Section 4901:3-1-01 - Minimum track clearances for new railroad track construction or reconstruction of yard tracks of railroads operating within the state of Ohio(A) Each railroad in the state of Ohio is subject to the track clearance standards established in this rule.(B) On any new railroad track construction or reconstruction of yards in Ohio, the lateral clearance between centers of adjacent and parallel railroad tracks covering main lines, passing tracks, and yard tracks over which switching is performed, shall not be less than fourteen feet on tangent tracks and on curved tracks, provided that in specific cases if this commission, after investigation, finds that it would be unreasonable to require fourteen-foot clearance between track centers, it may by order prescribe lesser clearances.(C) Tracks constructed on, under, or adjacent to permanent railroad and highway structures, which structures were constructed previous to February 24, 1958 and were designed to provide less than fourteen-foot clearances for future tracks, are exempt from the provisions of this rule.(D) Ladder tracks shall be spaced not less than fifteen feet center to center from any parallel track and when such parallel track is another ladder track that it be spaced not less than eighteen feet center to center, body tracks shall be spaced not less than fourteen feet center to center and when paralleled to main track or important running track the first body track shall be spaced not less than fifteen feet center to center from such track; provided, however, that the commission upon application, when accompanied by a full statement of the conditions existing and the reasons upon which such permit is predicated, may permit any railroad to construct or reconstruct under such conditions, if any, as the commission may prescribe, any track or tracks at lesser clearance than herein required, when in the judgment of this commission, compliance with the clearance prescribed herein is unreasonable or unnecessary, and when lesser clearance would not create a condition unduly hazardous to the employees of such railroad.(E) This rule applies to any railroad defined in section 4907.02 of the Revised Code, in the construction of new yards or in the reconstruction of existing yards, except any extensions or realignments of existing tracks, after February 24, 1958, and railroads shall construct said tracks in compliance with the minimum track clearance standards herein prescribed after February 24, 1958, except any extensions or realignments of existing tracks or unless otherwise ordered by the commission.Ohio Admin. Code 4901:3-1-01
Effective: 7/1/2023
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 3/27/2023 and 06/20/2028
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: R.C. 4905.04
Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4907.03, 4907.24, 4907.44
Prior Effective Dates: 02/24/1958, 01/20/1963, 08/17/2006, 06/23/2019