
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 49USC20152]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                        SUBTITLE V--RAIL PROGRAMS
 
                             PART A--SAFETY
 
                          CHAPTER 201--GENERAL
 
               SUBCHAPTER II--PARTICULAR ASPECTS OF SAFETY
 
Sec. 20152. Emergency notification of grade crossing problems

    (a) Pilot Programs.--The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a 
pilot program to demonstrate an emergency notification system utilizing 
a toll free telephone number that the public can use to convey to 
railroad carriers, either directly or through public safety personnel, 
information about malfunctions or other safety problems at railroad-
highway grade crossings. The pilot program, at a minimum--
        (1) shall include railroad-highway grade crossings in at least 2 
    States;
        (2) shall include provisions for public education and awareness 
    of the program; and
        (3) shall require information to be posted at the railroad-
    highway grade crossing describing the emergency notification system 
    and instructions on how to use the system.

The Secretary may, by grant, provide funding for the expense of 
information signs and public awareness campaigns necessary to 
demonstrate the notification system.
    (b) Report.--The Secretary shall complete the pilot program not 
later than 24 months after November 2, 1994, and shall submit to the 
Congress not later than 30 months after November 2, 1994, an evaluation 
of the pilot program, together with findings as to the effectiveness of 
such emergency notification systems. The report shall compare and 
contrast the structure, cost, and effectiveness of the pilot program 
with other emergency notification systems in effect within other States. 
Such evaluation shall include analyses of the safety benefits derived 
from the programs, cost effectiveness, and the burdens on participants, 
including railroad carriers and law enforcement personnel.

(Added Pub. L. 103-440, title III, Sec. 301(a), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 
4626; amended Pub. L. 104-287, Sec. 5(50), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 
3393.)


                               Amendments

    1996--Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104-287 substituted ``November 2, 1994'' 
for ``the date of enactment of this section'' and ``November 2, 1994, an 
evaluation'' for ``that date an evaluation''.
