Indiana Administrative Code
Title 105 - INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Article 5 - RAILROADS
Rule 10 - Opening and Closing Railroad Crossings
Section 10-1 - Criteria for opening a crossing

(1) Passenger trains do not operate in excess of sixty (60) m.p.h. at the location of the proposed crossing (Class 3 FRA track classification or higher). In cases where passenger service does not operate, this criteria is not applicable.

(2) An alternate public crossing is not located within one (1) mile of the proposed crossing.

(3) No crossings within two (2) miles of the proposed crossing have had at least three (3) accidents in the preceding five (5) years, with the expected characteristics of the proposed crossing being similar to the nearby crossings. Characteristics for all crossings within two (2) miles of the proposed crossing must be submitted with the petition.

(4) The proposed crossing will have expected average annual daily traffic (AADT) of five hundred (500) or greater in rural areas or one thousand (1,000) or greater in urbanized areas, where the traffic collection procedure is completed in accordance with the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Traffic Monitoring Guide, Third Edition, February 1995. This requirement shall not be applicable where a nonmotorized public grade crossing has been petitioned to the department for opening.

(5) Consideration shall be given to the overall design speed of the roadway approaches involving the proposed grade crossing. This requirement shall not be applicable where a nonmotorized public grade crossing has been petitioned to the department for opening.

(6) There are not more than ten (10) train movements per day at the proposed crossing.

(7) Freight trains do not operate in excess of twenty-five (25) m.p.h. at the location of the proposed crossing (Class 2 FRA track classification or higher).

(8) The proposed crossing has, at a minimum, standard crossbucks, pavement markings, and flashing lights. Any proposed crossing must also meet all standards for a rail-highway intersection as provided in the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which is incorporated by reference at 105 IAC 9-2-1. The requirement for flashing lights may be waived if the petitioner can demonstrate that such devices are not essential for safety at the proposed crossing.

(9) The proposed crossing is not within two hundred (200) feet of a roadway intersection. Adjustment of this criteria will consider the maximum queue expected for the design hour.

(10) The proposed crossing does not have, at a minimum, an eighty (80) degree intersection alignment.

(11) The proposed crossing will not provide access for trucks carrying hazardous materials unless the utilization of the crossing by such traffic is incidental.

(12) The proposed crossing will not provide access for vehicles carrying passenger for hire unless the utilization of the crossing by such traffic is incidental.

(13) The proposed crossing will not provide access for school buses unless the use of the crossing by the school bus traffic provides enhanced safety over other transportation routes, as documented by the highest school transportation official.

(14) The proposed crossing will provide improved safety access for emergency vehicles. The department requires documentation from the highest emergency response official whose jurisdiction is located where the crossing is proposed for opening.

(15) While a new crossing may satisfy the conditions listed in this section, if it can be shown by evidence that there are extenuating circumstances which, in the opinion of the department, a new crossing would still constitute a hazard, it would be denied.

(16) While a new crossing may not satisfy the conditions listed in this section, if it can be shown by evidence that there are extenuating circumstances which, in the opinion of the department, a new crossing would still be justified, it would be approved.