1 FRA’s Grade Crossing Safety Program 2012 Southeastern Rail Highway Safety Conference Charlotte, NC

2 Why Is It Important?

3 Rail Fatalities in 2011 Total 741

Highway-Rail Fatalities Trends

Collisions, Fatalities and Exposure Rail (million train miles) X Hwy Volume (trillion hwy miles) Collisions X 10 Fatalities (= quadrillion)

FRA assists the railroads in working with states and local communities to: –close crossings –plan corridor safety programs –advance public education and awareness –promote law enforcement Issue regulations –ENS –train horn –reflectors Federal Railroad Administration Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety

Emergency Notification System (ENS) MUTCD Example SHSM Example 12” x 9” 1” white lettering blue background

ENS Compliance Dates July 2015 – Railroads w/no existing system July 2017 – Railroads w/current signs that are non- compliant

Quiet Zones at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

Train Horns & Quiet Zones Continues to be a great deal of interest in establishing quiet zones. –News clip articles almost daily –Web/ /correspondence inquiries almost every day. 487 quiet zones in existence –288 – new quiet zones –165 – pre-rule quiet zones –70 new quiet zones established in CY 11 –34 new ones as of August 2012

Train Horns & Quiet Zones FRA completed a study in Summer of 2011 that found no significant difference between the number of collisions before and after a quiet zone is established. Preliminary analysis in 2012 shows the same result – no significant difference Very few complaints about non-compliance with a quiet zone. Some complaints about the high costs for railroad work (e.g., CWT & warning devices)

Blocked Crossings 2 nd most source of complaint FRA has no regulations on the subject –Part 234 – interference with operation Work with railroad to find resolution Usually successful

Private Crossings No regulations on the matter “Railroad tore out my crossing” –Enter into private crossing agreement –State laws on property access Safety at Private Crossings Report – Feb Need to decide on whether to take a policy or regulatory approach

National Crossing Inventory Form Hot off the press!!! As of October 18, 2012 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) issued.

Highlights of the NPRM NPRM PROPOSES that:  Railroads to update every 3 years.  Applies to all public, private and pathway crossings.  Class 1’s required to submit electronically.  NPRM does not apply to States, RSIA did, MAP-21 removed FHWA authority.

Noted proposed timelines in NPRM 3 months  Certain change to the crossing (i.e. closure, surface, added gates, sale/transfer new warning devices.) 6 months  Crossings yet to be submitted  Newly established crossings 3 years  Existing crossings must be updated

NPRM Deadline Date Comment period ends Dec. 17, 2012 Technical symposium Docket #FRA

Trespass Division Workshop Seminar – St. Louis  August 2012  index.shtml Trespasser Death Study  Survey out to Medical Examiners  Results to be plotted on a GIS map

Thank-you! (202)