(Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office report, July 1, 2019)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Freight trains have been getting longer—nearly 3 miles in some cases. This has raised concerns that trains may block traffic more often at road-crossings, impeding emergency responders and prompting unsafe pedestrian behavior (such as climbing through stopped trains). Braking and other operations can also be more complex for these longer trains. The Federal Railroad Administration is studying potential safety risks and the best ways to operate longer trains. We recommended that FRA broadly share its research results, and work with railroads and state and local officials on ways to solve road-crossing issues.
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