17 AAC 15.481. Railroad accommodation policy

(a) Grade separation is required for all railroad crossings on controlled-access highways. At-grade railroad crossings on rural highways and roads, and urban highways and streets will normally be allowed. However, the department will, in its discretion, require grade separation where warranted by conditions of topography and traffic density.

(b) A railroad crossing on a highway with defined shoulders may not be less than the full width of the highway including its defined shoulders. A railroad crossing on a rural highway with undefined shoulders must extend a minimum of five feet beyond the traveled portion of the highway. The surface of the highway must be in the same plane as the top of the rails for a distance of two feet outside of the rails for either multiple- or single-track crossings.

(d) A railroad/highway crossing sign (crossbuck) must be installed on the right-hand side of the roadway on each approach to any crossing, except when, in the discretion of the department, it is determined that local conditions require an alternate location. Where railroad/highway crossing signals are used, the crossbuck must be an integral part of the signal assembly. A supplemental sign indicating the number of tracks must be used where there are two or more sets of tracks at the crossing.

(e) The department will, in its discretion, require railroad crossing signals which indicate the approach or presence of trains to be installed at those railroad crossings where there is a need for protection beyond that provided by signs. On multiple-lane highways, cantilever-mounted signals will, in the discretion of the department, be required. For railroad crossings at highway intersections, additional signal-light units may be used to supplement the normal complement of lights. At crossings where multiple train movements may occur simultaneously or at crossings in congested urban areas, the use of gates will, in the discretion of the department, be required.

(f) Supports for post-mounted signal heads at the side of a street with curbs must have a horizontal clearance of not less than two feet from the face of the vertical curb. Where there is no curb, supports for post-mounted signal heads must have a horizontal clearance of not less than two feet from the edge of the shoulder, and must have a minimum clearance of six feet from the edge of the traveled way. Where there is no curb or shoulder, the minimum horizontal clearance must be six feet from the edge of the traveled way. All portions of signals and supports which extend over the roadway must have a vertical clearance of not less than 17 feet above the roadway surface.

(g) The department's chief bridge engineer is responsible for approving clearances proposed for new grade separation structures or for modifications of existing grade separation structures.

(h) All railroad signs and signals must conform to the requirements of the Alaska Traffic Manual, 2003, described in 17 AAC 20.950(1) , and adopted by reference, or the special provisions of a railroad permit issued under 17 AAC 15.471 relating to vertical clearances of signs and signals over highways or other highway-related facilities such as bike paths, pathways, and sidewalks.

(i) Railroad communication, electric power, pipeline, and drainage facilities installed in the department rights-of-way must be installed in accordance with 17 AAC 15.120 - 17 AAC 15.301.

History: Eff. 5/23/82, Register 82; am 2/5/2004, Register 169

Authority: AS 19.05.020

Editor's note: Copies of the Alaska Traffic Manual , adopted by reference in 17 AAC 15.481 are available for inspection at regional offices of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities located at Juneau, Anchorage, and Fairbanks, Alaska. The Alaska Traffic Manual also may be viewed through the department's Internet web site at http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwddes/dcstraffic/ atmintro.html.

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