January 20, 1999

Memorandum To: James A. Smailes, P.E., Federal Railroad Administration

From: Mitch Eaton, Highway/Railroad Traffic Separation Engineer

Subject: Quarterly Report # 10, North Carolina Sealed CorridorProject: TIP Project No. P-3419; Next Generation High Speed Rail Grant

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has completed the following tasks as part of the Sealed Corridor project since our last report to you in October 1998:

• The Qwick Kurb portable median barriers installed last year are performing well. Based on current observations, it appears the median barriers require a roadway width of no less than 22 feet. The width should be greater for roadways with higher truck traffic percentages. The barriers should start between 15 to 20 feet from the outside edge of rail to not interfere with railroad crossing maintenance and high-rail operations.
• Because of damage from traffic to the median barrier at the SR-2539/Peach Orchard Rd. crossing, the Rail Division has removed the median barrier. We are preparing plans for the widening of the roadway and a concrete island type median barrier for testing at this location.
  The ticketing phase of the CLEAR Violations Video Ticketing System on the Henderson Street crossing in Salisbury, Rowan Co., was completed on January 4, 1999. There have been seven citations issued, with three citations pending until the Salisbury police can track the tags to the automobile owners. Of eleven violations recorded during the test, only one did not have enough information for ticketing, resulting in a 91 percent success rate for tag identification. The number of violations during the baseline period averaged 3 per week, and the number of violations dropped to 0.65 per week during the ticketing phase resulting in a 78 percent reduction in violations. Ticketing will continue, and there is the possibility of a second twenty-week test after modifications to the system are made.
• The Rail Division, Traffic Engineering & Safety Systems Branch’s Traffic Safety Systems Management Unit, and the Norfolk Southern Communications and Signals Department are still designing the two preemption phasing alternatives for railroad and highway signals at required four-quadrant gate locations. Authorization for the construction of four-quadrant gate systems at Fisher Ferry Rd., Prospect St., and Hickory Grove Rd. was given to Norfolk Southern in November 1998.
• The construction plans for the long gate arm locations are currently being designed. The plans will include construction notes for the installation of the health monitoring system. Due to the high number of long gate arm locations, the plans will be sent to Norfolk Southern in phases with the first phase of plans to be submitted by February 26, 1999.
• The health monitoring system will be authorized for installation at the median barrier locations after the Rail Division and Norfolk Southern meet in mid February. An authorization letter will be drafted at the meeting for submittal.
• The Rail Division is ready to begin implementation with the participating municipalities on the recommendations from the Traffic Separation Study to consolidate crossings between 36th Street in Charlotte and Liberty Street in China Grove. Final agreements of understanding between the NCDOT and the participating municipalities for the implementation of the study have been signed by the cities of Harrisburg, Landis, Kannapolis, China Grove, and Concord. The Rail Division is preparing to present and request acceptance of the study recommendations to the city of Charlotte.
• The engineering firm of Carter-Burgess is working with the NCDOT Planning and Environmental Branch to complete the environmental documentation necessary for the proposed connector road and grade separation that will enable the elimination of three redundant at-grade crossings in Greensboro. The City of Greensboro has agreed to design and construct the connector road with funding for construction provided by NCDOT.
• The "1-800" emergency phone number signs to be used in conjunction with the "Stop Here When Flashing" signs have been designed and are awaiting production. To conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for information signs related to motorist services the signs will have white lettering on a blue background.

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