Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 672 - STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Chapter 672-16 - CRITERIA FOR ELIMINATION OF HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSINGS
Rule 672-16-.01 - Definitions

(a) "AASHTO": The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

(b) "Average Daily Traffic" (ADT): The volume of traffic typical in a 24 hour period.

(c) "Clearing Sight Distance": The distance required for a vehicle to safely pass over and clear a crossing when departing from a stopped position as shown in the current edition of the AASHTO Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets.

(d) "Department": The Department of Transportation of the State of Georgia; sometimes abbreviated as GDOT.

(e) "Engineer": The Chief Engineer of GDOT, acting directly or through a duly authorized representatives acting within the scope of the particular duties and responsibilities assigned to them.

(f) "Highway-rail grade crossing": The area where a highway and a railroad's right-of-way cross at the same level, within which are included the railroad tracks, highway and the associated traffic control devices.

(g) "Land-locked property": Property by which all ingress, egress and/or access has been eliminated, removed or cut-off.

(h) "O.C.G.A": The Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

(i) "Passive highway-rail grade crossing": A crossing that has standard signs and/or pavement markings that provide warning that there is a highway-rail grade crossing.

(j) "Signalized highway-rail grade crossing": A crossing that has train activated warning devices, typically in the form of bells, lights and gates.

(k) "Railroad": All corporations, companies, or individuals owning or operating any railroad in this state. This title shall apply to all persons, firms, and companies, and to all associations of persons, whether incorporated or otherwise, that engage in business as common carriers upon any of the lines of railroad in this state, as well as to railroad corporations and railroad companies as defined in O.C.G.A.

(l) "Railroad main line": All portions of the railway line not used solely as yards, spurs, and side tracks.

(m) "Skew Angle": The interior angle measured between a line that extends the roadway centerline perpendicular from the stop bar to the nearest rail.

(n) "Train": One or more locomotives coupled with or without rail cars, that operates on rails or tracks and to which all other traffic must yield the right-of-way at highway-rail grade crossings.

(o) "Vehicle": Every device in, upon or by which, any person or property can be transported or drawn upon any highway, road or street except trains and light rail transit operating in exclusive alignments. Light rail transit operating in a mixed-use or shared alignment to which other traffic is not required to yield the right-of-way by law, is a vehicle.