Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services (2015) / Chapter Skim
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From page 56... ...
56 This chapter discusses the following 34 pedestrian treatments: 1. Channelization 2.
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Pedestrian Treatments 57 Treatment 1: Channelization Description Channelization treatments guide pedestrians to appropriate crossing locations, minimize the area in which crossings can be physically completed, and reduce conflict points. Applications Minimizing the number of conflict points for pedestrians is an approach used to improve safety.
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From page 58... ...
58 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Treatment 2: Barriers -- General Description Barriers physically restrict the movement of pedestrians. Barriers are similar to pedestrian fencing, and in some cases the terms pedestrian barriers and pedestrian fencing are used interchangeably.
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From page 59... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 59 Several styles of barriers are used, depending upon the needs at a site. Examples of barriers include the following: • Fencing that blocks pedestrians from crossing the tracks outside of the pedestrian crossing area (see Figure 25)
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60 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 26. Example of a planter used to restrict movement.
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Pedestrian Treatments 61 Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 28. Example of tubular barriers.
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62 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Cost The typical cost of barriers varies depending upon the style of the barrier. California 2012 contract data show $334/linear ft for pedestrian rail and $108/linear ft for barriers (65)
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From page 63... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 63 sight distance (if pedestrians are turned to face approaching rail vehicles but cannot see them because of obstructions, the offset crossing loses its effectiveness)
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64 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services able to easily circumvent them. The NCUTCD Railroad/Light Rail Transit Technical Committee developed recommended revisions to the MUTCD (8)
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Pedestrian Treatments 65 Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 34. Example of railing used between fences to slow and reorient pedestrians at a crossing.
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From page 66... ...
66 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Treatment 5: Barriers -- Pedestrian Fencing Description Fencing is a channelizing treatment to guide pedestrians at crossings. Fencing is similar to barriers, and in some cases the terms pedestrian barriers and pedestrian fencing are used interchangeably.
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Pedestrian Treatments 67 Benefits Specific research that documents the operational or safety benefits of this treatment was not identified. Cost The typical cost of fencing varies depending upon the style of the fence and materials used.
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68 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Treatment 6: Barriers -- Between-Car Barriers at Transit Platform Edges Description Between-car barriers are used at specific locations along transit platform edges or between rail cars to prevent passengers who are visually impaired from mistaking the space between the ends of rail cars for the doors into the cars. Applications Passengers who are visually impaired, especially passengers having little or no vision, and who travel with the aid of a long white cane, have fallen to the track bed between rail cars in a number of rail properties, sometimes resulting in injury, death, and/or expensive litigation.
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From page 69... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 69 and maintenance. Between-car barriers are installed along platform edges where they line up with gaps between cars.
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70 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Applications Temporary barriers restrict the crossing movements of pedestrians and cyclists and prevent them from randomly walking onto the rail. The barriers can be installed temporarily to restrict pedestrian and cyclist movements for limited periods of time and/or for infrequent events, such as sporting events.
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Pedestrian Treatments 71 Treatment 8: Design -- Clearly Defined Pedestrian Crossing Description Clear definition of crosswalks is essential for encouraging pedestrians to cross at intended locations. Applications The preferred location for a pedestrian crossing is where it is expected, where it is easy to locate, and where it is convenient to use.
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From page 72... ...
72 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services fencing may help pedestrians locate the crossings. Where crossings at intersections, midblock, or in stations are diagonal, indicating the direction of travel on the crossing by some type of tactile markings, as seen in Figure 44, is helpful to visually impaired pedestrians.
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From page 73... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 73 channelize pedestrians at an offset crossing. Pedestrians who are visually impaired can find the opening to the channel easily if they cross straight within the crosswalk to the center-running tracks, as seen in Figure 45 and Figure 46.
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From page 74... ...
74 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services to be used around the tracks. Other considerations include elevation changes (e.g., the need for a ramp and how the design may affect drainage in the area)
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Pedestrian Treatments 75 The smooth section enables pedestrians who have difficulty traversing bumpy surfaces to have that part of the path be a smooth surface. Benefits Smooth and level surfaces at grade crossings reduce the likelihood of trips and falls for all pedestrians and bicyclists.
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From page 76... ...
