EVALUATION OF EXPERIMENTAL RAILROAD-HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSINGS IN LOUISIANA

This report provides a review of the performance evaluation exhibited on twenty-three (23) experimental railroad-highway grade-crossing projects in the state of Louisiana. The railroad crossings were installed during a ten-year period from June, 1970, to April, 1980, under the Federal Highway Administration "Category 2-Experimental Construction" program. Of the three major types of crossings evaluated, the performance of rubber panels (Goodyear's Super Cushion, General Tire's Gen-Trac and Structural Rubber Product's SAF & DRI) can be rated as good to excellent, while the performance of Oneida's True Temper linear polyethylene (structural foam) panels can be rated as poor or unsatisfactory. The True Temper crossings deteriorated rapidly, within two to three years after installation, requireing extensive repair and/or replacement. However, during the past two years, two True Temper, T-Core and two Cobra crossings installed in low-traffic, rural roads (ADT 570) have to date performed exceptionally well, without any sign of deterioration. The precast concrete slab crossing, FAB-RA-CAST, which was installed in 1974 began to fail within six months after installation and had to be removed and replaced in 1977, as per request of its manufacturer. In 1979, the crossing experienced complete failure, again, and had to be replaced with a temporary timber-asphalt crossing. (Author)

• Record URL:
  http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/pdf/2008/Report%20140.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

  1201 Capitol Access Road, P.O. Box 94245
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70804-9245
• Authors:
  • Bolourchi, Z
  • Pittman, A E
  • Mascaro, D P
• Publication Date: 1980-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 94 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Durability; Ethylene resins; Foams; Pallets; Precast concrete; Railroad grade crossings; Rubber; Slabs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Polyethylene
• Subject Areas: Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Pavements; Railroads; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces; I35: Miscellaneous Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00322683
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: LA 140 Intrm Rpt.
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 15 1981 12:00AM