Orami01/Test3 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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Complete Header, plus Part I of the Inventory Form (with the exception of
I.20) and the Submission Information section.
Q 9. Where do I send hardcopies of completed Inventory Forms?
Please see FRA’s webpage for correct mailing address for hard copy Crossing
Inventory Submissions.
Q 10. If I only need to submit a few Inventory Forms, can I scan them
electronically and then submit them to the Crossing Inventory?
Scanning a document for transmittal to the Crossing Inventory is considered a
paper submission. This type of transmission does NOT constitute an electronic
submission; therefore, Class I railroads may not use this form of submission.
Non-Class I railroads may transmit scanned documents to:
[email protected]. This address goes to FRA’s data processing contractor
who will process the submittals in accordance with their workload.
Q 11. Can I update crossing records online?
Appendix E-4
Yes, FRA will provide a new secure web page to allow users to find and update
data for highway-rail and pathway crossings that have already been entered into
the Crossing Inventory.
Q 12. Will use of the GX32 software count as an electronic submission?
No, the GX32 software will be replaced with a secure web-based application that
will provide the state/railroad user with similar functionality. This will allow the
crossing data to be current and updates will be made instantaneously (with
business rules in place to ensure that only allowable data elements can be
changed). The new system will allow for more accurate record keeping and
timely submissions. Use of this new web-based application will constitute
electronic submission.
Q 13. What if there is no change in the data that currently exists in the Crossing
Inventory?
Even if the railroad has verified that there is no change in the existing data in the
Crossing Inventory, the railroad must submit an update to the Crossing Inventory,
electronically or by using Form FRA F 6180.71 at least once every 3 years. In
this instance, the Header on the Inventory Form will need to be completed. With
respect to item C, “Reason for Update”, in the Header, the box for “Date Change
Only” should be checked, in order to signify that the current data in the Crossing
Inventory is correct.
Q 14. Do we have to update crossings that have been closed or are gradeseparated?
A crossing that has been reported to the Crossing Inventory as closed does not
require further updating unless it is reopened. A grade-separated crossing that
has been reported to the Crossing Inventory does not require further updating
unless it is physically removed in which case it should be reported as closed.
Q 15. Do we have to use the paper Form FRA F 6180.71 for updating?
No, Class I railroads must submit updates to the Crossing Inventory
electronically. All other railroads, urban rapid transit operators and the States are
encouraged to submit updates to the Crossing Inventory electronically, but may
submit hard copy updates.
Q 16. How long will it take for Inventory updates to appear on FRA’s Web site?
Electronic submissions will be updated to the inventory immediately following a
successful submission (i.e., all required data is provided and passes all validation
rules). It generally takes between 1 to 3 months before updates will appear on
Appendix E-5
the Web site for hardcopy submissions. This is an estimate as the timeline is
dependent upon the number of hardcopy submissions received and the amount
of time to conduct manual data entry.
Q 17. What is the best way to get started updating records for a State or Railroad
that has thousands of crossings?
For States and Railroads with a large number of crossings, the best way to get
started updating the Crossing Inventory is to first determine which crossings have
been entered into the Crossing Inventory. This can be accomplished by
verification of the Inventory number in both the Crossing Inventory and the
respective State or Railroad File. Compare only the Inventory Numbers, and then
resolve the status of those that don’t match (Open or Closed, or non-existent in
either file). Next, carry the comparison further by verifying Public versus Private
crossing type, and then State or Operating Railroad. Once there is agreement
with regards to the existing number of crossings, Open or Closed status, Public
or Private crossing type, and in which State or on which Operating Railroad, then
the balance of the information can be checked, verified, and updated.

Q 18. How do I get the most current Crossing Inventory data for our State or
Railroad?
The most current Crossing Inventory data is available for download from FRA’s
Safetydata Web site.
Q 19. We are planning to develop our own database software for our own
crossing inventory file. Are there consultants that have done this before
that we can contact, and is there anything specific that we should know or
do before we get started?
There are several States and Railroads who have hired consulting firms to
develop electronic databases for their crossing inventory records and for
managing their crossing improvement program and contracts. You will need to
contact the individual States or Railroads to determine which firms have
performed in a satisfactory manner. However, if you decide to contract with a firm
directly, you should instruct them to develop their data file structure to be
compatible with the FRA data file so that data can be directly transferred to FRA
without conversion. The consultant should use the Electronic Submission
Instructions when developing the software. The Electronic Submission
Instructions can be found on the Grade Crossing Inventory System (GCIS)
secure site.
Q 20. Where can I find information regarding the Format and Description of the
Crossing Inventory Data Fields for electronic submissions?
Appendix E-6
Information regarding the Format and Description of the Crossing Inventory data
fields can be found in the Electronic Submission Instructions. The Electronic
Submission Instructions can be found on the GCIS secure site.
Q 21. How do I get crossing inventory data and information for my locale?
Crossing records can be accessed from FRA’s Safetydata Web site.
Q 22. Who is responsible for reporting a closed crossing in the Inventory and
how is it done?
The primary operating railroad must report the closure of a highway-rail or
pathway crossing to the Crossing Inventory, but the State may also report the
closure of a public crossing.
Reporting a closed a crossing in the Crossing Inventory is a very simple process.

