U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation chairwoman, and U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), John Fetterman (D-PA), and J.D. Vance (R-OH) introduced a resolution Wednesday designating Sept. 23-29 as “Rail Safety Week.”
“This important observance should lead to greater safety awareness and a reduction in highway-rail grade crossing collisions, derailments, rail worker fatalities, and other railroad incidents,” the senators wrote. “Everyone is encouraged to take added caution as motorists or pedestrians approach tracks or trains.”
In 2023, approximately 96 percent of all rail-related fatalities happened at highway-rail grade crossings or as the result of trespassing incidents.
In addition, Class I freight railroads had the highest accident rate not at grade crossings in a decade. This includes the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that resulted in five vinyl chloride tank cars burning and the evacuation of approximately 2,000 residents.
The resolution also included the need to improve the safe transportation of hazardous materials, prevent derailments and rail worker fatalities, and reduce accidents and injuries at highway-rail crossings.
The new Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program will award $3 billion over five years for highway-rail grade separation projects.