| NOTE: A crossing is not considered 'blocked' until a train has not moved for ten minutes. Railroad operating rules state a crossing should not be blocked for over ten minutes. However, if the train moves at all, the ten minutes starts over. Sometimes blockages are unavoidable due to track circumstances, accidents or other environmental or operating issues. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has no authority over blocked rail crossings. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has an online reporting form designed to collect data on this nationwide issue. Show
If you would like to directly contact the FRA regarding a blocked crossing issue please visit the FRA website for contact information. Launch FRA blocked crossings Share thisShare on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter There is a non-moving train that has been blocking the roadway for a long period of time, who can I contact?Call 911. Yes that's right, call 911. The 911 operator has the information to directly route a call to the proper contacts to get the road crossing unblocked. Tell the 911 dispatcher it is a non-emergency so they can call the proper contacts. If you are having trouble with a train that routinely blocks a roadway for long periods of time but is NOT CURRENTLY blocking a road you can call the Federal Railroad Administration Hot Line: (800) 724-5993 FRA recommends that railroads work cooperatively with state and local officials to eliminate or minimize the impact of blocked crossings wherever possible. Contact the Federal Railroad Administration to report the complaint. There are no federal laws that regulate the length of time a train may block a grade crossing. Such a law could have the undesirable effect of causing a railroad to violate other federal safety rules. Georgia § 46-8-197. Legal responsibility of member of train crew, yard crew, or engine crew for occupying or blocking street, road, or highway grade crossing pursuant to employer's orderNo member of a train crew, yard crew, or engine crew of a railroad common carrier shall be held personally responsible under, or found guilty of violating, any state laws or municipal ordinances regulating or intended to regulate the occupying or blocking of any street, road, or highway grade crossing by engines or passenger or freight cars, upon reasonable proof by the crew member that the occupying or blocking of the grade crossing was necessary to comply with the orders or instructions, either written or oral, of his employer or of the officers or supervisory officials of the company owning the railroad over which the engine or cars are operated; provided, however, that this Code section shall not relieve the employer or railroad company from any responsibility placed upon such employee or railroad company by any such state laws or municipal ordinances. Ga. Code Ann. § 46-8-197 (2012) Federal Railroad Administration How do I get a crossing closed?For crossings located on public roads, the road owner/local government should be contacted and advised of your concerns. Any local government can negotiate directly with the railroad proper to achieve such closures. In fact the railroad companies along with other railroad interests and the Federal Railroad Administration began an initiative back in the early 1990’s to close approximately 25% of all at-grade railroad crossings nationwide. The Department, with a match from the corresponding railroad, can provide a monetary cash incentive of up to $7500 to a local government for the closure of a single crossing. With respect to private crossings, the Department is prohibited from participating in negotiations to close private crossings. Such negotiation should take place between the railroad and the property owner, directly. You should also provide a map showing the exact location, Railroad Inventory Number (if known) and a photograph of the location you wish to be closed. Requests for information regarding public crossing closures or railroad contact information should sent to: Georgia Department of Transportation How do I get a whistle ban / quiet zone in my area? The public authority in your area may establish a whistle ban or quiet zone by following the procedures established by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in the Train Horn Final Rule as amended on August 17, 2006 Ref: 49 CFR part 222. Information on this procedure can be found at the FRA website at https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0889 or by contacting the GDOT Utilities Railroad Crossing Engineer. How long can trains block traffic in Michigan?A Michigan law was put on the books in 1993, meant to bar trains from blocking a crossing for more than five minutes under normal circumstances.
How long can a train block a crossing in Iowa?Iowa code says a train cannot block a crossing for more than 10 minutes. But a federal law supersedes state law when it come to trains. The Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1996 states that only the federal government has the jurisdiction to govern the movement and speeds of trains, Meraz said.
How long can a train legally block a road in Georgia?It states, in part, "It shall be unlawful for any railroad company, or any receiver or trustee operating a railroad, to obstruct for a longer period than five minutes the free passage on any street or road by standing cars or trains across the same."
How long can a train block a road in Utah?For example, in Utah that law says a train can't block a road for more than “five consecutive minutes.” There are exceptions for safety. If an object or a person is on the tracks, for example, the train is allowed to stop.
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How to report a train blocking a road
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