Q-1. To which highway-rail grade crossings does Part 234 apply?”
A. Part 234 applies to public and private highway-rail grade crossings with “active warning devices.” There are limited exceptions identified under section 234.3.
Q-2. “What is an “Activation Failure,” and when must one be reported?”
A. An activation failure, as defined in section 234.5, is the failure of an active highway-rail grade crossing warning system to indicate the approach of a train at least 20 seconds prior to the train’s arrival at the crossing, or to indicate the presence of a train occupying the crossing, unless the crossing is provided with an alternative means of active warning to highway users of approaching trains. An activation failure is required to be reported on form FRA F6180.83 within 15 days of the occurrence (see section 234.9).
Any accident/incident involving a highway-rail grade crossing warning system activation failure is required to be reported by toll free telephone number 800-424-0201 within 24 hours (see section 234.7).
Q-3. “In what situations are flaggers required at highway-rail grade crossings experiencing a malfunction, and how does their presence affect allowable train speeds?”
Under the provisions of sections 234.105, 234.106, and 234.107, trains may proceed at normal speed if there is an appropriately equipped flagger present for each direction of highway traffic, or a uniformed law enforcement officer present. Trains may proceed with caution not to exceed 15 mph if an appropriately equipped flagger is present, but not one for each direction of highway traffic. With no flagger or uniformed law enforcement officer present, trains may proceed with caution not to exceed 15 mph at crossings involving either a Partial Activation, or False Activation. However, at crossings involving an Activation Failure and no flagger or uniformed law enforcement officer present, a train must stop and a crew member must dismount to flag highway traffic to a stop before the train occupies the crossing.
Q-4. “What would be some examples of being in violation of section 234.209 - interference with normal functioning of system?”
A. Section 234.209 states in part:
“. . .
(b) Interference includes, but is not limited to:
(1) Trains, locomotives, or other railroad equipment standing within the system’s approach circuit, other than normal train movements or switching operations, where the warning system in not designed to accommodate those activities.
(2) Not providing alternative methods of maintaining safety for the highway user while testing or performing work on the warning systems or on track and other railroad structures which may affect the integrity of the warning system.”
In simple terms, interference includes such as where equipment is parked or left standing that causes an active warning system to be in a false activation state; or, where work is being performed that causes or creates an unsafe condition, such as false activation, partial activation, or activation failure, and the required alternative means of warning to highway users is not established.
Q-5. “When is a highway-rail grade crossing active warning system required to be inspected or tested by a railroad?”
Various inspections and tests of these systems are required at any number of frequencies, dependent on the purpose and extent of the inspection or test. Regular periodic inspections and tests must be performed as prescribed in subpart D of part 234 - Maintenance, inspection, and testing. These periodic inspections and tests, again dependent on the type, are required anywhere from monthly (at least once every 30 days); to quarterly (at least once every three months); to annually (at least once every 12 months); to every four years (relays), to as long as every ten years (insulation resistance tests). All applicable inspections and tests are also required when a warning system is installed and at any time a system is modified or disarranged in a manner that may affect its proper functioning.
