Section 4: Terminology
Anchor: #i999926Types of Railroad Tracks
Like highways, railroad track is categorized according to function. These categories include the following:
main tracks — Tracks that handle through train movements between and through stations and terminals, as opposed to switching or terminal movements. (This definition applies for the purposes of highway-rail safety programs.)
NOTE: The majority of highway-rail intersection collisions occur at main track crossings. This can be attributed to the fact that there are more main track intersections with highways than there are side track (or switching track) intersections. Also, main tracks typically experience higher train volumes and train speeds.of rail cars.
branch line — A railroad line that typically carries freight from its origin to a main line.
passing track (or siding) — A track used for meeting and passing trains.
side track, switching track, and industrial track — Track used for the loading, unloading, and storage of rail cars
Anchor: #i999957Track Gauge
Railroad track gauge (the distance between the two rails) has been standardized in the United States since the late 1800s. The U.S. standard track gauge is four feet, eight and one-half inches (4' 8½").
Anchor: #i999967Sight Distance
The number of tracks and the length of the roadway between multiple sets of tracks are important considerations in determining sight distance requirements for highway-rail intersections.
Anchor: #i999977Joint Use
When TxDOT obtains a “license to cross” railroad right-of-way with its highway facilities, a “joint use” highway-rail intersection is created.
Anchor: #i999987Preemption
“Preemption” refers to the interconnection of railroad signal devices with traffic signals at adjacent highway-highway intersections. When an approaching train activates the railroad signal devices, a relay in the railroad signal cabinet preempts the normal traffic signal phasing with special phasing sequence.