Spring 2026 Newsletter
ATAP's Safety First Quiz: MUTCD Rules for Low Clearance Crossings
Question: What is wrong with this picture?
Background: In the picture, the semi-trailer was completing a local pickup and became stuck on a rail crossing. How do we alert motorists that there is an identified concern for low clearance at a rail crossing? How long should an advanced warning sign be in place near the concern?
Answer: The 11th Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) states in Section 8B.16, Page 1005, Note 1, "If the highway profile conditions are sufficiently abrupt to create a hang-up situation for long wheelbase vehicles or for trailers with low ground clearance, the Low Ground Clearance Grade Crossing (W10-5) sign (see Figure 8B-4) should be installed in advance of the grade crossing."
To further assist the highway practitioner, Section 8B.16, Page 1005, Note 2 states, "Because this symbol might not be readily recognizable by the public, the Low Ground Clearance Grade Crossing (W10-5) warning sign shall be accompanied by a LOW GROUND CLEARANCE (W10-5P) educational plaque. The LOW GROUND CLEARANCE educational plaque shall remain in place for at least 3 years after the initial installation of the W10-5 sign (see Section 2A.09)."
This scenario is covered in the ATAP Signs, Pavement Markings, and the MUTCD training and in our new Rail Safety Webinars. These workshops/webinars will cover key sections of the MUTCD, demonstrate how to avoid potential liability, and, most importantly, provide the tools to keep motorists and pedestrians safe. If you haven't been through one of our trainings or would like to refresh your MUTCD or Rail Safety training, we would like to see you at our next series of workshops/webinars. Please see our Workshops/Webinars section or go to the ATAP website for the upcoming schedule of workshops/webinars.
This example was provided by ATAP Associate Director Scott Tison (334-844-5762 or sit0006@auburn.edu). If you have any questions about worker's safety, railroad safety or any other questions please don't hesitate to call ATAP at (334) 844-5762 or by email at atap@auburn.edu.
Courses, Workshops and Webinars
ATAP is committed to providing crucial training and technical assistance to agencies across Alabama. We've had a busy and successful stretch providing valuable workshops and webinars in 2025 and into 2026.
This past season, we saw strong attendance and successful completion for key sessions including: Guardrail, Fundamentals of Traffic Engineering, ADA in the Work Zone, and Pavement Preservation. As the weather cooled down, our training schedule remained robust. We successfully hosted: Roadway Drainage Maintenance, Fundamentals of Roadway Geometric Design, Flagger Training, Temporary Traffic Control, and Pavement Markings: Road User Guidance. These sessions are vital for promoting safety and efficiency on Alabama's roads, and we appreciate everyone who took the time to attend.
Interested in attending an ATAP workshop or webinar in the future? Find all upcoming opportunities and registration information on our website under "Workshops and Webinars".
Conferences
The 2025 Alabama Road Safety Conference (ARSC) successfully convened October 21-23, 2025, in Florence, Alabama, at the Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa. The event welcomed over 220 transportation professionals, who gained valuable insights across critical industry areas, including safety technology advancements, county-level safety project implementation, and regulatory policy updates. A central focus of the conference was the keynote address, delivered by Dr. Karen Philbrick and Brandon Anderson, which highlighted the vital importance of prioritizing mental health in the transportation sector. Attendees were strongly encouraged to proactively manage their well-being and champion mental health awareness.
In 2026 Alabama Transportation Conference (ATC) was held on February 4-5, 2026 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama, with a successful turnout of over 950 attendees. A major highlight of the event was the opening general session, which featured distinguished keynote speakers, Huntsville Mayor Thomas "Tommy" Battle Jr. and Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster.
Further details regarding upcoming conferences can be found on the ATAP website via "Conferences".
A Message from the Director
From Dr. Larry Rilett to the Alabama Transportation Assistance Program Community
Alabama truly has an extensive multimodal transportation system, and today I'd like to highlight our rail network. Alabama's rail system is one of the largest in the Southeast, spanning roughly 3,200 miles of active freight track and served by a mix of Class I, regional, and short-line railroads. The Class I carriers operating in the state include CSX, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, BNSF, and Kansas City Southern. Alabama is also home to 19 short-line railroads, including the Alabama Southern Railroad, Autauga Northern Railroad, Bay Line Railroad, Conecuh Valley Railroad, Eastern Alabama Railway, Huntsville & Madison County Railroad, Luxapalila Valley Railroad, and the Meridian & Bigbee Railroad. According to the Alabama State Rail Plan, the system moves well over 150 million tons of freight each year, driven by major commodities such as coal, chemicals, automotive products, forest products, and intermodal shipments. Together, these railroads form a critical freight backbone, connecting industries from steel to agriculture and linking the Gulf Coast to national markets.
Of course, railway safety is a critical concern for state transportation agencies, including ALDOT. The large number at at-grade road-rail crossings across Alabama creates significant crash-risk locations. I'm pleased to share that ATAP, in partnership with ALDOT's Rail-Highway Program in the Design Bureau, will be developing a series of railway safety webinars and workshops. The first offering, scheduled for fall 2026, will focus on traffic signal preemption at intersections located near at-grade railroad crossings. By law, railroads must provide a minimum of 20 seconds of warning before a train reaches a crossing. When a traffic signal is positioned close to the tracks, there is a potential for vehicles to queue back across the rails. This course will address how to implement traffic-signal preemption to ensure vehicles clear the tracks before a train arrives.
In conclusion, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated county and city transportation professionals across Alabama. Your feedback plays a vital role in helping us improve our services, so please take a moment to complete our surveys and feel free to reach out with any suggestions. With our new initiative focused on railroad education, we would especially welcome your ideas for additional webinars or short courses that would benefit the Alabama LTAP community. Wishing you a safe enjoyable 2026 -- I look forward to connecting with you at our upcoming events!
Staff Spotlight
Tyler Mitchell serves as an Associate Director for Training and Technical Assistance with the Alabama Transportation Assistance Program (ATAP). As a professional civil engineer with a background in transportation engineering, he brings a local agency perspective to the ATAP team. In this role, Tyler provides operational guidance for ATAP, including managing Alabama's Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP). He is passionate about serving the traveling public and works to provide engineering assistance to local road agencies, often in coordination with the Alabama Department of Transportation.
Prior to joining ATAP, Tyler served various roles within a county highway department managing the design, construction, and maintenance of roadway projects and public infrastructure, and also gained experience during a stint with a private consulting firm. Originally from south Alabama, Tyler attended Auburn University where he earned his Bachelor and Master of Civil Engineering degrees and met his wife Kristi who is also a civil engineer. They moved back to the Plains with their son, Eli, a little over a year ago. Tyler enjoys spending time with his family traveling, hiking, and exploring the outdoors, particularly National Parks.
