Webinar Summary

Traffic signals that are interconnected with railroad signal systems require careful design, coordination, and ongoing maintenance to ensure safe and reliable operation for both roadway users and rail traffic. This webinar will provide an overview of railroad (RR) interconnections and highlight the critical role that proper traffic signal maintenance plays at these locations.

Participants will explore real-world case studies and learn design best practices for implementing and maintaining these complex systems. The session will also cover key operational considerations, including recommended monthly maintenance activities, annual joint testing with railroads, and the impacts of traffic signal timing, controller, and software changes on railroad interconnections. Attendees will gain practical insights to help ensure continued safety, compliance, and effective coordination between roadway and rail signal systems.

Registration Includes

• Live webinar access
• 30-day on-demand recording PDH/CM credit available for an additional fee.

Instructions provided on the corresponding pages for this webinar on the ITE Learning Hub.

This webinar is led by the ITE Railroad Grade Crossing Committee.

Webinar Overview

Traffic signals that are interconnected with railroad signal systems require careful design, coordination, and ongoing maintenance to ensure safe and reliable operation for both roadway users and rail traffic. This webinar will provide an overview of railroad (RR) interconnections and highlight the critical role that proper traffic signal maintenance plays at these locations.

Participants will explore real-world case studies and learn design best practices for implementing and maintaining these complex systems. The session will also cover key operational considerations, including recommended monthly maintenance activities, annual joint testing with railroads, and the impacts of traffic signal timing, controller, and software changes on railroad interconnections. Attendees will gain practical insights to help ensure continued safety, compliance, and effective coordination between roadway and rail signal systems.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Interpret the critical nature of maintaining and testing an interconnected traffic signal as part of a larger system.
• Define when proposed modifications to traffic signal systems need to be coordinated with railroads and why.
• Describe what elements need to be included in design plans to insure a healthy combined system for years to come.

Moderator

Scott Arnold, PE, Vice President | Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. | Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Presenter

Karen Hankinson, PE, Senior Team Leader / Rail | Olsson | Irvine, California, USA

Karen Hankinson, PE, TE, is a registered civil engineer in 29 states nationwide and a registered traffic engineer in California. She is Vice President and Senior Team Leader for Olsson’s Rail Traffic, Rail Signal and Public Project Groups with a technical focus on the design and review of grade crossings for the last 20 years. Karen currently serves as an AREMA Committee 36 member, a National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) Rail/Light Rail Committee Member, and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Grade Crossing Committee Past Chair as well as leading a National Best Practices Group on Interconnected Crossings.

Registration Fees

ITE Members: Free

Non-Members: $79

Registration includes access to the live webinar and the on-demand recording for 30 days.

Non-members must create an ITE account to register.

Log-On Instructions

On the day of the webinar, login to your ITE Learning Hub account, navigate to your Learning Center, then find the webinar and click 'Attend.'

PDH / CM Credit Certificate

Participants may earn 1.0 PDH/CM credit for this webinar for a $20 processing fee, regardless of membership status.

Instructions and the purchase link will be provided at the conclusion of the live event

For the on-demand recording, instructions will be provided at the end of the recording

PDH Credit Certificates may be purchased and downloaded while access to the recording is active

Once on-demand webinar access expires, the certificate opportunity is forfeited

Recording Access

All registrants will receive access to the recording for 30 days after it is posted

Additional attendees viewing a recording at one location are not eligible to earn PDH credit

Additional Attendees (Live Viewing Only)

Additional attendees watching the live webinar at one location may earn credit.
The primary registrant must share the PDH evaluation purchase link with additional attendees so they can purchase their own certificate in their own ITE account.

Presentation Materials

Presenters typically provide PDF copies of their slides. If available, materials will be uploaded to the Resources tab within 24 hours after the live event.

Policies

The on-demand webinar is available for registration for 60 days for anyone who wishes to register. After 60 days, this on-demand webinar will be removed and archived.

PDH credit certificates must be purchased and retrieved before individual webinar access expires

No refunds

Last Day to Register On-Demand: We will post that date here after the live webinar concludes.

• Training Hours: 1.00