76 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services potential hazard at the crossing. For crossings controlled by either passive or active devices, if the sight distance is inadequate, then active positive control is essential.
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Pedestrian Treatments 77 Benefits Because specific treatments to improve sight distance can vary widely from site to site, specific safety or operational benefits have not been formally documented. Improvements in sight distance are likely to also result in improvements in the ability to hear oncoming vehicles, an important benefit for pedestrians with visual impairments.
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From page 78... ...
78 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services operate within traffic lanes, signs are posted at rail stops that instruct vehicle drivers to stop while passengers are loading and unloading from the inner lanes (see Figure 49)
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Pedestrian Treatments 79 loading and unloading. These stops also have a visual designation within the inside lane of the trolley stop location, including a block section of hatched pavement markings or different colored brick pavement.
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80 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services • Improved lighting. Improved lighting increases safety at crossings in stations, along with improving security at the locations.
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Pedestrian Treatments 81 Treatment 12: Design -- Illumination Description Illumination at crossings is necessary to improve nighttime visibility. Applications Illumination of crossings refers to lighting systems installed to increase the visibility of the rail crossing at night.
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82 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Cost Per the 2012 California contract data, the average cost of lighting is $70,000 per project (65)
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Pedestrian Treatments 83 Implementation As mentioned above, freight railroad requires a 3-inch flangeway gap at installation. This 3-inch gap is also applicable where commuter-rail transit systems operate on freight rail lines (13)
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84 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services to cross motorist traffic, the train tracks, and then another set of motorist traffic lanes to travel from one curb to the other. The design should be such that pedestrians are not standing too near the tracks, or in the roadway, when a train approaches.
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From page 85... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 85 A pedestrian refuge area between tracks is required to be defined by detectable warnings, as shown in Figure 57. See also Treatment 25: Pavement Markings -- Detectable Warnings in this chapter and Case Study C in Chapter 9.
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From page 86... ...
86 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Applications Where trains are center running, the side of the pedestrian crossing closest to a motor vehicle crossing can be marked with small break-away bollards. These bollards were recently installed in Los Angeles to reduce the likelihood of left-turning vehicles striking pedestrians in the crossing.
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Pedestrian Treatments 87 Source: adapted from RRLRT No 2a (9-08-12) Pathway Sidewalks (with January 10, 2013, edits by the committee)
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88 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Benefits While formal evaluations are not available, the anecdotal information is that the bollards are effective in separating left-turning vehicles and people either crossing the roadway or accessing the rail station. Cost The typical cost varies depending upon the style of bollard and materials used.
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Pedestrian Treatments 89 sign (R15-8)
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90 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Number of Tracks (plaque)
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Pedestrian Treatments 91 Treatment 18: Signs -- Unique Warning Messages Description In addition to the MUTCD-compliant signs discussed in Treatment 17: Signs -- Passive in this chapter, some transit agencies are using signs with messages unique to the area to communicate specific warnings to people who can see and understand the messages. Applications MUTCD (8)
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From page 92... ...
92 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 65. Example of the MUTCD LOOK sign (left side)
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Pedestrian Treatments 93 Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 67. Example of a LOOK BOTH WAYS sign on a swing gate in Los Angeles.
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94 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 69. Example of a LOOK BOTH WAYS sign used in a Dallas station.
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Pedestrian Treatments 95 Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 71. Closeup of a LOOK FOR TRAINS sign used in Austin.
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96 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Source: Brewer Figure 73. Example of a LOADING AND UNLOADING AHEAD sign and plaque used on the roadway in Dallas.
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Pedestrian Treatments 97 Cost Per the 2012 California contract data, the average cost of a sign is $18/square ft (65)
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98 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 75. Example of signs used at a Los Angeles station to communicate the need to not cross when the lights are flashing and that pedestrians should stop behind the yellow detectable warning stripe.
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Pedestrian Treatments 99 Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 77. Example of the sign used at a Los Angeles Metrolink station to reinforce the pavement marking message of staying behind the yellow line.
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100 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 80. A NO TRESPASSING sign used in Portland also showing the No Pedestrian on Track symbol along with DO NOT ENTER on the pavement at the edge of a pedestrian crossing.
