke on a fluorescent white background. In the event the Commission does not specify said wording, railroads may use their own wording for such warning signs.

b. Impaired clearance signs shall be located at no less than 8 feet 6 inches from the centerline of track, shall be in a position to be clearly visible to approaching train crews.

C. All railroads operating wholly or partially within the state of Arizona shall comply with the requirements of this Section in all construction, reconstruction, or modification of track or railroad facilities performed subsequent to the effective date of this Section.

D. Existing track, walkways, or railroad facilities may be maintained at existing clearances, except that such track, walkways, or railroad facilities shall not jeopardize the safety of railroad employees, industrial employees, or the general public.

E. Except as provided for in subsection (B)(4)(f) of this Section, all applications for exemption from any of the requirements of this Section shall be approved by the Commission prior to construction, reconstruction, or modification of track or railroad facilities adjacent thereto. An application for exemption shall:

1. Be submitted to the Railroad Safety Section, Arizona Corporation Commission;

2. Contain the full name and address of the applicant and the nature of the applicant's business;

3. Set forth the reason and the extent for which relief is sought;

4. Include sufficient information to support and justify the exemption; and,

5. If necessary, include engineering drawings to further clarify the application.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Arizona may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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