Train Complaint FAQs
There is a non-moving train that has been blocking the
roadway for a long period of time, who can I contact?
Call 911.
Yes that's right, call 911. The 911 operator has the information to directly route a call to the proper contacts to get the road crossing unblocked. Tell the 911 dispatcher it is a non-emergency so they can call the proper contacts.
If you are having trouble with a train that routinely
blocks a roadway for long periods of time but is NOT CURRENTLY blocking a road
you can call the Federal Railroad Administration Hot Line: (800) 724-5993
FRA recommends that railroads work cooperatively with
state and local officials to eliminate or minimize the impact of blocked
crossings wherever possible. Contact the Federal Railroad Administration to
report the complaint.
There are no federal laws that regulate the length of
time a train may block a grade crossing. Such a law could have the undesirable
effect of causing a railroad to violate other federal safety rules.
Federal Railroad Administration
61 Forsyth St SWSuite 16T20
Atlanta, GA 30303-3104
Phone: (404) 562-3800Hot Line: (800) 724-5993
How do I get a whistle ban / quiet zone in my area?
The public authority in your area may establish a whistle
ban or quiet zone by following the procedures established by the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) in the Train Horn Final Rule as amended on August
17, 2006 Ref: 49 CFR part 222. Information on this procedure can be found at
the FRA website at https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0889 or by contacting the GDOT
Utilities Railroad Crossing Engineer.
How do I get gates at a railroad crossing?
No entity, public or private, is precluded from
negotiating directly with the corresponding railroad to have train-activated
warning devices installed at a particular crossing provided the requesting
entity and/or the railroad are willing to fund the installation. Crossings
located on public roads (i.e. state routes, county roads or city streets) are
eligible for federal funding based on a priority basis. Crossings located on
private property or drives are not eligible for this funding and any negotiations
for active warning devices would be between the property owner and the
railroad.
Upon written request, this office will conduct a Highway-Rail Engineering Analysis to determine the status of a said public crossing as it relates to the other 7,000+ public at-grade crossings statewide. If the investigation reveals the subject crossing as one of the state’s highest priorities, then a project will be initiated. For investigations resulting in a crossing being ranked well down the list, this office will do its best to provide an approximate timeframe for when the location may be eligible for inclusion in the federal program. However no guarantees are made since information affecting a crossings priority standing can change from year to year causing it to move up or down on the list.
Written requests for investigations on public roads
should be sent to:
Georgia Department of Transportation
600 West Peachtree St, 10th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30308
Attn: Railroad Crossing Program Manager
The gates are down but there is no train coming, what
should I do?
O.C.G.A. Section 40-6-140 prohibits proceeding around
lowered crossing gates. If gates are down, please call the 1-800 number
provided at the crossing (Example of Emergency Contact Number Information) and
notify the railroad of the situation. Then proceed to a different location to
cross. If no 1-800 number is provided, proceed to a different location to cross
and notify the local law enforcement office of the situation.
There are no gates but the lights are flashing and I
do not see a train, what should I do?
In accordance with O.C.G.A Section 40-6-140, a person
shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail and
shall not proceed until he/she can do so safely, when:
- A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal
device gives warning of the immediate approach of a train
- A crossing gate is lowered or a human flagman
gives or continues to give a signal of the approach of the passage of a train
- An approaching train is plainly visible and is
in hazardous proximity to such crossing
How do I report an emergency on the tracks?
The Emergency Notification Systems (ENS) sign gives the
public critical emergency contact information at every highway-rail grade
crossing. The information on the ENS sign enables the public to reach the
railroad responsible for the crossing and to identify the specific crossing in
the event of an emergency.
In Case of Emergency, Use ENS Signs To Get Help
Report emergencies and safety concerns at a highway-rail
grade crossing by using the information on the ENS sign at the grade crossing.
- Locate the blue-and-white ENS sign at the grade
crossing.
- Call for help! Call the railroad’s emergency contact number listed on the ENS sign.
- Communicate your location by providing the
identification number and state the nature of the emergency to the dispatcher.
The signs contain the railroad’s emergency contact number and the U.S. Department of Transportation National Crossing Inventory Number, which identifies the exact location of the crossing to the railroads.