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General Criteria for Crossing Exempt Status

In Washington, the commission does not have jurisdiction to exempt railroad crossings within first-class cities. First-class cities have independent authority to authorize the installation of exempt signs. The UTC only has regulatory authority to exempt crossings on industrial or spur lines. 

A railroad grade crossing should generally meet the following criteria to be considered for “Exempt” status:

Industrial or Spur Crossings with Automatic Gates

  • Number of tracks – Maximum of two tracks.
  • Sight distance – There shall be a clear and unobstructed view of the grade crossing from any point on the highway for a distance equal to the minimum stopping sight distance for the posted vehicle speed limit and train speed.
  • Train speed – The maximum allowable train speed at the grade crossing shall not exceed 20 miles per hour.
  • Vehicle speed – The maximum allowable vehicle speed at the grade crossing shall not exceed 35 miles per hour.
  • Accident history – The grade crossing shall not have had more than two vehicle-train accidents in the last five years.  If the automatic gates have not been in service for five years, only that period covered by the automatic gates shall be applicable.
  • Warning devices – The railroad crossing warning devices should be properly installed and maintained in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requirements and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Industrial or Spur Crossing without Gates

  • Number of tracks – Maximum of two tracks.
  • Train traffic – Train traffic at the grade crossing shall not be greater than an annual average of three trains per day.
  • Train speed – The maximum allowable train speed at the grade crossing shall not exceed 20 miles per hour.
  • Vehicle speed - The maximum allowable vehicle speed at the grade crossing shall not exceed 35 miles per hour.
  • Warning devices – The railroad crossing warning devices should be properly installed and maintained in accordance with FRA requirements and the MUTCD.
  • Crossing angle – The horizontal angle between the tracks and the highway shall not be less than 60 degrees.
  • Sight distance – There shall be a clear and unobstructed view of the grade crossing from any point on the highway for a distance equal to the minimum stopping sight distance for the posted vehicle speed limit and train speed.
  • Accident history – The grade crossing shall not have had more than two vehicle-train accidents in the last five years.  If the automatic gates have not been in service for five years, only that period covered by the automatic gates shall be applicable.