As part of its ongoing effort to improve safety at railroad grade crossings, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Monday, March 2, 2015 announced a first step in a new, multi-faceted campaign aimed at strengthening enforcement and safety awareness at grade crossings.
FRA said the first phase calls upon local law enforcement agencies to show a greater presence at grade crossings, issue citations to drivers that violate rules of the road at crossings, and consider rapid implementation of best practices for grade crossing safety.
FRA's next phase will aim "to employ smarter uses of technology, increase public awareness of grade crossing safety, including distracted driving, improve signage, work closer in partnership with states and local safety agencies, and call for new funding for greater safety at grade crossings."
"Recent accidents in New York and California are important reminders of our shared challenge to both educate the public about grade crossing safety, and to enforce appropriate behavior around railroad operations," said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "Grade crossing and trespassing accidents are serious challenges to maintaining public safety. Every three hours of every day, someone is hit by a train in the United States and we must do all we can to heighten public awareness, strengthen enforcement efforts and pioneer new technologies to better secure public safety."
There are 250,711 grade crossings in the U.S. and, of those, about 51% are public-at-grade crossings. Only half of all public grade crossings have automatic-warning systems, and only a third have flashing lights and gates, FRA says. Approximately 15% of all grade crossings are grade separated - the safest of all crossings - meaning railroad traffic is completely separated from vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
States and localities have traditionally played the most significant role in determining the type of warning system present at grade crossings, with most system decisions determined by traffic levels. Upgrades to existing grade crossings are also the responsibility of states and local communities. Under federal law and regulations, railroads are responsible for inspecting, testing, and maintaining highway-rail grade crossings. The FRA issues and enforces regulations on crossing safety, issues guidance on best practices and conducts research on ways to improve crossings safety.
Additionally, the federal government provides more than $287.9 million annually to states to help improve and enhance safety at public grade crossings, FRA says.
"The reality is that while the overall number of deaths and injuries from grade crossing incidents has come down significantly over the last two decades, this remains a serious problem. We can and should be doing everything we possibly can to keep drivers, pedestrians, and train crews and passengers safe at grade crossings," said FRA Acting Administrator Sarah Feinberg. "In addition to this renewed outreach to law enforcement, FRA will take a fresh look at our grade crossing programs and activities."