H.R. 5783: SAFE TRACKS Act

This bill, known as the SAFE TRACKS Act, aims to amend existing legislation related to the safety of highway-rail grade crossings. The main components of the bill include:

Periodic Reports on Safety

The bill requires the Federal Railroad Administration to submit periodic reports on the safety of highway-rail grade crossings. Specifically, the reports will occur:

• Initially when the bill is enacted.
• Then, every five years thereafter.

Collaboration with Stakeholders

In the reports, states are mandated to outline how they will work with various stakeholders. This includes:

• Railroads operating within and across the state.
• Mental health and law enforcement agencies.

The goal of this collaboration is to develop strategies for reducing pedestrian fatalities along railroad rights-of-way, which specifically focuses on addressing issues such as suicides in these areas.

Inclusion of New Reporting Elements

The updated reporting requirements also add a new element where states will be responsible for detailing their strategies and actions they plan to take to combat pedestrian fatalities near railroad access points.

Overall Objective

The overarching aim of the SAFE TRACKS Act is to enhance safety measures at highway-rail grade crossings and to promote proactive coordination between various agencies and entities to reduce fatalities.

Relevant Companies

• UNP (Union Pacific Corporation) - As a major railroad operator, any regulations surrounding safety measures at crossings could directly impact their operational costs and safety protocols.
• CSX (CSX Corporation) - Similar to Union Pacific, CSX, being a key player in the railroad industry, would need to adapt to new regulations and safety reporting requirements, potentially affecting their logistics and safety strategies.