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From page 101... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 101 • To increase the emphasis on the pedestrian restriction, Los Angeles adds a word message sign mounted on a fence that says PEDESTRIANS PROHIBITED to a sign with the No Pedestrian symbol (R9-3)
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102 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 85. Not a Pedestrian Walkway warning sign in Baltimore.
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Pedestrian Treatments 103 capture the attention of approaching pedestrians or contain the message most applicable to a particular location or set of conditions. In these situations, transit agencies may install signs with a display that changes depending on the conditions at a particular crossing.
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104 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 88. Example of an active blank-out sign with audible warning on the side in Baltimore.
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Pedestrian Treatments 105 Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 91. The pictogram within this blank-out sign in Los Angeles shows a side view of trains approaching from the right.
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106 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists of a left- or right-turn prohibition due to a train coming. According to TCRP Report 137 (4)
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From page 107... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 107 should not be started but may be completed, and a solid upraised hand that indicates when pedestrians should not enter the roadway. Los Angeles, in some locations, has added a blank-out sign next to the pedestrian signal head that illuminates a train symbol when a train is entering, exiting, or in the station.
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From page 108... ...
108 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services applicable to any pedestrian-rail crossing at a signalized intersection and may be achieved by numerous signal timing strategies. MUTCD 4D.27 states that priority control is typically given to "LRT vehicles." During transition into priority control, the omission of the entire pedestrian phase is permitted; however, shortening or omission of a pedestrian change interval during the transition is not permitted.
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From page 109... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 109 Benefits The use of similar traffic control devices at rail crossings and roadway crossings provides uniformity in communicating the same message of when it is appropriate to walk or not walk through a crossing. Cost California 2012 contract data show an average cost of $33,467 for a traffic control signal (65)
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From page 110... ...
110 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services MUTCD (8) but has been proposed for consideration (see Figure 99)
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Pedestrian Treatments 111 Cost Sriraj and Metaxatos (69) provide an estimated railroad cost of $65,169 for the installation of pedestrian flashing-light signals, crossing gates, and bells along with advance warning signs and pavement markings for a site in Illinois.
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From page 112... ...
112 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Yellow flashing lights embedded in the walking surface illustrate the location of the crossing to motorists. Similar to crosswalk markings, these yellow flashing lights can also show the appropriate path for pedestrians to take through a crossing.
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From page 113... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 113 Benefits Documented safety benefits for a pedestrian-rail-related installation were not identified. Cost The demonstration project at Paramount Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue was reported in 2008 to have cost between $55,000 and $60,000 (78)
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From page 114... ...
114 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Graphics illustrating where stop line and detectable warnings are often located are shown in the following figures: • Figure 33 (see Treatment 4) in relation to barriers used to reorient pedestrians.
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Pedestrian Treatments 115 Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 103. Example of STOP HERE pavement marking in conjunction with a swing gate in Portland.
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116 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Treatment 25: Pavement Markings -- Detectable Warnings Description Detectable warnings are a standardized walking surface, detectable by visually impaired pedestrians, that is installed at pedestrian-rail crossings to provide a boundary between a pedestrian walkway, boarding platform, or refuge and a vehicular travel area. Applications The surface texture for detectable warnings is defined in ADA standards (57, 58,)
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Pedestrian Treatments 117 The Proposed PROWAG (58) provides the following specifications regarding detectable warning placement at pedestrian at-grade rail crossings: R305.2.5 Pedestrian At-Grade Rail Crossings.
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From page 118... ...
118 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Source: adapted from RRLRT No 2a (9-08-12) Pathway Sidewalks (with January 10, 2013, edits by the committee)
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From page 119... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 119 Detectable warnings are sometimes placed where there are swing gates; however, it is unclear whether detectable warnings are really needed at these locations because the presence of the swing gates communicates the warning message to the pedestrian. The Proposed PROWAG (58)
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120 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services (see Figure 110)
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From page 121... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 121 Treatment 27: Pavement Markings -- Dynamic Envelope Markings Description Dynamic envelope markings indicate the area that a train occupies and advise nearby pedestrians to remain clear of that area. Applications Dynamic envelope markings indicate the clearance required for the train or LRT equipment overhang resulting from any combination of loading or lateral motion.
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From page 122... ...
