Grade Crossings - Handbook

This document is meant to be used in conjunction with the Grade Crossings Regulations as well as the Grade Crossings Standards.

Table of contents

• Foreword
• Part A – Preface
  • Background
  • Objectives
  • Description
  • Article 1 – Interpretation
  • Article 2 - GCR Amendments
  • Article 3 - Citations
  • Article 4 - Units of Measurement
• Part B – Design standards
  • Article 5 – Crossing surface
  • Article 6 – Road geometry
  • Article 7 – Sightlines
  • Article 8 – Signs
  • Article 9 – Warning systems specifications
• Part C – Design calculations
  • Article 10 – Design considerations
  • Article 11 – Location of grade crossings
• Part D – Warning system design
  • Article 12 – Warning system operation
  • Article 13 – Number and location of light units
  • Article 14 – Light units – Alignment
  • Article 15 – Bells and gates
  • Article 16 – Circuitry
  • Article 17 – Warning systems and traffic signals installed at grade crossings in lieu of a warning system – Inspection and testing
• Part E – Interconnected devices
  • Article 18 – Prepare to stop at railway crossing sign (MUTCDC WB-6)
  • Article 19 – Interconnection of traffic signals with warning systems
  • Article 20 – Interconnected devices – Inspection and testing frequencies
• Part F – General
  • Article 21 – General requirements
  • Article 22 - Temporary Protection Measures
  • Article 23 – Exemptions / Notice of railway works and resumption of use
  • Article 24 – Sharing of information
  • Article 25 - Out of Service Railway Lines and Warning Systems
  • Article 26 – Maze barriers and guide fencing
  • Article 27 – Blocked crossings
  • Article 28 – Whistling cessation
• Part G
  • Article 29 - Grade Seperation
  • Article 30 – Left blank intentionally
  • Article 31 – Grade crossing safety assessment
• Part H
  • Appendix A – Light emitting diode (LED) signal modules
  • Appendix B – Limited use warning systems and signs
  • Appendix C – Limited use warning system with walk light
  • Appendix D – Whistling cessation
  • Appendix E – Guideline for determining minimum sightlines at grade crossings
  • Appendix F – Rail safety regional contacts
  • Appendix G – Sharing of information form road authority
  • Appendix H – Sharing of information form railway
  • Appendix I – Canadian grade crossing detailed safety assessment field guide
  • Appendix J – Testing requirements (railway)
  • Appendix K – Testing requirement (road authority)
  • Appendix L – Guideline for inspecting and testing pre-emption of interconnected traffic control signals and grade crossing warning systems
  • Appendix M – Supplemental engineering design guidance for vulnerable road users at grade crossings

Foreword

This document is developed to provide guidance on the engineering best practices and requirements for safety at or around grade crossings and is to be used as a complement to the requirements found in the Grade Crossings Regulations, and the incorporated by reference Grade Crossings Standards made pursuant to the Railway Safety Act. Every party responsible for a road or a railway line involving a grade crossing should consult the legal requirements of these instruments.

Minimum safety standards are set out for the construction, alteration, and maintenance of grade crossings, including the inspection and testing of grade crossing warning systems. They also include minimum safety standards for road approaches and other land adjoining the land on which the railway line is situated insofar as the safety of the grade crossings may be affected.

In addition to the GCR and GCS, the Railway Safety Act provides for Engineering Standards relating to the construction or alteration of railway works, and such engineering standards may embrace both physical specifications and performance standards. If a proposed railway work does not align with an Engineering Standard, an application for approval of the proposed work may be filed with the Minister of Transport for Canada under section 10 of the Railway Safety Act.

Any comments or suggestions regarding Engineering Standards or other grade crossings related requirements, should be addressed to the Rail Safety Directorate.

Email: RailSafety@tc.gc.ca
Phone: 613-998-2985
Toll-free: 1-844 897-RAIL (1-844 897-7245)
Fax: 613-990-7767

Mailing Address:

Transport Canada
Rail Safety Branch
Mailstop: ASR
427 Laurier Street West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5