References are provided below for rules and regulations that apply to rail crossing projects in State of California.  These include Commission General Orders, Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure, State of California Public Utilities Code, and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

For additional information not specific to rail crossings, please refer to the Commission's Code, Laws & Rules page.

General Orders

The following Commission General Orders (GO) discuss rail crossings:

  • GO 26-D: Clearances on railroads and street railroads as to side and overhead structures, parallel tracks and crossings.
  • GO 72-B: Construction and Maintenance - Standard types of pavement construction at railroad grade crossings.
  • GO 75-D: Warning Devices for at-grade railroad crossings.
  • GO 88-B: Alterations of railroad crossings.
  • GO 143-B: Design, construction and operation of light rail transit systems.
  • GO 145: Railroad crossings to be classified exempt from the mandatory stop requirements of Section 22452 of the Vehicle Code.
  • GO 164-E: Rules and Regulations Governing State Safety Oversight of Rail Fixed Guideway Systems.

Rules of Practice and Procedure

The following sections of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure discuss rail crossings:

  • Rule 3.7 Public Road Across Railroad.
  • Rule 3.8 Alter or Relocate Existing Railroad Crossing.
  • Rule 3.9 Railroad across Public Road.
  • Rule 3.10 Railroad across Railroad.
  • Rule 3.11 Light-Rail Transit System Crossings.

Public Utilities Code

The following State of California Public Utilities (PU) Code sections discuss rail crossings:

  • PU Code Sections 1201-1205: Public railroad crossings
  • PU Code Sections 7537: Private railroad crossings
  • PU Code Section 99152: Transit

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 

California MUTCD provides uniform standards and specifications for all official traffic control devices in California.  It is published by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).  It is an amended version of the national MUTCD published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

2014 California MUTCD Part 8 is specific to Traffic Control for Rail and Light Rail Transit Crossings.

Other areas of the manual are available on the Caltrans website.











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