Title 49, TransportationRelease 119-102

§20159 Roadway User Sight Distance at Highway-rail Grade Crossings

Title 49 › SUBTITLE V — RAIL PROGRAMS › PART A — SAFETY › CHAPTER 201 — GENERAL › SUBCHAPTER II — PARTICULAR ASPECTS OF SAFETY › § 20159

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Within 18 months after enactment of the 2008 Rail Safety Improvement Act, Secretary must consult FRA, FHWA, States and provide model legislation to address sight obstructions at highway-rail crossings with passive warnings (Report No. MH–2007–044).

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §20159

Transportation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, the Secretary of Transportation, after consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, and States, shall develop and make available to States model legislation providing for improving safety by addressing sight obstructions, including vegetation growth, topographic features, structures, and standing railroad equipment, at highway-rail grade crossings that are equipped solely with passive warnings, as recommended by the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation in Report No. MH–2007–044.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, referred to in text, is the date of enactment of div. A of Pub. L. 110–432, which was approved Oct. 16, 2008.

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–94 substituted “the Secretary of Transportation” for “the Secretary”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2015 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 20159

Title 49, Transportation

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102