Article

Cost Analysis of Railroad Grade Crossing Projects Performed by Railroad Organizations in New York State

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Abstract

Total project cost is usually finalized at the completion of the project. This cost often includes overruns that are approved and in most cases peculiar to the project. This study analyzed the total costs of public railroad crossing projects that were federally aided and performed by different type/class of railroad organizations in New York State, including passenger and freight railroad organizations. Cost data on 256 public highway rail intersection (HRI) projects performed between 2002 and 2012 were gathered and analyzed while the posited hypothesis was tested with non-parametric test using SPSS Statistical package, version 20. The Kruskall Wallis test was used to determine the statistically significant difference between the total cost of projects performed by Passenger, Class 1 (Large), Class 2 (Regional) and Class 3 (Short-Line railroads) railroad companies operating in New York State. Post-hoc test depicts the significant differences between the railroad organizations concerning the total cost of completing similar projects. Findings indicated that there were statistically significant differences in total costs of projects based on the contracting methods used and the types/class of railroad organizations performing the projects (p=0.004). Based on the study findings, it was recommended that the New York State Department of Transportation partner with the railroad organizations towards share cost agreement, develop short or long-term plans to either close railroad grade crossings or grade separate crossings along railroad corridors so that passenger and Class 1 railroad organizations can significantly contribute to HRI improvements. Furthermore, the government inspectors should adequately monitor the federal aided HRI projects performed by the railroad organizations.

Keywords: railroad grade crossings|cost overruns|railroad organizations|risk|total project costs

How to Cite:

Osipitan, O. & Shofoluwe, M., (2018) “Cost Analysis of Railroad Grade Crossing Projects Performed by Railroad Organizations in New York State”, The Journal of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering 34(2).