Blocked Rail Crossings and Their Impact

Blocked railroad crossings are more than just an inconvenience—they’re a growing challenge for communities across the country. Long trains, crew changes, and mechanical issues can keep crossings closed for extended periods, disrupting traffic, delaying emergency response, and frustrating commuters.

The result:

 ✓ Traffic backups and congestion

 ✓ Slower emergency response times

 ✓ Increased safety risks for drivers and pedestrians.

In 2024, more than 26,000 reports of blocked crossings were submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)—a clear sign of how widespread and persistent the problem has become. Yet there is no national system for tracking or addressing these blockages, leaving local governments with limited data and few tools to respond effectively.

Challenges

✓ Expensive solutions that require significant engineering and/or power connections

✓ Lack of data from the railroads on schedules or advanced warning systems of blockages

✓ State or local government’s ability to fine for lengthy blockages negated by court cases.