- 5. Crossing Surface
- 6. Road Geometry (Grade Crossings and Road Approaches)
- 7. Sightlines
- 8. Signs
- 9. Warning Systems Specification
5. Crossing Surface
5.1 Crossing surface of a grade crossing, and a crossing surface of a sidewalk, path or trail must be as shown in Figure 5-1 and in accordance with Grade Crossing Surface - Cross Section, and must be smooth and continuous.
(a) Road, including a path or trail
Figure 5-1 a) - Text version
Plan view of a crossing surface with a road, path or trail. Dimensions and arrows show the components
The grade crossing surface shall extend 0.5 m or more beyond the shoulder, when there is one, or 0.5 m beyond the travelled surface when there is no shoulder.
Figure 5-1 (b) - Text version
Plan view of a crossing surface with sidewalk, path or trail along a road. Dimensions and arrows show the components
The crossing surface shall extend 0.5 m or more beyond the sidewalk; or beyond the shoulder, where there is one. Crossing surface of a sidewalk, path or trail along a road may be separate from the road crossing surface if there is 1.0 m or more between the two crossing surfaces. Otherwise, crossing surface must be continuous.
Grade Crossing Surface – Cross Section
The following list outlines the maximum and minimum width and depth of the flangeway gap and the field side gap and the elevation of top of rail with respect to the crossing surface.
- Flangeway:
Width- Minimum: 65 mm
- Maximum for:
- Public sidewalks, paths or trails designated by the road authority for use by persons using assistive devices: 75 mm
- All other grade crossings: 120 mm
- Minimum: 50 mm
- Maximum for:
- Public sidewalks, paths and trails designated by the road authority for use by persons using assistive devices: 75 mm
- All other grade crossings: No limit
- Field side gap
A space is permitted on the outer side of the rail at rural locations, except for public sidewalks, paths or trails designated by the road authority for use by persons using assistive devices.- Maximum width: 120 mm
- Maximum depth: No limit
- Elevation of the top of the rail with respect to the crossing surface
The top of the crossing surface must be installed as close as possible to the top of the rail within the wear limits below:
Wear limits:
Public sidewalk, path or trail designated by the road authority for use by persons using assistive devices- Maximum distance of the top of the rail above crossing surface: 13 mm
- Maximum distance of the top of the rail below crossing surface: 7 mm
All other public grade crossings; the maximum distance of the top of the rail above or below the crossing surface: 25 mm
Private grade crossings; the maximum distance of the top of the rail above or below the crossing surface: 50 mm
6. Road Geometry (Grade Crossings and Road Approaches)
6.1 The horizontal and vertical alignment of the road approach and the crossing surface must be smooth and continuous.
6.2 The allowable difference between the road approach gradient and railway cross-slope, or the railway gradient and the road approach cross-slope, must be in accordance with Table 6-1 Difference in Gradient.
6.3 The maximum gradients for road approaches must not exceed the following:
- ratio of 1:50 (2 per cent) within 8 m of the nearest rail and 1:20 (5 per cent) for 10 m beyond, at public grade crossings for vehicular use;
- ratio of 1:50 (2 per cent) within 8 m of the nearest rail and 1:10 (10 per cent) for 10 m beyond, at private grade crossings for vehicular use;
- ratio of 1:50 (2 per cent) within 5 m of the nearest rail at a sidewalk, path or trail; and
- ratio of 1:100 (1 per cent) within 5 m of the nearest rail at a sidewalk, path or trail designated by the road authority for use by persons using assistive devices.
6.4 The width of the travelled way and shoulders at the crossing surface must not be less than the width of the travelled way and shoulders on the road approaches.
6.5 A grade crossing angle, measured from the tangent of the centreline of the road approach at the crossing surface, to the tangent of the centreline of the line of railway, shall, where the railway design speed is more than 25 km/h (15 mph) be:
- not less than 70 and not greater than 110 degrees for grade crossings without a warning system; or
- not less than 30 and not greater than 150 degrees for grade crossings with a warning system.
Table 6-1 – Difference in Gradient
| Classification | Difference in Gradient (%) |
|---|---|
| RLU | 2 |
| RCU | 1 |
| RCD | 1 |
| RAU | 0 |
| RAD | 0 |
| RFD | - |
| ULU | 3 |
| UCU | 2 |
| UCD | 2 |
| UAU | 0 |
*Legend
Urban (U) Rural (R) Local (L) Collector (C) Arterial (A) Expressway (E) Freeway (F) Divided (D) Undivided (U)
Source: Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads, published by the Transportation Association of Canada and dated September 1999
