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America's First 'Smart' Highway-Rail Crossing is Dedicated

27 August 1998

America's First "Smart" Highway-Rail
Crossing is Dedicated in Groton, Connecticut

        Federal Railroad Administrator Jolene M. Molitoris today
participated in the dedication of a new advanced technology gate system
at the School Street Crossing in Groton, Connecticut. The demonstration
project represents a step forward in the FRA's commitment to reducing
highway-rail crossing collisions and developing high-speed passenger rail
service.

        "This crossing demonstration will provide the FRA and others an
excellent opportunity to test and study how state-of-the-art technology
will enable the high-speed trains of the 21st  Century to operate
efficiently and safely," said Administrator Molitoris.

        The demonstration project features a "four quadrant" gate system
and an in-cab/at-grade crossing advance warning system which alerts
locomotive engineers to slow down, or stop if there is a disabled vehicle
or other obstruction on the track.

        This grade crossing safety demonstration is an important
component of Amtrak's plans to inaugurate high-speed service in
Southeastern Connecticut on the Northeast Corridor (NEC).  If the
demonstration is successful, the technology may be deployed elsewhere in
the United States in preparation for high-speed rail service in other
designated corridors.

        Funding for the demonstration originated under Section 1036 of
the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), and funds
for improvements will be available under the Transportation Equity Act
for the 21st Century (TEA-21).   The FRA contributed $800,000 or 80
percent of the cost of the gate installation.  The state of Connecticut
through the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) provided
the remaining $200,000.

        Decreasing the risk of highway-rail crossing collisions is a key
element of the high-speed rail corridor plan.  In keeping with the
Department of Transportation's goal of zero tolerance for accidents,
injuries or fatalities, the FRA is working with railroads, and state and
local governments to eliminate crossings where possible and demonstrate
cost-effective and practical technologies to reduce the number of
highway-rail crossing casualties nationwide.

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                http://www.dot.gov/briefing.htm