[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 188 (Friday, September 29, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67430-67433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[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

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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, 
[email protected].
    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

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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]
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