Highway-rail grade crossings are safer than ever, but collisions between motor vehicles
and trains persist. Some collisions could be prevented by actively maintaining such grade
crossings, yet many at-grade rail crossings are only evaluated following collisions. Those
crossings that experience no collisions may go decades without being inspected. In recent years,
the Congress has allocated funds for a national High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program,
and it is in the public’s interest for state road/highway agencies to inspect all highway-rail
crossings in high-speed rail corridors to ensure that the warning systems in place are
commensurate with the crossings’ needs.