DIAGNOSTIC TEAM DOT NO.

501939D
CROSSING EVALUATION REPORT REVIEW DATE 5/5/2017

RAILROAD: STATE: COUNTY: CITY:

Amtrak MA Hampden Longmeadow
RR DIVISION: STREET NAME:
Northeastern Birnie Road
NEAREST RR TIMETABLE STATION: RR MILEPOST: BRANCH NAME:
Springfield 57.21 Springfield
TEAM: AFFILIATION: TEAM: AFFILIATION:
1. Guy Bresnahan MassDOT 9. Town DPW Director
2. Lou Frangella FRA 10. US Fish & Wildlife
3. Jim Sottile DPU 11. Amtrak Attorney
4. John Weston HMMH 12. Amtrak Foreman ***See note blow.
5. Mark O'Hara Consultant
6. Maeve Ragusin HDR
7. Town Manager
8. Town Police
RAILROAD DATA
Amtrak Main. 2 If other, specific:
Daily Train Movement 12 12
Moves Other.. 0
Day Thru 11 Speed Can 2 trains occupy crossing at once? Yes
Night Thru 1 Max: 79 Can one train block the motorist's view of another train at the
xing?
Day Switch 0 Typical: 75
Night Switch 0 to 79 Yes

ROADWAY DATA

CROSSING ANGLE ADT % TRUCKS ROADWAY SURFACE & WIDTH

60-90 300 6 Asphalt, 16-20'
VEHICLE SPEED SCHOOL BUS? HAZMAT? PEDESTRIANS?
20 N N Y
SHOULDER? WIDTH? Is shoulder surfaced? Curb and gutter? (Y/N)
N 16' (West), 20' East N
Special Conditions:

No commercial power available at crossing.

Crossing is surrounded by wetlands.
Crossing is one of three locations for pedestrian access to the Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge.

***Amtrak Division Engineer (G. Fitter) was provided notice of the diagnostic review but did not attend.

Amtrak foreman arrived approx. 90 min late and provided the safety briefing after the diagnostic review was
completed. Diagnostic review was completed exclusively from public roadway.
 DOT NO. 501939D
REVIEW DATE 5/5/2017

EXISTING WARNING DEVICES

LENSES WARNING DEVICE
YES NO QTY TYPE YES NO QTY
8" 12" Signage & pavement markings
Y 1 ADV. WARNING SIGNS N MOUNTED FLASHING LIGHTS
Y 1 STOP SIGNS Y 1 N
N STOP AHEAD SIGNS N CANTILEVER
Y 1 PAVEMENT MARKINGS Y 1 N
Y 1 CROSSBUCKS Y 1 SIDE LIGHTS
N NUMBER OF TRACK SIGNS N N
N INVENTORY TAGS N AUTO. GATES LENGTH
N INTERCONNECTED HWY Wigwags N N
TRAFFIC SIGNS Bells N
ACCIDENT DATA (5 YEAR) Sidewalk Gate Arms N Length
TOTAL # PROPERTY DAMAGE: "No Turn" Signs N
1 PERSONAL INJURY: Illumination N
FATAL ACCIDENTS: 1 Other
TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT
Y Open Space New developments to potentially affect ADT? Explain?
Residential A US Fish and Wildlife grant has recently been approved to develop a parking
Commercial area on the west side of the grade crossing along with associated roadway
Industrial improvements. Improvement concepts to be passed on to MassDOT to be
compiled with the other crossing information.
Institutional

SKETCH
 DOT NO. 501939D
REVIEW DATE 5/5/2017

RECOMMENDATIONS
ARE IMPROVEMENTS RECOMMENDED?
IF NO, EXPLAIN:
Yes

IF YES, WHAT IMPROVEMENTS: DESCRIBE

Install commercial power at crossing.

Install gates and flashers at both approaches and required signal bungalow. (The
Active Warning
northeast quadrant is highlighted for potential bungalow location, and would likely
require micropile foundation to minimize wetland impacts.)

Install retro reflectorized W-10s at both approaches.

Tree trimming is likely required at all quadrants. Sightlines are limited to approx.
Advance Warning 55' from tracks at the east approach, and 35' from tracks at the west approach due
to brush line.
Low clearance signs may be necessary.

Surface Replace panel through crossing.

Consider impacts of improvements and safety at other nearby pedestrian

Other
crossings (Bark Haul Road, Meadow Road).