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

Topics:Transportation

Same legislation: SF 501, SF 2113

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Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedFebruary 21, 2023
Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 22, 2023
Done: Senate committeeMarch 2, 2023
Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 501
Next: House committee
Next: Passes the House
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Became SF 501 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 501 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Railroad companies must install at least two warning signs and enough flashing lights and gate arms at every place their tracks cross a public road. These tools are meant to warn people that a train is coming. The railroad company is responsible for paying for all of these safety items.¹

Read the official explanation

15). In addition, every corporation constructing or operating a railway is required to make and construct at all points where such railway crosses any public road good, sufficient, and safe crossings and erect at such points, at a sufficient elevation from such road as to admit a free passage of vehicles of every kind, a sign with large and distinct letters placed thereon, to give notice of the proximity of the railway, and warn persons of the necessity of looking out for trains. This bill requires a railroad corporation constructing or operating a railway to erect at least two such signs, and install a sufficient number of 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 warn persons of the necessity of looking out for trains. The bill provides that the railroad corporation is responsible for all associated costs.

Full bill text²

Senate subcommittee

Named February 22, 2023. On February 23, 2023 it recommended passage. [].

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Fiscal note

AI summary This bill requires railroad corporations to install specific signs, gate arms, and flashing signal lights at crossings and to pay for all associated costs. The Department of Transportation would need to hire one full-time employee to manage these improvements. This is estimated to cost the state $120,000.³

Read the fiscal note

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.