Notice2023-21289
Safety Advisory 2023-05; King Pin Assemblies in Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Warning Systems
Primary source
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Published
September 29, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration
Abstract
FRA is issuing Safety Advisory 2023-05 to heighten awareness within the railroad industry of the potential failure of king pin assemblies in highway-rail grade crossing warning systems equipped with breakaway gates. This Safety Advisory recommends that railroads inspect and replace all worn components in king pin assemblies. This Safety Advisory also recommends that railroads develop inspection and maintenance programs for king pin assemblies.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 188 (Friday, September 29, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 188 (Friday, September 29, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67430-67433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21289]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Safety Advisory 2023-05; King Pin Assemblies in Highway-Rail
Grade Crossing Warning Systems
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of safety advisory.
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SUMMARY: FRA is issuing Safety Advisory 2023-05 to heighten awareness
within the railroad industry of the potential failure of king pin
assemblies in highway-rail grade crossing warning systems equipped with
breakaway gates. This Safety Advisory recommends that railroads inspect
and replace all worn components in king pin assemblies. This Safety
Advisory also recommends that railroads develop inspection and
[[Page 67431]]
maintenance programs for king pin assemblies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabe Neal, Staff Director, Signal,
Train Control and Crossings Division, Office of Railroad Safety, FRA,
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590, (816)-516-7168,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#482f292a2d66262d2924082c273c662f273e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2a4d4b484f04444f4b466a4e455e044d455c">[email protected]</span></a>.
Disclaimer: This Safety Advisory is considered guidance pursuant to
DOT Order 2100.6A (June 7, 2021). Except when referencing laws,
regulations, policies, or orders, the information in this Safety
Advisory does not have the force and effect of law and is not binding
in any way. This document does not review or replace any previously
issued guidance.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
King pin assemblies were introduced in the early 1990s as the rail
industry transitioned from wooden crossing gate arms to aluminum and/or
fiberglass crossing gate arms. Inspection and maintenance programs for
king pin assemblies have not, however, been widely adopted and
implemented within the railroad industry, even though some king pin
assemblies have been in service since their original installation. King
pin assemblies cannot be inspected without removing the crossing gate
arm. In addition, the recommended maintenance of king pin assemblies is
not usually conveyed by manufacturers in published guidance.
For highway-rail grade crossing warning systems equipped with king
pin assemblies, the crossing gate slides onto the king pin at a 90-
degree angle when the crossing gate is installed. The crossing gate is
then pushed all the way up on the king pin and rotated into place.
Shear bolts are installed to keep the crossing gate in position. When
properly installed, the bulk of the crossing gate's weight rests
permanently on the king pin and post pin tabs.
However, the king pin assembly can be damaged under normal
operating conditions by vehicle strikes, high winds, rust, worn gate
boot(s), and corrosion. If the highway-rail grade crossing gate is
being held in place by a worn or damaged king pin assembly, the
crossing gate may drop off the king pin and post pin tabs. When this
occurs, the crossing gate may be held in place by only the shear bolts,
which are not designed to hold the weight of the crossing gate.
Therefore, if relied upon to hold the crossing gate in place, the shear
bolts could stretch and break unexpectedly, allowing the crossing gate
to fall. This could happen very quickly, potentially causing injury to
railroad employees or members of the general public in close proximity
to the crossing gate.
Illustrations of Defects
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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BILLING CODE 4910-06-C
Recommended Actions
To ensure the safety of the Nation's railroads, their employees,
and the general public, FRA recommends that railroads take the
following actions:
(1) Inspect king pin assemblies in highway-rail grade crossing
warning systems and replace all worn components.
(2) Develop inspection and maintenance programs for king pin
assemblies that incorporate maintenance procedures recommended by the
manufacturer (if applicable), including lubrication of king pin
assemblies to reduce wear and tear on the components. These inspection
and maintenance programs should include periodic inspections of the
king pin assembly with the crossing gate removed, as well as inspection
of the king pin assembly each time the crossing gate is re-hung or
replaced. These inspection and maintenance programs should also address
the replacement of worn components and give special consideration to
highway-rail grade crossing warning systems that are exposed to high
levels of salt, which can cause corrosion.
(3) Issue instructions requiring employees to stay clear of
descending crossing gates until fully lowered and to discuss potential
failure of the king pin assembly in job safety briefings, when
applicable. Railroads should also issue instructions requiring
employees to warn others to stay clear of descending crossing gates
until fully lowered.
Issued in Washington, DC.
Amitabha Bose,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2023-21289 Filed 9-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.