TxDOT rail safety inspectors conduct safety inspections of railroad
facilities and equipment and monitor compliance with both state and
federally-mandated safety regulations in the areas of hazardous materials,
operating practices, motive power and equipment, signal and train control, and
track.
Texas is currently participating in the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA)
Rail State Safety Participation Program under 49 CFR Part 212 which allows
states to enter into an agreement with FRA for the delegation of specified
authority, such as investigative and surveillance authority regarding all or any
part of Federal railroad safety laws.
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What should I do if I think
that a railroad crossing signal is malfunctioning? |
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Occasionally crossing signals malfunction at highway rail
grade crossings. It is important all malfunctions be
reported as soon as possible.Active warning devices are
set up as failsafe devices, meaning that should a
malfunction occur, the lights will flash and gates remain in
the lowered position providing the maximum protection to the
driving public. Signals malfunction for numerous reasons,
including inclement weather conditions.
To report malfunctioning grade crossing signals call the
signal hot-line at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
1-800-772-7677 (staffed 24 hours a day). This hot-line is
only for reporting malfunctioning flashing signals, flashing
lights, gates and bells. Other railroad problems should be
reported to the operating railroad or TxDOT. When reporting
a malfunctioning grade crossing signal to DPS it is very
important that you provide them with exact location, the
county, the town and the name of the street or roadway at
the crossing intersection. If available the crossing
identification number (DOT #) posted at each crossing is
very helpful. The DOT # (6 digits followed by a letter)
should be on a sign placed on the grade crossing signal mast
at all public crossing or on a structure located near the
crossing housing the railroad's electrical equipment.
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Where may I find
information on a particular crossing, for instance, DOT # ownership,
number of daily trains or other related railroad crossing information? |
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The trains in my
neighborhood block the crossing for long periods of time. Is there a
time limit on how long they can block the crossing? |
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The state's railroad anti-blocking statute (Section 471.007
of the Transportation Code imposed a penalty against a railway company if its
train blocked a crossing for more than ten minutes) was overturned by the Fifth
Circuit Court of Appeals in 2001. A copy of the Texas Attorney General's opinion
from June 2005 can be found
online.
Because the federal courts have ruled that federal laws
preempt the state's anti-blocking statute, TxDOT does not
have any statutory or regulatory authority to compel a
railroad train to unblock a crossing.
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As I approach a grade
crossing in my neighborhood, I am unable to see very far down the tracks
due to the overgrowth of vegetation. Is there someone I can contact to
have this taken care of? |
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(The Texas Administrative Code Title 43 Rule 7.47) requires
railroads to maintain the vegetation on their right-of-way tracks at all public
grade crossings which do not have (electronic warning devices.) The vegetation
must be kept sufficiently low so that it does not interfere with a motorist's
view of the tracks the width of the railroad's right of way for distance of 250
feet on either side of the center of the crossing intersection. TxDOT personnel
enforce this rule and should be contacted if a violation is noted.If heavy
vegetation is obstructing a motorist's view of the tracks at any crossing, on
any railroad right-of-way or adjacent property next to the tracks drivers should
note the exact location of the obstructed view and contact the TxDOT at (512)
486-5127.
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There are some tracks very
close to my home that I walk on to get to the store. Is this against the
law? |
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Yes, it is against the law to walk on railroad tracks.
Railroad tracks and right-of-way are private property with access strictly
limited to railroad personnel and others granted permission by the railroad. All
other are considered trespassers. Over 1000 people are either killed or injured
each year in the United States while trespassing on railroad tracks, in rail
yards and on other railroad property.
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Where can I find the rules
and regulations pertaining to railroad operations in the state of Texas? |
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Is it OK for a pedestrian
to ignore activated warning devices such as flashing red lights and
lowered gates at a grade crossing? |
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No, the active warning devices installed at the grade
crossing are not just there for the safety benefit of the
vehicle but also apply to the pedestrian. Pedestrians,
bicyclists and any other highway user may be cited for
failing to comply with crossing signals. Never walk around
or behind lowered gates at a crossing. Always wait for the
lights to stop flashing or the train to pass before
proceeding across the tracks.
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When I am behind a school
bus as I approach a railroad grade crossing, the bus always stops. Why
is this? |
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State law requires all vehicles carrying passengers for hire, including
school buses, to stop at every railroad crossing, including those with active
warning devices. The operator of a school bus must stop the vehicle not closer
than 15 feet nor farther away than 50 feet from the track. While stopped, the
operator is to listen and look in both directions for an approaching train or
activation of the crossing signals. The operator may not proceed until it is
safe to do so. Carriers of flammable materials such as gasoline must also stop
at all crossings.
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Why is the engineer unable
to stop the train to avoid hitting a person or vehicle? |
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Trains can't stop quickly. An average train, weighing 12 million pounds is 4,000
times heavier than the average car. After applying the emergency train brakes, a
train with 100 cars traveling 55 miles per hour will take one mile or more to
come to a stop. The average car traveling 55 mph on dry pavement takes 200 feet
to stop.
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Who are the unseen victims
of grade crossing and trespasser collisions? |
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Every 120 minutes in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train. These
incidents result in thousands of deaths and injuries each year. But the train
crew involved in a fatal collision with a vehicle or a trespasser is also a
victim. The train crew is often renders emergency to vehicle occupants. The
impact of a vehicle-train collision has been measured by Canadian Pacific
Railway to exert a force of 300gs of gravity. This force far exceeds the limits
a human body can withstand in a collision. The train crew must deal with the
tragic consequences of a collision that they have little or no power to avoid.
Many crew members are unable to work for a time following a fatal collision.
Some have even left the industry due to the cumulative effect of multiple
collisions.
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125 East 11th Street . Austin, Texas 78701 
