Relating to required railway crossing signs, signals, and gate arms

Description

Senate File 2113 requires a railroad corporation constructing or operating a railway to erect at least two signs, and install enough gate arms, gate arm signals, and crossing signal lights designed to flash when a train approaches a crossing, to give notice of the proximity of the railway and warning signs. The Bill provides that the railroad corporation is responsible for all associated costs.

Background

Under current law, wherever a railway track crosses a highway, street, or alley, the railroad corporation owning such track and the applicable governmental entity may agree upon the location, manner, vacation, physical structure, characteristics, and maintenance of the crossing and flasher lights or gate arm signals at the crossing and the allocation of associated costs thereof pursuant to Iowa Code section 327G.15. Every corporation constructing or operating a railway is required pursuant to Iowa Code section 327G.2 to erect a sign with large and distinct letters to give notice of the proximity of the railway and warn persons of the necessity of looking out for trains. There are 4,108 open public at-grade highway railroad grade crossings in the State of Iowa.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Program participates in the cost of safety improvements at public highway-railroad grade crossings. These funds are used to install new crossing signal devices, upgrade existing signals, and provide low-cost improvements.

Assumptions

• The DOT will hire 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Executive Officer 2 position to implement and manage the design, construction, and railroad crossing improvements to ensure projects comply with roadway design and traffic control standards.
• According to the Department of Management, the starting salary and benefits for an Executive Officer 2 FTE position is $86,000.
• The DOT anticipates hiring an Executive Officer 2 near the top of the salary range for that position. The annual cost of this position is estimated to be $120,000. The position would be located in the Modal Transportation Bureau which is funded through appropriations to the DOT for operations.

Fiscal Impact

The estimated fiscal impact of SF 2113 is approximately $120,000 for 1.0 Executive Officer 2 FTE position in the DOT.

Source

• Department of Transportation