7. Sightlines
7.1 General
7.1.1 Sightlines are measured from a point 1.05 m above the road surface to a point 1.2 m above top of lowest rail.
7.1.2 For the purposes of section 28(b) of the GCR, refer to the Class of Track in the Table below:
| Class of Track | The maximum allowable operating speed for freight trains is | The maximum allowable operating speed for passenger trains is |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 track | 17 km/h (10 mph) | 25 km/h (15 mph) |
| Class 2 track | 41 km/h (25 mph) | 49 km/h (30 mph) |
| Class 3 track | 65 km/h (40 mph) | 97 km/h (60 mph) |
| Class 4 track | 97 km/h (60 mph) | 129 km/h (80 mph) |
| Class 5 track | 129 km/h (80 mph) | 153 km/h (95 mph) |
7.2 Determination of sightlines
In Figure 7-1,
- SSD is the stopping sight distance and is calculated using the following formula:
SSD=0.278 x 2.5 x V + d
d = braking distance (m)
V = initial speed (km/h) - DSSD is the minimum distance along the line of railway that a crossing user must see approaching railway equipment from the stopping sight distance, and does not apply if the grade crossing is equipped with a Stop sign or warning system or sidewalks, path or trails.
DSSD is equal to the distance required for the design vehicle at its design speed to go from the stopping sight distance completely past the clearance point on the other side of the grade crossing.
DSSD = 0.278VT x TSSD (m)
DSSD = 1.47VT x TSSD (ft.)
Where,
VT = railway design speed in km/h or mph and
TSSD = [(SSD + cd + L)/0.278V] (s).
Where,
V = road crossing design speed (km/h)
cd = grade crossing clearance distance (m)
L = length of the grade crossing design vehicle (m) - DStopped is the minimum distance along the line of railway that a crossing user must be able to see approaching railway equipment from the stopped position at a grade crossing.
DStopped is equal to the greater of the distances that railway equipment at the railway design speed will travel during- the Departure Time for the grade crossing design vehicle calculated in accordance with article 10.3.2, or
- the Departure Time for pedestrians, cyclists, and persons using assistive devices calculated in accordance with article 10.3.3.
Dstopped = 0.278 VT x Tstopped (m)
Dstopped = 1.47 VT x Tstopped(ft.)
Where,
VT = railway design speed in km/h or mph
Tstopped = the Departure Times, calculated in accordance with article 10.3
a) Sightlines for Users Stopped at a Grade Crossing (applicable to all quadrants).
Figure 7-1 a) - Text version
Dimensions and arrows illustrate the clear sightline area along the railway right of way, location of the railway crossing sign and D stopped
The road edge of the sightline triangle is obtained by the distance from a point at the road driver's position to the nearest rail, a distance of 5 m (16.4 ft )
Figure 7-1 b) - Text version
Dimensions and arrows illustrate the clear sightline area, SSD and D SSD
The road edge of the sightline triangle consists of the distance obtained by adding the SSD with the distance from a point on the longitudinal axis of the roadway, which is 5 m (16.4 ft) perpendicular to the nearest rail..
8. Signs
8.1 Railway Crossing Sign and Number of Tracks Sign
All grade crossings:
8.1.1 A sign providing warning of a grade crossing (Railway Crossing sign) must be as shown in Figure 8-1(a) and must:
- have a retroreflective coating that covers the entire surface of the signs, and
- have a 50 mm border on the front of each blade, with transparent red ink silk-screen processed over sheeting material;
8.1.2 A sign indicating the number of tracks at a grade crossing (Number of Tracks sign) must be as shown in Figure 8-1(b) and must:
- have a retroreflective coating that covers the entire front surface of the sign:
- have a digit and symbol that is transparent red inked silk- screened processed and:
- be installed on the support post of each railway crossing sign as shown in Figure 8-3(c).
Additional requirements for grade crossings without Warning Systems
8.1.3 A 100 mm retroreflective strip must be applied on the back of each blade of the Railway Crossing Sign, for the full length of each blade;
8.1.4 A 50 mm strip of silver white sheeting must be applied on the front and back of the supporting post, extending from no higher than 300 mm above the crown of the adjacent road surface to 70 mm above the centre of the Railway Crossing sign and must be as shown in Figure 8-2.
8.1.5 The railway crossing sign must be located:
- between 0.3 m and 2.0 m from the face of the curb, or the outer edge of the road shoulder or, where there is no curb or shoulder, 2.0 m to 4.5 m from the edge of the travelled way; and
- must not be located closer than 3 m measured to the nearest rail, as shown in Figure 8-3(a) and 8-3(b).
8.1.6 A sidewalk, path or trail with a centreline that is more than 3.6 m (12 ft.) from a Railway Crossing sign supporting post beside a road approach for vehicle traffic must have separate Railway Crossing signs, as shown in Figure 8-3(a).
8.1.7 The supporting post, on which is installed the Railway Crossing sign and the Number of Tracks sign, must:
- Unless the Railway Crossing sign is installed on the mast of a warning system, the supporting posts must be of such construction that a 820 kg vehicle striking it at speeds 32 km/h or more, will not have a change in velocity greater than 4.57 m per second.