122 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 112. Example of using smooth concrete for the train as compared to the brick pattern in the neighboring lanes.
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Pedestrian Treatments 123 Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 115. Example of raised buttons used alongside tracks in Austin.
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124 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services None of the pavement markings here are reliably detectable underfoot or with a long white cane to pedestrians who are visually impaired or blind, with the exception of the raised curbs used in Los Angeles. The raised buttons used in Austin and Dallas are sufficiently far apart that a person who is visually impaired may not encounter them either underfoot or with a long white cane.
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From page 125... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 125 In Portland, Oregon, an orientation and mobility specialist (a person qualified to teach independent travel skills to people who are visually impaired) and a pedestrian advocate who is blind independently mentioned that warnings that sound when automatic pedestrian gates are going down or up should sound throughout the time that trains are at the crossing or station.
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From page 126... ...
126 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Applications Pedestrian automatic gates descend when activated by train activity, blocking the pedestrian path across the tracks throughout the train activity duration. Figure 119 shows an illustration of a pedestrian gate placement separate from the automatic gate for vehicles at a sidewalk grade crossing.
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From page 127... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 127 Source: adapted from RRLRT No 2a (9-08-12) Pathway Sidewalks (with January 10, 2013, edits by the committee)
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From page 128... ...
128 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 121. Limited sight distance site with installation of pedestrian automatic gate and detectable warning (placed where it will be encountered by pedestrians who are traveling toward the rails, in advance of the automatic gate)
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From page 129... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 129 A clear zone is needed to serve as a pedestrian refuge between the automatic gate and the train's dynamic envelope so that pedestrians in the crossing are not trapped on the trackway when the gates are activated. The setback distance should be wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair.
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From page 130... ...
130 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 125. Example of pedestrian automatic gates with channelization and a swing gate for emergency exit.
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From page 131... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 131 Treatment 30: Infrastructure -- Pedestrian Automatic Gates with Horizontal Hanging Bar Description Pedestrian automatic gates with horizontal hanging bars, also known as gate skirts, consist of secondary horizontal hanging bars suspended from the existing pedestrian automatic gates to better block access to the crossing by pedestrians. Applications Horizontal hanging bars are added to pedestrian automatic gates to decrease the number of unauthorized entries under a deployed automatic gate.
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From page 132... ...
132 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services hanging bar at a location in New Jersey where there had been evidence of pedestrians going under the existing pedestrian automatic gate arm. Implementation Horizontal hanging bars can be added to existing pedestrian automatic gate mechanisms, as demonstrated in the FRA report (39)
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From page 133... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 133 Horizontal hanging bars have the additional benefit of enabling pedestrians who are visually impaired to detect a lowered gate with a long cane, if used, and come to a stop prior to bodily encountering the gate. Benefits The FRA report (39)
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From page 134... ...
134 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services Pedestrian swing gates should be considered in the following situations: • Pedestrian-to-train sight lines are restricted. • There is a high likelihood that pedestrians will quickly cross the tracks without looking.
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From page 135... ...
Source: Fitzpatrick Figure 133. Example of a swing gate for emergency exit from the rail side (note that a kick plate should be present)
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From page 136... ...
136 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services The swing gates are intended to prevent pedestrians from crossing into the track area without pausing and checking. Because pedestrians are required to actively open the gates, they are forced to be more alert to the risks associated with crossing the LRT tracks.
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From page 137... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 137 Treatment 32: Operations -- Required Stop Description As a policy, some stations or crossings may require the train operator to come to a complete stop. Applications Using required stops on the rail system may occur inside and outside stations.
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From page 138... ...
138 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services is occupied. This may not always require a full stop in advance but could also be accomplished by slowing, depending on the timing and spacing between the trains.
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From page 139... ...
Pedestrian Treatments 139 Implementation Transit system policy may dictate reduced speeds for dedicated purposes, such as school zones. Figure 138 shows an end school zone sign installed for the train operators in Portland where the train's operating speed is to be reduced to 20 mph within the school zone.
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140 Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services light-rail system. Ambassadors are former light-rail operators who are hired to be at key stations during times of significant use.
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Pedestrian Treatments 141 this specific activity since each ambassador already has over 20 years of training as an operator. The Rail Safety Ambassador Program provides continued education every 2 years.
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