railroad crossings

States press Supreme Court to address blocked railroad crossings

Nineteen states plus the District of Columbia have filed a legal briefing in support of Ohio’s request that the Supreme Court hear a case on whether states can have the authority to regulate railroad traffic at grade crossings.

Ohio is asking the Supreme Court to appeal a lower court ruling that determined that the Surface Transportation Board is the sole authority to regulate railroad activities. Ohio had argued that long trains operated by CSX (NASDAQ: CSX) were frequently blocking grade...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/states-press-supreme-court-to-address-blocked-railroad-crossings

Rail Roundup: Congressmen press STB to address rail service

A train hauling tank cars passes through a railroad crossing.Congressional leaders support shippers’ calls to improve freight rail service

A bipartisan group of members of Congress are concerned about how subpar freight rail service is affecting the fertilizer industry and the greater agricultural sector’s ability to compete in global markets.

In a Wednesday letter to the Surface Transportation Board, 51 congressional members representing states across the U.S. urged the board to address short-term challenges and utilize “practical updates and changes” to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/rail-roundup-congressmen-press-stb-to-address-rail-service

Railroad crossings require extra precautions, good judgment

Following a fatal collision between a tractor-trailer and freight train in Houston earlier this month, drivers are urged to take extra precautions when approaching railroad crossings.

The accident occured when a Kansas City Southern train collided with a truck, resulting in the death of the truck driver, the company said in a statement. 

The truck burst into flames upon impact, however, the crew on board the train was not injured. The incident is under investigation.

Harris County Sheriff Ed...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/railroad-crossings-require-extra-precautions-good-judgment

Most dangerous railroad crossings for US truckers

Tractor-trailer going through a railroad crossing.

Of the nation’s 200,000-plus railroad crossings tracked by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), at least 10 accidents apiece occurred at 15 of them from 2006 to 2015. While fatalities didn’t occur at all 15 crossings, and the data didn’t specify how many accidents involved large commercial trucks, the repeated incidents increase the potential for injuries and loss of life.

The FRA said many of the crossings are at busy, multiple-lane intersections in areas with significant truck traffic,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/most-dangerous-railroad-crossings-for-us-truckers

What do laws say about commercial vehicles crossing railroads?

Over 95% of all railroad fatalities are caused by crossing collisions and pedestrian trespassers on railroad tracks, according to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Many of these collisions can be avoided by following the federal laws put in place by Congress.

According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), commercial motor vehicles must stop within 50 feet of but not closer than 15 feet to the tracks and drivers must look each direction along the tracks for an...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-do-laws-say-about-commercial-vehicles-crossing-railroads

New federal rule: All states must develop grade crossing safety plans

A photograph of a truck at a rail crossing waiting for a passenger train to go by.

Every state plus the District of Columbia must now develop and implement action plans on how they can help make highway-rail grade crossings safer, according to new federal regulation.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Tuesday published a final rule that required 40 states and Washington to develop and implement highway-rail grade crossing action plans to help improve public safety. An additional 10 states that had already submitted plans to FRA must update their plans and report on...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/new-federal-rule-all-states-must-develop-grade-crossing-safety-plans

Nebraska officials want answers on blocked rail crossings

A photograph of a train at a railroad crossing.

Nebraska officials are preparing to ask BNSF (NYSE: BRK), Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) and the Nebraska Central Railroad to take more action against blocked highway-rail grade crossings in Grand Island in Hall County.

The transportation department within the Nebraska Public Service Commission plans to file a formal complaint against the three railroads for violating Commission Rule 002.09D. State officials will give the railroads 20 days to respond before taking any additional action.

The filing...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/nebraska-officials-want-answers-on-blocked-rail-crossings

Join Our Newsletter
Enter your email to receive a weekly round-up of shipping news.
icon
By subscribing, you agree with our privacy policy and our terms of service.