Sec. 9553. Establishment of 10-minute time limit for blocking public grade crossings

299 words·~1 min read·/bill/116/hr/2/ih/section-9553

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Subchapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this division, is further amended by adding at the end the following: A train, locomotive, railroad car, or other rail equipment is prohibited from blocking a crossing for more than 10 minutes, unless the train, locomotive, or other equipment is directly delayed by— a casualty or serious injury; an accident; a track obstruction; an act of God; or a derailment or a major equipment failure that prevents the train from advancing. The Secretary of Transportation may issue civil penalties for violations of subsection

(a)in accordance with section 21301. The Secretary may delegate enforcement actions under subsection

(b)to States either through a State inspector certified by the Federal Railroad Administration, or other law enforcement officials as designated by the States and approved by the Administration. The Secretary shall issue guidance or regulations not later than 1 year after the date of enactment on the criteria and process for States to gain approval under this section. This section shall not apply to Amtrak or commuter authorities, including Amtrak and commuter authorities’ operations run or dispatched by a Class I railroad. In this section: The term crossing means a location within a State in which a public highway, road, or street, including associated sidewalks and pathways, crosses 1 or more railroad tracks either at grade or grade-separated. The term blocked crossing means a circumstance in which a train, locomotive, railroad car, or other rail equipment is stopped or is standing in a manner that obstructs public travel at a crossing. . The analysis for subchapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following new item: 20173. Time limit for blocking a rail crossing. .