Retroreflective Material
8.1.8 Retroreflective material referred to in 8.1.1 to 8.1.4 must meet the specifications for Type IV material, white sheeting, as specified in sections 4.2.4 and 6.1.4 of ASTM D4956 (cited in Part A) when tested in accordance with the Test Methods for Type IV material specified in sections 7 and 9 of that Standard.
8.1.9 The retroreflection coefficient of the retroreflective material referred to in 8.1.8 is to be maintained above 50 per cent of the value specified for Type IV material specified in article 6.1.4 of ASTM D4956 (cited in Part A).
(a) Railway Crossing Sign
Figure 8-1 a) - Text version
Diagram 8-1 (a), uses lines and arrows to illustrate the dimensions and angle of a Railway Crossing sign.
The blades of the Railway Crossing Sign shall be 45 degrees from the centre line of the sign. 90 degrees shall separate each blade. Each blade is white and has a red perimeter that is 50 mm in thickness. Each blade is 200 mm high and 1220 mm wide. From the center of the width of each blade no red shall appear for 50 mm to each side of the center line.
Figure 8-1 b) - Text version
Diagram 8-1 (b), uses arrows to illustrate the dimensions of the Number of Tracks sign.
The Number of Tracks Sign shall have a picture of railway tracks with the number of tracks identified right above. Each tie, of the railway tracks image, is 32 mm wide and there shall be a gap of 93 mm between each tie. The bottom part of the sign is 690 mm wide minimum and 200 mm high minimum. The railway tracks image shall be centered on the sign and the tracks shall be 13 mm thick and the distance between the tracks shall be 76 mm. The top part of the sign consists of a rectangle that is 200 mm wide and between 200 and 229 mm high and is centered with the lateral axis of the bottom portion of the sign. The font of the number shall be Helvetica Medium at 152.5 mm high.
Figure 8-2 - Text version
Figure 8-2 is a back view and a front view of a railway crossing sign and sign supporting post with lines and arrows to illustrate the dimensions and placement of the retroreflective stripes.
The retroreflective stripes on the back of the railway crossing sign blades is 100 mm wide and is centered laterally and applied along the longitudinal axis of the blades.
A retroreflective stripe is applied to the back and the front of the mast of the railway crossing sign and is 50 mm wide and is centered laterally and applied along the longitudinal axis of the mast. It extends to a point which is 300 mm maximum from the crown of the road and to a point which is 70 mm past the intersection of the railway crossing sign blades.
(a) Railway Crossing Sign
Figure 8-3 - Text version
Figure 8-3 has four diagrams. The first three diagrams illustrate the location of the signs on roads of different configuration (angle greater than 90˚, angle 90˚ or less and multi-lane one-way or divided road.) the last diagram shows how Railway Crossing sign and the Number of tracks sign should be placed on the post.
8-3 a)
As provided for under article 8.1.7 (f) a sidewalk, path or trail with its centreline more than 3.6 m (12 ft.) from a railway crossing sign supporting post beside a road approach for vehicle traffic must have separate railway crossing signs.
Figure 8-3 b) - Text version
For crossings where the angle between the railway tracks and the roadway is greater than 90 degrees, the intersection between the perpendicular line from the Railway Crossing Sign and the longitudinal axis of the roadway shall be positioned at a minimum of 3 m from the nearest rail.
For crossings where the angle between the railway tracks and the roadway is less than 90 degrees, the Railway Crossing Sign shall be positioned at a minimum of 3 m from the nearest rail.
Figure 8-3 c) - Text version
The Railway Crossing Sign shows that the lowest edge of the blades shall be between 1.5 and 2.5 m from the crown of the road. The Number of Tracks Sign is shown just below the Railway Crossing Sign and the upper edge of the Number of Tracks Sign is in line with the tangent of the lower edges of the Railway Crossing Sign. The center of the Railway Crossing Sign is 0.5 m above the top of the Number of Tracks Sign.
The Railway Crossing Sign shall be positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roadway.
8.2 Railway Crossing Ahead Sign and Advisory Speed Tab Sign
8.2.1 A sign providing advanced warning of a grade crossing (Railway Crossing Ahead sign) and a sign specifying a recommended speed (Advisory Speed Tab sign) must be as shown in articles A3.4.2 and A3.2.5 in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada (cited in Part A) and must meet the applicable standards set out in article A1.6 of that Manual, as the case may be.
8.3 Stop Ahead Sign
8.3.1 A Stop Ahead sign must be as shown in article A3.6.1 of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada (cited in Part A) and must meet the applicable standards set out in article A1.6 of that Manual.
