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WASHINGTON, DC - Language authored by Congressman Henry Brown was included in a compromise agreement to the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007, as it passed the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure last week. Congressman Brown’s language would establish a federal policy to support the development life-saving technology designed to prevent collisions at the over 140,000 railroad crossings in this country. In a meeting of the Committee last week, Congressman Brown expressed the need to develop and implement Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technology:
“From cameras, to acoustic and GPS sensors, up to the potential use of in vehicle warning systems or even integration with positive train control systems to halt a train before a collision occurs, the lifesaving potential of ITS at crossings is very exciting. The development and deployment of new technology will go far towards improving safety on and around our rail system.”
In 2006 alone, there were more than 2,908 automobile collisions at railroad crossings, resulting in 366 deaths and over one thousand injuries. Though safety improvements at rail crossings have significantly lessened the frequency of collisions, the cost of this technology has stalled its implementation nationwide. Currently, the Federal Railroad Association estimates that nearly two thirds of our nation’s rail crossings do not have train activated warning devices in place. Brown’s language is intended to jump start the development and deployment of new and affordable technology to safeguard all crossings. In the five counties that make up the First District, there are 183 crossings without active safety devices.
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