The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Rail Administration (FRA) has announced a new final rule to meet a Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act requirement. The rule requires 40 states to develop and implement highway-rail grade crossing action plans. Previously, the the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 required 10 states with the most collisions to develop highway-rail grade crossing plans. The new rule requires these states to update their plans. They also must report to FRA about how they implemented their prior plans. The rule, intended to improve safety, becomes effective January 13, 2021.
Additional information about the final rule is available here. RDOs interested in the action plans and planning processes might be able to find information within their state rail offices.
