Section 2: Texas Railroad Information Management System (TRIMS)

Overview

TxDOT has adopted TRIMS as a statewide database for tracking various data related to rail-highway applications. TRIMS is a geospatial database which employs roadway maps and satellite images from Microsoft Bing
and Google
, as well as rail line data from TPP.
Some of the features of TRIMS include:
  • A crossing inventory module including photographs of each crossing.
  • A project management module for tracking rail-highway projects and tying these to the crossing inventory via DOT numbers.
  • Ability for TxDOT users to edit inventory and project data.
  • Ability to view which data has been edited over time.

TRIMS Versions

There are
two
 versions of TRIMS with various capabilities:
  • CoreTRIMS.
  • FieldTRIMS.

CoreTRIMS

The most advanced version of TRIMS, CoreTRIMS, allows users to view and edit data in both the crossing inventory and project management modules, depending on user access. CoreTRIMS is accessed on TxDOT workstations only.

FieldTRIMS

FieldTRIMS is a mobile data collection tool that does not need connection with the central TRIMS database. Users can update crossing inventory and take photos of crossings in the field.
Later this data is
 synced with the central TRIMS database when internet service is available.
The WebTRIMS module was retired.

Crossing Inventory Data Integrity

Integrity of inventory data in TRIMS is extremely important. Some of the uses of the crossing data include:
  • Prioritization of at-grade crossings for safety upgrades under the
    Section 130 program
    .
  • Prioritization of at-grade crossings for grade separation under the RGS Program.
  • Various reports needed for state and federal government.
Some critical data at each at-grade crossing requiring regular updating includes:
  • Train counts (through and switching).
  • Minimum and maximum train speeds.
  • AADT.
  • Special vehicle movements.
  • Percent trucks.
  • Roadway speed limit.
  • FRA reported crash history.
Other data requiring updates after a project impacting the crossing is completed includes:
  • Crossing status (open, closed, abandoned, out of service or under construction).
  • Crossing type (public, private or pedestrian).
  • Crossing position (at-grade, railroad over
    or
     railroad under).
  • Roadway type (one-way or two-way).
  • Types and quantities of warning devices.
  • Presence of medians or channelizing devices.
  • Presence of
     adjacent intersections or traffic signals.
  • Number of tracks at crossing.
  • Crossing surface type.
  • Crossing length.
  • Quiet Zone
    presence
    .
  • Number of lanes at crossing.
  • Truck lane
    (if applicable)
    .
  • Number of sidewalks at crossing.
  • Roadway surface.
  • Roadway width.
  • Shoulder type and width.
  • Signs at crossing and on approaches.
  • Pavement marking and illumination information.
  • ENS information.
  • Clearance restriction (if applicable).
  • Highway functional class.
  • Area land use and development type.
  • Stopping sight distance and related information for passive crossings.
  • Changes to rail lines (removals, additions and relocations).
  • Photos of crossing.
Any changes to rail line data are coordinated through TPP for updates to the statewide rail map and server that links to TRIMS to reveal this information.
Crossing data found in TRIMS that does not typically require updating includes:
  • DOT Number.
  • Roadway approach directions.
  • Railroad company, division, subdivision, and milepost.
  • Highway and street name.
  • City, county and TxDOT district.
  • NBI bridge number.
  • Latitude, longitude, and elevation.
  • Crossing angle.
  • Track orientation direction.
  • Adjacent crossing information.

Crossing Data Responsibilities

On an annual basis or as railroad capital improvement projects are completed, railroad companies should submit to
RRD
 accurate:
  • Train counts (through and switching).
  • Minimum and maximum train speeds.
RRD
 receives annual updates from
Transportation Programming and Planning (TPP)
 to:
  • AADT.
  • Roadway speed limit.
  • Roadway functional classification.
  • Percent trucks.
This information may be found on the Statewide Planning Map maintained by TPP.
RRD
 typically receives updates from districts on:
  • Special vehicle movements.
Average daily traffic in TRIMS is calculated using either the AADT estimation provided by TPP or by a Programmed Annual Average Daily Traffic (PAADT) if available. A PAADT is an actual count performed in the field by either TxDOT or local government. Since a PAADT represents actual counts taken, the PAADT is used in lieu of the AADT for the purposes of performing FSP or RGS program rankings.
RRD
 updates crash data
monthly
 in TRIMS based on data found within:
  • FRA database.

Crash Records Information System (CRIS)

CRIS is a statewide database used for filing police reports for crashes on any public roadway in Texas. CRIS can serve as a separate source of data for verifying crash data provided in the FRA database. CRIS data is not currently incorporated into TRIMS.
Crash reports may be obtained online.

TRIMS Project Management Module

The project management module in TRIMS includes information for all types of rail-highway projects. Some data in the project module includes:
  • CSJ and project numbers.
  • Project type (construction, replanking or safety).
  • DOT numbers impacted.
  • Location
    information
     (city, county, roadway, and district).
  • Letting dates.
  • Listing of project steps and completion dates.
  • Project attachments including diagnostic notes, preemption forms, PE Agreements, C&M Agreements, Authority to Order Materials, Work Orders, inspection notes, approved invoices, Completion Letters, Completion Checklists, etc.
  • Description of project and scope of work.
  • Journal entries.
  • Basic cost information.
RRD
 and district railroad coordinators share responsibility for project updates in TRIMS.
RRD
 creates the projects, adds basic project
information
 and steps, and typically uploads any agreement information and Completion Checklists to the project. Work Orders, inspection diaries, approved invoices, and Completion Letters are uploaded by districts.
Only TxDOT users have access to the TRIMS project management module.
Consultants working on RRD projects may be allowed access to TRIMS on a case-by-case basis.