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- 21 - APPENDIX

PHASE I RECOMMENDATIONS—ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RAILROAD GRADE CROSSING TASK FORCE

Based on the analysis available information and data, the Task Force developed the following Phase I recommendations. Recommendations 1, 2, 3, and 5 make an innovative use of a red and yellow color coding. The coding is used throughout the series of advance warning signs, crossbucks, gates, and delineators in the situations in which they would be used. Such coding would help satisfy the human factors needs for quick, easy recognition of grade crossings.

1.

The Task Force recommends, subject to obtaining necessary clearances, red and yellow crossbucks be installed on an experimental basis at all crossings in the Chicago—St. Louis corridor.

2.

To increase both day and nighttime visibility and to reduce the potential for accidents caused by vehicles running through a crossing protected by gates, the Task Force recommends that existing gates be converted to reflectorized red and yellow with strips that hang vertically when the gates are in a horizontal position. If the approvals necessary to use the unique red and yellow color coding cannot be obtained in time to accomplish this work within the target time limit, the contingency recommendation is to upgrade all gates to the standard reflectorized red and white.

3.

To provide motorists adequate advance notice that a railroad grade crossing is near on which high speed trains are operated, it is recommended reflectorized, red and yellow, high intensity, advance warning signs be installed at each grade crossing in the Chicago-St. Louis corridor.

4.

To significantly increase motorists' awareness of approaching grade crossing, the Task Force recommends thermoplastic pavement markings be applied to all unmarked intersecting road approaches in the Chicago—St. Louis corridor.