Programs, regulations, and infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing accidents and fatalities at locations where highways and railroads intersect at grade. Grade crossing safety measures include active warning devices, quad gates, median channelization, sight line improvements, and public education campaigns. Grade crossings account for the majority of rail-related fatalities in the United States.
An intersection at the same elevation (at-grade) where a road or pathway crosses a railroad track. Grade crossings are protected by warning devices ranging from simple crossbucks to full gates with flashing lights. They are a primary source of railroad accident fatalities and a focus of FRA safety programs.
The U.S. Department of Transportation agency responsible for railroad safety regulation and enforcement, including track standards, equipment inspection, operating rules, and hazardous materials transportation. The FRA conducts safety inspections, investigates accidents, and issues emergency orders when immediate safety threats exist. It also administers federal rail investment programs.
A formal directive issued by the FRA requiring railroads to take specific safety actions across their operations, such as inspecting a class of equipment, restricting train speeds, or implementing new operating procedures. General orders have the force of law and must be complied with immediately. They are typically issued in response to safety findings from accident investigations or inspection programs.