As part of CN's commitment to crossing safety, all CN public crossings have identification stickers or signs on the back of the crossing sign (crossbucks), the sign post or on the signal bungalow showing the location of the crossing (CN subdivision and mileage or U.S. DOT number). This location information should be quoted to ensure proper identification of the crossing. In addition, dates and times should be indicated where specific incidents are referred to.

Shared responsibility

Crossing safety is a shared responsibility between the railway and road authority. It is important that both parties be equally responsible for identifying and progressing safety concerns and for actively participating in site meetings at which the safety of the crossing and alternative solutions are discussed.

Site meetings

When safety concerns are raised with respect to a crossing, it is important that representatives from the railway and the road authority meet at the site to review the situation and discuss means of improving the safety of the crossing. This assessment must not be done by only one party in isolation.

At the site meeting, all aspects of the safety of the crossing are discussed. For this reason, it is important that the road authority's representative come prepared with information on key operational and design aspects of the crossing. Similar pre-meeting homework is also done by the railway representative. Having all of this information at the site meeting ensures a proper safety evaluation. It also saves valuable time and ensures an accurate estimate should a signal solution be recommended. A list of required information is available from CN and is provided at the time of the site meeting invitation.

All possible solutions should be discussed at the site meeting. Although the addition of a crossing warning system consisting of flashing lights, bells and perhaps even gates is the solution that often first comes to mind, such installations are expensive. Therefore, it is important that alternative solutions such as stop signs, advance warning signage, approach gradient reductions and sightline improvements be investigated. Opportunities to close unsafe crossings through consolidation with other crossings should also be seriously looked into.

The parties present at the site meeting should come to a mutual agreement as to the need for safety improvements at the crossing and the proposed solution. Depending on the crossing and the nature of the proposed safety improvement, in Canada the parties may be able to apply for federal funding to offset a portion of the cost of the project.

Financial assistance (Canada)

Safety improvements at public crossings that have been in place for more than three years may be eligible for funding by Transport Canada. The program, authorized under Section 12 of the Railway Safety Act, allows for up to 80% of the cost of the safety improvement to be funded by the federal government.

The remaining portion of the cost of the safety improvement has traditionally been apportioned as follows: 12.5% to the road authority and 7.5% to the railway.

Eligible improvements include projects such as installations or modifications to railway crossing warning systems, approach gradient improvements, crossing angle improvements, and crossing consolidations.

Further information on the Transport Canada Funding program can be found in the brochure "Crossing Safety - Financial Assistance" available from your Regional Transport Canada office.