Section 1500.20  General Requirements

a)         Compensation for Curvature.  The horizontal clearances prescribed in this Section are for tangent tracks.  For curved tracks, clearance requirements outlined in the AREMA Manual shall be maintained.

b)         Compensation for Superelevation.  The vertical and horizontal clearances herein prescribed are for tracks where the tops of the rails are at the same level.  Where one rail is elevated above the other, compensation shall be made so that clearance requirements outlined in the AREMA Manual shall be maintained, the vertical clearances being taken from the top of the higher rail and the horizontal clearances being measured from the closest point in a line passing through the center line of the track and perpendicular to the face of the ties in the track.

c)         Warning Signs Required.  At all overhead freight loading platforms, awnings, canopies, coal chutes, ore tipples, entrances to warehouses, shop buildings and similar structures, where the vertical clearance is less than 21½ feet, and at all high freight-loading platforms where the horizontal clearance is less than 8 feet, warning signs shall be erected as a caution to employees.

d)         Location and Lettering of Warning Signs.  Warning signs for use at places having reduced clearances shall be of suitable size and placed in conspicuous positions with black letters upon a white background.  At the top of the sign shall be placed the word "WARNING" with the letters not less than 3 inches in height.  All other letters upon the sign shall be not less than 1½ inches in height.  Unless other words may more appropriately convey proper warning, remaining words on sign shall be "No clearance for a person on the side (or top) of car."  The foregoing words will require a sign 15 inches by 20 inches in size.

e)         Printed Rules.  In all cases where clearances require warning signs as provided in subsection (c), a printed rule shall be issued by the railroad company prohibiting its employees from occupying the tops or sides (as the case may require) of cars while in motion.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 20360, effective December 15, 2005)