Section 2: Project Selection
Anchor: #i1000072Introduction
The Traffic Operations Division (TRF) selects projects for the Replanking Program on a statewide basis. Generally, each district is guaranteed funding for its two highest priority ranked projects. The other eligible projects are included in the program according to their priority rankings. The priority ranking is based on the project’s estimated cost-per-vehicle.
Anchor: #i1000082Project Submission
Each year TRF sends Railroad Grade Crossing Replanking Project Submission Forms (TxDOT Form 1876) to the districts.
The district completes one form for each crossing submitted, ranking them according to district priority. Crossings in the worst condition should be assigned highest priority rankings. TRF strives (within funding limitations) to include each district’s top two priority ranked submissions in the current year’s program.
After receiving all project submissions from every district, TRF ranks the projects in order of estimated cost per vehicle.
Form Available. A sample of the Railroad Grade Crossing Replanking Project Submission Form is provided in Appendix A of the hard copy print version of this volume. This sample form may be photocopied as necessary. Copies may also be obtained from TRF. In the on-line version of this volume, an MS Word version of this form may be opened and printed out by clicking on the following file name: 1876.
Anchor: #i1000109Figuring Estimated Cost per Vehicle
The estimated cost per vehicle for a project is derived from the total estimated cost of the project. The total estimated cost of the project is obtained by multiplying the estimated cost of materials, labor, and other associated expenses per track foot times the width of the crossing. For the purposes of this calculation, “the width of the crossing” is the length of the track traversing the roadway plus 0.914 m (3 feet) beyond edge of the pavement or curb line on either side. The estimated cost per vehicle is the total estimated cost of the project divided by the average daily traffic (ADT) at the crossing.
If there are multiple tracks at the crossing, the total combined width across the roadway of both tracks is used to determine the total estimated cost of the project.
The formulas are:
EXAMPLE: Concrete replanking is proposed at a crossing with two tracks across the roadway. Each track is 40 feet long. The ADT is 1300 vehicles per day (VPD). The current cost of concrete replanking is $457 per track foot.
Project Selection
TRF pulls out each district’s first and second priority ranked projects and calculates a total estimated cost for all the districts’ top two priority submissions. This establishes a program subtotal. All of the other project submissions are then sorted in order of cost per vehicle These projects are added to the statewide priority list, beginning with those having the lowest cost per vehicle, until the program funding amount is expended. TRF then furnishes a list of the selected projects to each district and railroad company.
Anchor: #i1000146Project Cancellation
If projects are canceled for any reason (RR abandoned tracks, RR already replanked crossing, crossing is a spur track, etc.) the district from which the project was canceled can recommend another project (of equal or lesser value). This replacement project is then chosen from the submitted projects that did not previously make the program within that district. If the district in question cannot replace the canceled project, then the funds for the canceled project are used on the next highest rated project statewide that did not originally make the program.