U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Ohio and Pennsylvania Sens. Sherrod Brown, J.D. Vance, Bob Casey and John Fetterman, introduced a resolution designating September 23-29 as “Rail Safety Week.” The resolution outlines the need to reduce accidents and injuries at highway-rail crossings, prevent derailments and rail worker fatalities, and improve the safe transportation of hazardous materials.

“This important observance should lead to greater safety awareness and a reduction in highway-rail grade crossing collisions, derailments, rail worker fatalities, and other railroad incidents,” the senators said in the resolution. “Everyone is encouraged to take added caution as motorists or pedestrians approach tracks or trains.”

According to the resolution, approximately 96 percent of all rail-related fatalities last year were caused by highway-rail grade crossing and trespassing incidents. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the first-ever Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program, authored by Senator Cantwell, to deliver $3 billion over five years to help local communities construct highway-rail grade separation projects to eliminate crossings. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the first round of funding in 2023, delivering $570 million to address dangerous highway-rail crossings in 32 states, and more than $1.1 billion in funds will be awarded in the coming weeks.

“Class I freight railroads had the highest accident rate not at grade crossings in the past decade,” the resolution continued. “The February 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which resulted in the burning of 5 vinyl chloride tank cars and forced the evacuation of approximately 2,000 nearby residents, was a reminder of the risks posed by hazardous materials transportation.”

Awaiting a Senate vote, the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023 was introduced following the East Palestine derailment to strengthen rail safety requirements, improve train car inspections, increase standards for transporting hazardous materials, give more support to first responders and increase penalties on rail companies for wrongdoing. The bill was passed by the Senate Commerce Committee in May 2023 and was originally sponsored by Ohio and Pennsylvania Sens. Sherrod Brown, J.D. Vance, Bob Casey and John Fetterman.