NOACA Regional ITS Architecture

Roadway Advanced Rail Crossing Functional Area

Description

'Roadway Advanced Rail Crossing' manages highway traffic at highway–rail intersections (HRIs) where operational requirements demand advanced features (e.g., where rail operational speeds are greater than 80 miles per hour). The active warning systems supported by this application include positive barrier systems which preclude entrance into the intersection when the barriers are activated. This application is activated on notification by wayside interface equipment which detects, or communicates with the approaching train. In this application, additional information about the arriving train is also provided by the wayside interface equipment so that the train's direction of travel, its estimated time of arrival, and the estimated duration of closure may be derived. This enhanced information may be conveyed to the driver prior to, or in context with, warning system activation. This application also includes detection capabilities which enable it to detect an entrapped or otherwise immobilized vehicle on the grade crossing and provide an immediate notification to the wayside interface equipment and traffic management.

Included In

Municipal Field Equipment
Ohio DOT Traffic Signal Roadway Equipment

Functional Requirements

ID	Requirement
01	The field element shall collect and process, traffic sensor data in the vicinity of a highway–rail intersection (HRI).
02	The field element shall determine whether the highway–rail intersection (HRI) is blocked by traffic in the roadway or some other obstruction.
03	The field element shall notify the traffic management center and the rail wayside equipment of any intersection blockages, including trapped vehicles or other obstructions.
04	The field element shall monitor the status of the highway–rail intersection (HRI) equipment, including both the current state and mode of operation and the current equipment condition, to be forwarded on to the traffic management center.
05	The field element shall monitor the status of the highway–rail intersection (HRI) equipment, including both the current state and mode of operation and the current equipment condition, to be forwarded on to the rail wayside equipment.
06	The field element shall receive track status and arriving train information from the rail wayside equipment that can be passed on to the traffic management center. This may include the current status of the tracks and when a train is expected and/or how long the crossing will be closed.
07	The field element shall collect pedestrian images and pedestrian sensor data, and respond to pedestrian crossing requests via display, audio signal, or other manner.
08	The field element shall control the dynamic message signs (DMS) in the vicinity of a highway–rail intersection (HRI) to advise drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians of approaching trains.
09	The field element shall close the highway–rail intersection (HRI) when a train is approaching with enough time for traffic to safely clear the crossing using gates, lights/signs, barriers, and traffic control signals.
10	The field element shall support the integrated control of adjacent traffic signals to clear an area in advance of an approaching train and to manage traffic around the intersection.
11	The field element shall forward rail traffic advisories received from the Wayside Equipment to the traffic management center.
12	The field element shall provide approaching train advisories using field–vehicle communications to vehicles approaching the grade crossing.