APTA Rail Grade Crossing Working Group Completes Two Standards Updates

Rail grade crossings are among the most safety-critical locations in public transit. According to FTA data, between 2016 and 2023 there were 4,369 collisions at rail transit grade crossings in the United States, resulting in 116 fatalities and 814 injuries. Addressing that risk through clear industry standards is exactly what APTA’s Rail Grade Crossing Working Group was created to do.

The working group develops standards, recommended practices, and guidelines to increase safety, efficiency, and resiliency of rail transit systems. It recently completed updates to two key industry documents:

• The Recommended Practice for Rail Transit Grade Crossing and Trespass Prevention Public Education provides guidelines for developing public safety and trespass prevention education programs. This revision expands the document’s resources by incorporating sample safety materials from Operation Lifesaver and Operation Lifesaver Canada.
• The Recommended Practice for Rail Transit Grade Crossing Safety Assessment offers a structured approach for evaluating highway rail grade crossings. The update extends its scope to include modified rail grade crossings among those that should be assessed.

Both documents serve as resources for rail safety professionals, transit agencies, and anyone involved in planning or operating rail systems where they interact with roadways.

Agencies and stakeholders interested in participating in future virtual sessions are encouraged to contact Bryan Sooter, senior director‑standards and rail engineering, at bsooter@apta.com or Tytus Suchotinunt, program manager-standards, at tsuchotinunt@apta.com.