In order to properly identify potential transit safety concerns, MnDOT maintains an electronic database of 4,500 highway railroad grade crossings. This database is used for various analyses of safe crossings, sight distances, etc. For this database to be effective, it is essential that the information about each crossing is kept current. RANI engineering teamed with HDR Engineering to update nearly 1,000 crossing inventories throughout the state of Minnesota, nearly doubling the amount of crossing inventories expected by MnDOT while staying within the original project budget.

Rani Engineering provided updates to the MnDOT railroad crossing database in conjunction with HDR Engineering, Inc.

Professional services included:

• Planning and mapping efficient inspection routes
• Visiting crossings and updating inventory by redlining existing inventory forms
• Taking ten high-quality digital photographs of each crossing in accordance with field manual
• Scanning red-lined inventory forms, downloading photos, and preparing CDs for submittal to MnDOT
• Preparing monthly summary reports for the duration of the project
• Close coordination with HDR and Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations staff to ensure that State’s expectations were met