# Plain Language Summary: Blocked Rail Crossings Safety Improvement Act of 2021

When trains block road crossings for too long, it creates real problems for communities. Ambulances can't reach hospitals quickly, fire trucks get stuck in traffic, and people miss work or important appointments. This bill tackles that problem head-on by creating a federal grant program to help communities separate train tracks from roads and by setting limits on how long trains can block public crossings.

The bill establishes a new funding program where the federal government will pay up to 85 percent of the cost for projects that physically separate highways from railroad crossings—think overpasses or underpasses that let cars and trains pass without interfering with each other. States, cities, counties, and tribal governments can apply for these grants. To qualify, railroad companies have to chip in at least 10 percent of the project cost and give permission to work on their property. The government will prioritize projects based on safety records, how many trains use the crossing daily, how often it gets blocked, and whether it's near schools, hospitals, or fire stations.

The bill also establishes a 10-minute time limit for how long trains can block public road crossings. Trains can exceed this limit only in emergencies—like accidents, derailments, safety equipment failures, or when they're sitting in rail yards. If a crossing gets blocked more than three times in a month (on different days) for longer than 10 minutes, the federal government will investigate and require the railroad to keep detailed records about what's causing the problem. After 60 days, if the railroad doesn't fix the issue, they can face civil penalties.

Additionally, the bill funds public awareness campaigns through nonprofit organizations to teach people about railroad safety, including how to recognize dangerous crossings and how to report unsafe railroad equipment or trespassing.

Blocked Rail Crossings Safety Improvement Act of 2021

Carson, André

Blocked Rail Crossings Safety Improvement Act of 2021 This bill addresses safety and congestion along railroad right-of-way and highway-rail grade crossings. For example, the bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide grants to (1) assist state, local, and tribal governments in funding the cost of highway-rail grade crossing separation projects; and (2) help nonprofit organizations carry out public information and education programs to help prevent and reduce rail-related pedestrian, motor vehicle, and other incidents, injuries, and fatalities, and to improve awareness along railroad right-of-way and at highway-rail grade crossings. Additionally, the bill prohibits railroad carriers from obstructing travel at public highway-rail crossings for more than 10 minutes, except under limited circumstances (e.g., safety issues). Further, DOT must (1) establish a national blocked crossings database for the public to report blocked crossing incidents; (2) conduct a comprehensive review of the national highway-rail crossing inventory; and (3) revise its regulations, guidance, or other relevant agency documents to include the number of suicides on a railroad crossing or railroad right-of-way in the total number of rail fatalities it reports each year.