Hearing

Mr. Brian Vercruysse, Rail Safety Program Administrator for the Illinois Commerce Commission Written Testimony
Mr. Mark Christoffels, Chief Engineer for the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments/Alameda Corridor-East Project Written Testimony
Ms. Rachel Maleh, Executive Director for Operation Lifesaver Written Testimony
The Honorable Matthew O’Shea, Alderman for the 19^th Ward of Chicago of the Chicago City Council Written Testimony
Mr. Jason Morris, Assistant Vice President of Safety & Environment for Norfolk Southern Written Testimony

Railroad grade crossing safety, blocked crossings, railroad trespassing, and rail suicides are serious issues that affect the rail industry and many communities across America.

According to the FRA, in the last eight years, my home state of Arkansas experienced 76 total incidents due to railroad trespassing, 28 of which were fatalities.

I know that complaints of blocked grade crossings have amplified recently.  I commend the FRA and Administrator Batory for recognizing this problem and taking steps to fix it.

The rail industry has invested substantially in grade crossing safety, including through the use of new technologies, community education, and other deterrents to stop trespassers and suicides on the tracks.

Today we will hear about the FRA’s recent work to better monitor blocked crossings and to improve rail crossing safety.  We will also hear from railroads, state and local leaders, and other stakeholders about the problems they face with these issues, their efforts to combat them, and future needs to continue making improvements.

Finally, I note the importance of federal grants and federal funding opportunities through the Section 130 program and other grant programs that assist railroads, states and communities with grade crossing upgrades and improvements.