Oklahoma’s US$100 million rail crossings upgrade

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is to fast-track hundreds of projects to improve more than 300 rail crossings state-wide and upgrade safety warning features on rail crossings across the state. Many of these crossings have only rail crossing signs or faint pavement markings and no flashing lights or cross arms to serve as additional warning for motorists of oncoming trains. According to ODOT, of the more than 3,700 at-grade rail crossings in the state, many have some level of recognised d
August 28, 2014 Read time: 2 mins

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (784 ODOT) is to fast-track hundreds of projects to improve more than 300 rail crossings state-wide and upgrade safety warning features on rail crossings across the state. Many of these crossings have only rail crossing signs or faint pavement markings and no flashing lights or cross arms to serve as additional warning for motorists of oncoming trains.

According to ODOT, of the more than 3,700 at-grade rail crossings in the state, many have some level of recognised deficiencies when it comes to rail crossing safety. Most of the crossings are on local roads but the department remains involved because of overall rail safety.

ODOT anticipates the rail crossings can be modernised and greatly improved by adding rail safety infrastructure such as high-visibility signage, cross bucks, gates, hazard lighting and pavement markings.

The improvements are being funded by combining proceeds from the recent sale of the Sooner Sub rail line in addition to dedicated rail safety funds from ODOT and other partners.

"The department has long recognised the great need for improving rail crossings on the state, county and local transportation system. Now with the influx of funding available from the sale of the Sooner Sub rail line, we are excited to use this money to expedite the process of improving safety along rail systems across the state," ODOT executive director Mike Patterson said.

Related Content

  • July 22, 2020
    Wrong-way drivers? Use thermal cameras says ADoT
    Arizona pilot scheme to identify wrong-way vehicles has been a success
    Read More
  • June 5, 2018
    Russia 2018 World Cup: ITS can win it
    Teams and supporters will cover vast distances in Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Stephane Clauss from Sony Europe’s Image Sensing Solutions division examines how the latest camera technologies can be deployed to help things run smoothly over the next month or so... For one month, from June 14, Russia is hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup. This is the largest country in the world and the distances between venues will be larger than at almost any other World Cup - bar the finals in the US and Brazil.
    Read More
  • March 29, 2017
    When speed compliance becomes a safety issue
    David Crawford finds that softly, softly can be safely, safely when it comes to speed enforcement. Comedians and controversial TV presenters have long made jokes about having to watch the speedometer so closely as they pass speed camera after speed camera that they mow down bus queues. But the joke may have some factual basis according to a study by researchers from the University of Western Australia.
    Read More
  • February 5, 2013
    New research: to illuminate or not to illuminate
    Researchers from the US Lighting Research Center (LRC) and Penn State University have recently published a paper entitled “To illuminate or not to illuminate: Roadway lighting as it affects traffic safety at intersections”. Published in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention the paper describes a parallel approach to lighting safety analysis. Tackling the tricky questions of when and where to install roadway illumination, while at the same reducing municipal costs, is a challenge for transportation a
    Read More

Highlighted Content