Authors: U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO)

Date of Publication:  August 1995

Sponsoring Agency:  U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO)

Performing Organization:  U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO)

Report No: GAO/RCED-95-191

Abstract:

Since 1974, when the Rail-Highway Crossing Program began, the yearly number of accidents and fatalities at public railroad crossings has declined by about 61 percent and 34 percent, respectively. The more significant reductions in railroad crossing accidents and fatalities were achieved during the first 10 years of the program, when the states improved the most dangerous crossings. Since 1985, progress has been limited.

DOT and the states are using a variety of strategies to improve safety at railroad crossings. DOT is developing alternatives to the formula used to distribute section 130 funds that would target funds to those states with the most crossings, fatalities, and accidents. It is also funding the development of advanced technologies that can be used at the most dangerous crossings and encouraging improvements to crossings along specific rail corridors. The states are working to close more crossings and strengthen public education and law enforcement efforts to change motorists’ dangerous behavior.

DOT has developed a Rail-Highway Crossing Safety Action Plan that sets a national goal of reducing railroad crossing accidents and fatalities by 50 percent from 1994 to 2004. Whether DOT attains the plan’s overall goal will depend, in large part, on how well it coordinates the efforts of the states and railroads, whose contributions to implementing the 55 separate proposals are critical. The success of the plan will also depend on DOT’s efforts to determine the plan’s costs, arrange for financing, and develop an evaluation component to assess the effect of the actions taken.
 

No. of Pages:  63