This report provides a framework for making decisions regarding alternatives for improving deteriorated bridges separating highways and railroads. Changes in highway traffic patterns, changes in rail traffic volumes, and changes in design standards all combine with resource constraints to raise legitimate questions about the best alternative to implement: (1) replace the structure, (2) rehabilitate the structure, (3) relocate the structure, (4) construct an at-grade crossing in place of the structure, (5) close the road, or (6) close the rail line. The report describes current practice regarding the decision-making process used by state governments and railroads, based on a literature review and telephone and mail surveys of state government and railroad officials. The decision-making framework developed during this research provides a set of procedures for the systematic evaluation of alternatives. The framework has the following characteristics: (1) It provides for identification and evaluation of all legitimate alternatives. (2) It incorporates consideration of all factors relevant to the alternative analysis. (3) It defines ways to assess quantitative and qualitative variables. (4) It provides techniques for examing differences between alternatives to facilitate decision making.
Abstract