RAIL CROSSING SAFETY--AT WHAT PRICE

The Federal Highway Administration has not decided how much warning or protection motorists should have at railroad crossings. As a result, States have widely divergent policies for improving crossing safety. Because Federal funds are earmarked for specific highway improvements, States have limited flexibility to select those projects that, in their judgment, provide the most safety in relation to cost. GAO recommends that: (1) The Highway Administration define the extent of safety needed at grade crossings and (2) The Congress authorize States additional flexibility, provided Federal funds are used to the best advantage.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/summary.php?recflag=&rptno=CED-78-83
• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. General Accounting Office

  441 G Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20548
• Publication Date: 1978-4-25

Media Info

• Pagination: 60 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Cost allocation; Drivers; Federal government; Government funding; Highway safety; Highways; Intersections; Protection; Railroad grade crossings; Railroads; Risk analysis; Safety; Safety engineering; State government; States; Warning systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fund allocations
• Old TRIS Terms: Allocations; Grade crossing safety
• Subject Areas: Finance; Highways; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00181201
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: CED-78-83 Cong Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 14 1978 12:00AM