8.4 Stop Sign
8.4.1 A Stop sign must be as shown in article A2.2.1 of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada (cited in Part A) and must meet the applicable standards set out in article A1.6 of that Manual. Where required by law, the word “Arrêt” will replace the word “Stop”, or may be added to the Stop Sign.
8.4.2 When a Stop sign is installed on the same post as a Railway Crossing sign, it must be installed as shown in Figure 8-4.
Figure 8-4 - Text version
A diagram showing the placement of railway crossing sign, stop sign and number of tracks sign on the post.
The bottom edge of the stop sign is located at a minimum of 1.8 m from the crown of the road in urban areas and 1.5 m in rural areas.
The intersection of the railway crossing sign blades is located at a maximum of 3.0 m from the crown of the road. An exception is shown for cases where a stop sign of 1.2 m is used. In this case, the maximum for the height of the intersection of the railway crossing sign blades is 3.5 m from the crown of the road.
8.5 Emergency Notification Sign
8.5.1 An Emergency Notification sign that provides information on the location of the grade crossing and the railway company’s emergency telephone number, must be installed
- parallel to the road, or
- on each side of the grade crossing, facing traffic approaching the grade crossing.
8.5.2 the emergency notification sign must be clearly legible
9. Warning Systems Specification
9.1 The specifications for a public grade crossing at which a warning system without gates is required are as follows:
- where the forecast cross-product is 2,000 or more;
- Where there is no sidewalk, path or trail and the railway design speed is more than 129 km/h (80 mph);
- Where there is a sidewalk, path or trail and the railway design speed is more than 81 km/h (50 mph); or
- where the railway design speed is more than 25 km/h (15 mph) but less than the railway design speed referred to in b) or c), as the case may be, and
- where there are two or more lines of railway where railway equipment may pass each other; or
- the distance as shown in Figure 9-1(a) between a Stop sign at an intersection and the nearest rail in the crossing surface is less than 30 m; or
- in the case of an intersection with a traffic signal, the distance between the stop line of the intersection and the nearest rail in the crossing surface, as shown in Figure 9-1(b), is less than 60 m, or where there is no stop line, the distance between the travelled way and the nearest rail in the crossing surface is less than 60 m.
9.2 Specifications for a public grade crossing at which a warning systems with gates is required are as follows:
9.2.1 a warning system is required under article 9.1 and;
- the forecast cross-product is 50,000 or more;
- there are two or more lines of railway where railway equipment may pass each other;
- the railway design speed is more than 81 km/h (50 mph);
- the distance as shown in figure 9-1(a) between a Stop Sign at an intersection and the nearest rail in the crossing surface is less than 30 m; or
- in the case of an intersection with a traffic signal, the distance between the stop line of the intersection and the nearest rail in the crossing surface, as shown in Figure 9-1(b), is less than 60 m, or where there is no stop line, the distance between the travelled way and the nearest rail in the crossing surface is less than 60 m.
9.3 The specifications for a private grade crossing at which a warning system without gates is required are as follows:
9.3.1 where the forecast cross-product is 2,000 or more, or
9.3.2 where the railway design speed is more than 25 km/hr (15 mph), and;
- the forecast cross-product is 100 or more and there are two or more lines of railway where railway equipment may pass each other;
- the forecast cross-product is 100 or more and grade crossing does not includes a sidewalk, path or trail and the railway design speed is more than 129 km/hr (80 mph); or
- the grade crossing includes a sidewalk, path or trail and the railway design speed is more than 81 km/hr (50 mph).
9.4 The specifications for a private grade crossing at which a warning system with gates is required are as follows:
9.4.1 a warning system is required under article 9.3 and;
- the forecast cross-product is 50,000 or more;
- there are two or more lines of railway where railway equipment may pass each other; or
- the railway design speed is more than 81 km/hr (50 mph).
9.5 The specifications for a grade crossing for a sidewalk, path or trail where a warning system without gates is required are as follows:
- the sidewalk, path or trail is outside the island circuit of an adjacent warning system, and
- the railway design speed is more than 81 km/hr (50 mph).
9.6 The specifications for a grade crossing for a sidewalk, path or trail where a warning system with gates is required are as follows:
- the sidewalk, path or trail is outside the island circuit of an adjacent warning system,
- the railway design speed is more than 25 km/hr (15 mph), and
- there are two or more lines of railway.
(a) Intersection with Stop Sign
Figure 9-1 (a) - Text version
Plan view of a grade crossing using dimensions and arrows to illustrate the proximity of grade crossing warning systems to stop signs at a T-intersection or crossroad.
The distance between a stop position of a lead vehicle and the nearest rail is provided for in article 9.1.
Figure 9-1 (b) - Text version
Plan view of a grade crossing using dimensions and arrows to illustrate the proximity of gradecrossing warning systems to traffic signals stop signs at a T-intersection or crossroad.
The distance between a stop line of a lead vehicle and the nearest rail is provided for in article 9.2.