News Digest

The following press release was published by the U.S. Department of Transportation on Aug. 1, 2019. It is reproduced in full below.

FRA Develops Model State Legislation to Improve Safety at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), together with states, developed model state legislation for use in developing bills to improve safety at highway-rail grade crossings without gates or barriers. The model legislation is intended to help states address obstructions limiting a driver’s view of an oncoming train. Between 2001 and 2005, accident reports submitted by railroads to FRA show that 689 collisions resulting in 242 injuries and 87 fatalities occurred at highway-rail grade crossings with sight obstructions. Development of the model state legislation was required by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation