Grade Crossing Signal System Safety

FRA believes that highway-rail grade crossing (grade crossing) accidents resulting from warning system failures can be reduced. To ensure safety, railroads are required to take certain actions when they are notified of an activation failure. These required actions are set forth in 49 CFR part 234. An activation failure is defined as the failure of a grade crossing warning system to indicate the approach of a train at least 20 seconds prior to the train’s arrival at the crossing or to indicate the presence of a train occupying the crossing. Specifically, railroads must report to FRA every impact between on-track railroad equipment and an automobile, bus, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, farm vehicle, or pedestrian at a highway-rail grade crossing involving an activation failure. Notification must be provided to the National Response Center (NRC) within 24 hours of occurrence at the stipulated toll-free telephone number. In addition, railroads must report to FRA each activation failure of a highway-rail grade warning system within 15 days. Form FRA F 6180.83, “Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Warning System Activation Failure Report,” must be used for this purpose and completed using the instructions printed on the form. With this information, FRA can identify the causes of activation failures and investigate them to determine whether periodic maintenance, inspection, and testing standards are effective. This information collection is mandatory, collected as needed, and there is a reporting and recordkeeping requirement.

The latest form for Grade Crossing Signal System Safety expires 2029-09-30 and is listed under ICR 202605-2130-001.

View the official OMB control history on Reginfo.gov.