Rail Grade Wayside Warning Systems

Status: Existing

Description

No track in California is capable of supporting high–speed trains at this time. The owner of all RR tracks is Union or Southern Pacific Railroad (UPRR or SPRR). While both passive and active warning systems are used, active warning systems dominate. some of these systems communicate with local and state jurisdictions signals to notify the public that a traffic queue has built up because of at grade crossings ahead.

Stakeholders

StakeholderRoleRole Status
Rail AgenciesOwnsExisting

Physical Objects

ITS Roadway Equipment
Wayside Equipment

Functional Objects

Functional ObjectDescriptionUser Defined
Roadway Basic Surveillance'Roadway Basic Surveillance' monitors traffic conditions using fixed equipment such as loop detectors and CCTV cameras.False
Roadway Passive Monitoring'Roadway Passive Monitoring' monitors passing vehicles for a signature that can be used to recognize the same vehicle at different points in the network and measure travel times. Depending on the implementation and the penetration rate of the technology that is monitored, other point traffic measures may also be inferred by monitoring the number of vehicles within range over time. Today this approach is implemented most commonly using a Bluetooth receiver that passively monitors Bluetooth devices on–board passing vehicles and license plate readers that record the vehicle license plate number, but any widely deployed vehicle communications technology or feature that can be passively monitored to uniquely identify a vehicle could be used.False
Roadway Signal Control'Roadway Signal Control' includes the field elements that monitor and control signalized intersections. It includes the traffic signal controllers, detectors, conflict monitors, signal heads, and other ancillary equipment that supports traffic signal control. It also includes field masters, and equipment that supports communications with a central monitoring and/or control system, as applicable. The communications link supports upload and download of signal timings and other parameters and reporting of current intersection status. It represents the field equipment used in all levels of traffic signal control from basic actuated systems that operate on fixed timing plans through adaptive systems. It also supports all signalized intersection configurations, including those that accommodate pedestrians. In advanced, future implementations, environmental data may be monitored and used to support dilemma zone processing and other aspects of signal control that are sensitive to local environmental conditions.False
Roadway Signal Preemption'Roadway Signal Preemption' includes the field elements that receive signal preemption requests from emergency vehicles approaching a signalized intersection and overrides the current operation of the traffic signals to stop conflicting traffic and grant right–of–way to the approaching vehicle.False
Roadway Standard Rail Crossing'Roadway Standard Rail Crossing' manages highway traffic at highway–rail intersections (HRIs) where operational requirements do not dictate advanced features (e.g., where rail operational speeds are less than 80 miles per hour). Either passive (e.g., the crossbuck sign) or active warning systems (e.g., flashing lights and gates) are supported depending on the specific requirements for each intersection. These traditional HRI warning systems may also be augmented with other standard traffic management devices. The warning systems are activated on notification of an approaching train by interfaced wayside equipment. The equipment at the HRI may also be interconnected with adjacent signalized intersections so that local control can be adapted to highway–rail intersection activities. Health monitoring of the HRI equipment and interfaces is performed; detected abnormalities are reported through interfaces to the wayside interface equipment and the Traffic Management Center.False
Roadway Traffic Information Dissemination'Roadway Traffic Information Dissemination' includes field elements that provide information to drivers, including dynamic message signs and highway advisory radios.False

Physical Standards

Document NumberTitleDescription
ITE ATC 5201Advanced Transportation ControllerThis standard defines the functionality and performance requirements for a modern ITS controller known as an ATC. It is similar to the NEMA TS–2 standard in that it defines basic capabilities but leaves hardware choices up to the manufacturer.
ITE ATC 5202Model 2070 Controller StandardThis standard specifies the hardware for a modern, open–architecture controller for ITS applications that can run Linux and is capable of executing advanced signal controller logic, among other things.
ITE ATC 5301Intelligent Transportation System Standard Specification for Roadside CabinetsThis standard specifies the characteristics of a modern controller cabinet for the ITS industry.
ITE ATC 5401Application Programming Interface Standard for the Advanced Transportation ControllerThis standard defines the application programmers' interface (API) that should be supported by an ATC, which is an open–architecture controller that can host multiple ITS applications.
NEMA TS 8Cyber and Physical Security for Intelligent Transportation SystemsThis specification describes how agencies and other transportation infrastructure owner/operators should implement cyber– and physical–security for ITS.
NEMA TS2Traffic Controller Assemblies with NTCIP RequirementsThis specification covers traffic signaling equipment used to facilitate and expedite the safe movement of pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
NEMA TS4Hardware Standards for Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) With NTCIP RequirementsThis standard provides hardware specifications for safe, dependable, functional, and easily maintained Dynamic Message Sign (DMS) equipment.

Interfaces To

(View Context Diagram)

Caltrans D11 Field Equipment
Caltrans Maintenance WZ Field Equipment
CHP Vehicles
Connected Vehicle Roadside Equip – Mobility
County Edge ITS Field Equipment
County ITS Field Equipment
County TMC
Cyclist
Driver
Level 1 Cities Edge ITS Field Equipment
Level 1 Cities Police Vehicles
Level 1 Cities Public Works TMC
Level 1 Cities Signals ITS Field Equipment
Level 2 Cities Edge ITS Field Equipment
Level 2 Cities Fire and Rescue Vehicles
Level 2 Cities ITS Field Equipment
Level 2 Cities Police Department Vehicles
Level 2 Cities Traffic Ops Center
Metrolink Trains
Pedestrians
Private Vehicles
San Diego Edge ITS Field Equipment
San Diego Fire and Rescue Vehicles
San Diego ITS Field Equipment
San Diego PD Vehicles
SANDAG Connected Vehicle Field Equipment
SANDAG Virtual TMCs
Tribal PD and Fire Vehicles