GRADE CROSSING SAFETYJASON L. SANCHEZ

MANAGER PUBLIC PROJECTSSAN BERNARDINO, CA

S E P T E M B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 7S C O RT A N N U AL M E E T I N G

OA K L A N D , C A

Agenda• BNSF Overview• BNSF Grade Crossing Statistics• The Three E’s of Safety• Grade Crossing Safety Initiatives

• Crossing Closures• Interconnected Crossings

• Coordination Opportunities• BNSF and State DOT Coordination• Quiet Zones• Trespassing

BNSF Railway 160 Year History BNSF Ships:

Agricultural Consumer Industrial Coal

28 States 43,000 Employees 32,500 Track Miles 13,000 Bridges (306 Miles) 89 Tunnels (34 Miles) 30,000 Crossings 1,600 Trains Per day

BNSF Grade Crossing Statistics

30,186 Total Crossings• 17,084 Public At-Grade (8,691 with active warning

devices)• 8,460 Private At-Grade (160 with active warning

devices)• 188 Pedestrian At-Grade• 2,302 Overpasses• 2,152 Underpasses

The Three E’s of SafetyBNSF views grade crossing safety through 3 lenses:Engineering • Safety upgrades (Section 130, signal and surface upgrades)

• Grade separations• Quiet Zones• Pedestrian CrossingsEducation • Community Safety Events• Operation Lifesaver • Level Crossing Awareness DayEnforcement• Officer on the train• Targeted enforcement with local public safety officers at high incident

areas

Grade Crossing Safety Initiatives

Crossing ClosuresCorporate initiative started in 2000 to eliminate redundant or unnecessary crossings6210 Crossings Closed LTD (public and private)BNSF has closed crossings that are redundant, in railroad sidings, as part of a grade separation, quiet zones, etc.

Interconnected Crossings576 Interconnected Crossings on BNSFBNSF has ongoing initiative to work with agencies to bring crossings up to current MUTCD standards.Each interconnected crossing has been evaluated by BNSF and status report was sent to each agency.Reinforced emphasis from FRA (2016) to State DOT’s and Railroads to review interconnected crossings and address gaps.

BNSF Coordination with Public Agencies

Opportunities for Collaboration

BNSF and State DOT CoordinationSystematic review of long range roadway and rail projects by State DOT and BNSF Goal: Identify “win-win-win” opportunities that benefit the road authority, traveling public and BNSF in safety.Focus areas:• Road crossings in rail sidings• Grade separations• Highway projects adjacent to (or over) rail facilities

Quiet Zones191 Total Quiet Zones on BNSF• 21 Pre-rule, 170 New Rule, Representing 690 total crossingsBNSF strongly recommends agencies interested in QZ’s to:• Perform on-site diagnostic process with BNSF,

Local Agency, State DOT, Regional FRA rep to review all crossings included in proposed QZ

• Consider SSM’s at all crossings included in QZ to discourage motorist from driving around gates (i.e. raised concrete medians)

• Include public awareness campaign with QZ plan to educate community about QZ

BNSF has dedicated legal counsel to review all NOI’s and NOE’s for compliance with Train Horn Rule

BNSF and Public Agencies Trespassing• Pedestrian trespassing incidents are on the rise• BNSF continues to work with agencies to educate

and discourage trespassing• BNSF is working with local agencies on fencing projects in high incident areas• BNSF Police constantly inspect and monitor high incident areas and homeless encampments• Continue our relationship with Operation Lifesaver