Complete Header, plus Part I of the Inventory Form (with the exception of

I.20) and the Submission Information section.

Q 9. Where do I send hardcopies of completed Inventory Forms?

Please see FRA’s webpage for correct mailing address for hard copy Crossing

Inventory Submissions.

Q 10. If I only need to submit a few Inventory Forms, can I scan them

electronically and then submit them to the Crossing Inventory?

Scanning a document for transmittal to the Crossing Inventory is considered a

paper submission. This type of transmission does NOT constitute an electronic

submission; therefore, Class I railroads may not use this form of submission.

Non-Class I railroads may transmit scanned documents to:

[email protected]. This address goes to FRA’s data processing contractor

who will process the submittals in accordance with their workload.

Q 11. Can I update crossing records online?

Appendix E-4

Yes, FRA will provide a new secure web page to allow users to find and update

data for highway-rail and pathway crossings that have already been entered into

the Crossing Inventory.

Q 12. Will use of the GX32 software count as an electronic submission?

No, the GX32 software will be replaced with a secure web-based application that

will provide the state/railroad user with similar functionality. This will allow the

crossing data to be current and updates will be made instantaneously (with

business rules in place to ensure that only allowable data elements can be

changed). The new system will allow for more accurate record keeping and

timely submissions. Use of this new web-based application will constitute

electronic submission.

Q 13. What if there is no change in the data that currently exists in the Crossing

Inventory?

Even if the railroad has verified that there is no change in the existing data in the

Crossing Inventory, the railroad must submit an update to the Crossing Inventory,

electronically or by using Form FRA F 6180.71 at least once every 3 years. In

this instance, the Header on the Inventory Form will need to be completed. With

respect to item C, “Reason for Update”, in the Header, the box for “Date Change

Only” should be checked, in order to signify that the current data in the Crossing

Inventory is correct.

Q 14. Do we have to update crossings that have been closed or are gradeseparated?

A crossing that has been reported to the Crossing Inventory as closed does not

require further updating unless it is reopened. A grade-separated crossing that

has been reported to the Crossing Inventory does not require further updating

unless it is physically removed in which case it should be reported as closed.

Q 15. Do we have to use the paper Form FRA F 6180.71 for updating?

No, Class I railroads must submit updates to the Crossing Inventory

electronically. All other railroads, urban rapid transit operators and the States are

encouraged to submit updates to the Crossing Inventory electronically, but may

submit hard copy updates.

Q 16. How long will it take for Inventory updates to appear on FRA’s Web site?

Electronic submissions will be updated to the inventory immediately following a

successful submission (i.e., all required data is provided and passes all validation

rules). It generally takes between 1 to 3 months before updates will appear on

Appendix E-5

the Web site for hardcopy submissions. This is an estimate as the timeline is

dependent upon the number of hardcopy submissions received and the amount

of time to conduct manual data entry.

Q 17. What is the best way to get started updating records for a State or Railroad

that has thousands of crossings?

For States and Railroads with a large number of crossings, the best way to get

started updating the Crossing Inventory is to first determine which crossings have

been entered into the Crossing Inventory. This can be accomplished by

verification of the Inventory number in both the Crossing Inventory and the

respective State or Railroad File. Compare only the Inventory Numbers, and then

resolve the status of those that don’t match (Open or Closed, or non-existent in

either file). Next, carry the comparison further by verifying Public versus Private

crossing type, and then State or Operating Railroad. Once there is agreement

with regards to the existing number of crossings, Open or Closed status, Public

or Private crossing type, and in which State or on which Operating Railroad, then

the balance of the information can be checked, verified, and updated.

Q 18. How do I get the most current Crossing Inventory data for our State or

Railroad?

The most current Crossing Inventory data is available for download from FRA’s

Safetydata Web site.

Q 19. We are planning to develop our own database software for our own

crossing inventory file. Are there consultants that have done this before

that we can contact, and is there anything specific that we should know or

do before we get started?

There are several States and Railroads who have hired consulting firms to

develop electronic databases for their crossing inventory records and for

managing their crossing improvement program and contracts. You will need to

contact the individual States or Railroads to determine which firms have

performed in a satisfactory manner. However, if you decide to contract with a firm

directly, you should instruct them to develop their data file structure to be

compatible with the FRA data file so that data can be directly transferred to FRA

without conversion. The consultant should use the Electronic Submission

Instructions when developing the software. The Electronic Submission

Instructions can be found on the Grade Crossing Inventory System (GCIS)

secure site.

Q 20. Where can I find information regarding the Format and Description of the

Crossing Inventory Data Fields for electronic submissions?

Appendix E-6

Information regarding the Format and Description of the Crossing Inventory data

fields can be found in the Electronic Submission Instructions. The Electronic

Submission Instructions can be found on the GCIS secure site.

Q 21. How do I get crossing inventory data and information for my locale?

Crossing records can be accessed from FRA’s Safetydata Web site.

Q 22. Who is responsible for reporting a closed crossing in the Inventory and

how is it done?

The primary operating railroad must report the closure of a highway-rail or

pathway crossing to the Crossing Inventory, but the State may also report the

closure of a public crossing.

Reporting a closed a crossing in the Crossing Inventory is a very simple process.