USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu FHWA Highway Safety Programs Home
                        Safety
                        HSIP
                        Railway Highway Crossing Program


            
            In This Section
        Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
                                Overview
                About
                Planning
                Implementing
                Evaluating
                Reporting
                Noteworthy Practices
                Legislation and Guidance
                Resources
                HSIP Special Rules
                Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)
                                Overview
                About
                Develop
                Implement
                Evaluate
                Promote
                Legislation and Guidance
                Resources
                Noteworthy Practices
                Safety Performance Measure
                                Overview
                State Safety Performance Targets
                Policy & Guidance
                Fact Sheets & Informational Webinars
                Target-Setting Resources
                Safety Data Resources
                State Safety Reports
                Safety Contacts
                Technical Assistance & Training
                Railway Highway Crossing Program
                                Overview
                Policy and Guidance
                Resources
      
   Program Contact
      Esther Strawder
      
                    
            Railway-Highway Crossings
      
                    
            FHWA Highway Safety
      
                
    **Email:**esther.strawder@dot.gov**Phone:** (202) 366-6836
    If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
                
                Policy and Guidance
    

    
    
          Eligibility

The Section 130 program funds are eligible for projects at all public crossings including roadways, bike trails and pedestrian paths. Fifty percent of a State's apportionment under 23 USC 130(e) is no longer a requirement for the installation of protective devices at crossings. The Section 130 funds apportionment can be used for any hazard elimination project, including protective devices. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law extends eligibility to include projects at grade crossings to eliminate hazards posed by blocked crossings due to idling trains.

In accordance with 23 USC 130(i), the funds can be used as incentive payments for local agencies to close public crossings provided there are matching funds from the railroad. Also, in accordance with 23 USC 130(h), the funds can be used for local agencies to provide matching funds for State-funded projects.

Program Requirements

Per 23 USC 130(d), each State is required to conduct and maintain a survey of all highways to identify railroad crossings that may require separation, relocation, or protective devices, and establish and implement a schedule of projects. At a minimum, this schedule is to provide signs for all railway-highway crossings.

In accordance with 23 USC 130(g), States are required to submit annual reports on the progress of implementing their Railway-Highway Crossings program. For additional information please see the Railway-Highways Crossings Program Reporting Guidance and the Rail-Highway Crossings Program (Section 130) Questions & Answers. Also, 23 USC 130(k) allows States to use up to 8% of their Section 130 funding for compilation and analysis of data to support the reporting requirements.

23 USC 130(l) requires States to update information for each public crossing in the DOT crossing inventory database, including information about warning devices and signage. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) maintains the Crossing Inventory. On January 6, 2015, the FRA published regulations that require railroads to submit information to the Crossing Inventory about crossings through which they operate. For more information, see the FRA National Grade Crossing Inventory Reporting Regulations.

Emergency Notification Systems

The Federal Railroad Administration issued regulations under 49 CFR 234 Subpart E for Emergency Notification Systems (ENS). The ENS allows members of the public to contact the railroads responsible for the crossing and report an emergency or other unsafe condition at highway-rail and pathway crossings. The ENS consists of:

Signs, placed at each grade crossing, that display critical emergency contact information and identify specific crossings;
	A method for railroads to receive and document telephone calls reporting an unsafe condition;
	A way to track the remedial actions taken by the railroad; and
	Required recordkeeping.More information can be found on FRA's ENS webpage. The layout of Emergency Notification signs (sign I-13) for railroad grade crossings can be found in the FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices Standard Highway Signs
              
      
    
          Last updated: Saturday, December 30, 2023 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us