Florida SB 1310: Railroad Crossing Safety

Bill Text

1310 
Railroad Crossing Safety 
2026-02-11T05:43:48Z 
Requiring the Department of Transportation to conduct a statewide study on the use of advanced detection and monitoring systems at public railroad-highway grade crossings; authorizing the department to consult with certain persons and entities in conducting the study, etc. 
Committee Substitute 1 
2026 
S 
2026-07-01T00:00:00Z 
GB 
General Bill 
c1 

 Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1310 

 By the Committee on Transportation; and Senator Rodriguez 

 596-02684-26 20261310c1 
 1 A bill to be entitled 
 2 An act relating to railroad crossing safety; creating 
 3 s. 351.38, F.S.; providing legislative findings and 
 4 intent; defining terms; requiring the Department of 
 5 Transportation to conduct a statewide study on the use 
 6 of advanced detection and monitoring systems at public 
 7 railroad-highway grade crossings; providing 
 8 requirements for such study; authorizing the 
 9 department to consult with certain persons and 
 10 entities in conducting the study; requiring the 
 11 department to submit a report to the Governor and the 
 12 Legislature by a specified date; providing 
 13 requirements for such report; providing an effective 
 14 date. 
 15 
 16 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 
 17 
 18 Section 1. Section 351.38, Florida Statutes, is created to 
 19 read: 
 20 351.38 Railroad crossing safety technology study.— 
 21 (1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.— 
 22 (a) The Legislature finds that improving safety at railroad 
 23 crossings is critical to protecting the lives of pedestrians, 
 24 motorists, railway workers, and the general public. Advanced 
 25 detection and monitoring systems using such technologies as 
 26 sensors, high-resolution cameras, and data analytics may provide 
 27 a reliable means to enhance situational awareness and reduce 
 28 collisions at railroad crossings. 
 29 (b) The Legislature further finds that additional analysis 
 30 is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, costs, 
 31 and implementation considerations of such systems. 
 32 (c) It is the intent of the Legislature to direct the 
 33 Department of Transportation to study the technologies 
 34 referenced in paragraph (a) before considering any statewide 
 35 requirements for their deployment. 
 36 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 
 37 (a) “Advanced detection and monitoring system” means a 
 38 system capable of detecting and classifying objects, such as 
 39 pedestrians, vehicles, or other obstructions at or approaching a 
 40 railroad crossing, using technologies including, but not limited 
 41 to, sensors, cameras, and data analytics. 
 42 (b) “Hazard assessment” means the process of analyzing 
 43 detected objects or conditions to determine whether a potential 
 44 safety risk exists at a railroad crossing. 
 45 (c) “Public railroad-highway grade crossing” has the same 
 46 meaning as provided in s. 335.141(1)(b). 
 47 (3) STUDY.— 
 48 (a) The Department of Transportation shall conduct a 
 49 statewide study on the use of advanced detection and monitoring 
 50 systems at public railroad-highway grade crossings in this 
 51 state. 
 52 (b) The study must include, but is not limited to, an 
 53 analysis of all of the following: 
 54 1. Available and emerging advanced detection and monitoring 
 55 technologies applicable to railroad crossings. 
 56 2. The effectiveness of such technologies in improving 
 57 safety outcomes, including collision prevention and hazard 
 58 mitigation, based on available data from pilot programs, 
 59 deployments in other jurisdictions, or academic research. 
 60 3. Technical and operational considerations, including 
 61 interoperability with existing railroad safety systems and 
 62 operating protocols. 
 63 4. Costs associated with the deployment of advanced 
 64 detection and monitoring systems, including installation, 
 65 operation, maintenance, and long-term lifecycle costs. 
 66 5. Potential funding mechanisms, including federal funds, 
 67 state funds, grants, or public-private partnerships. 
 68 6. Criteria for identifying higher-risk railroad crossings 
 69 where such technologies may provide the greatest safety benefit. 
 70 7. Legal, regulatory, and operational considerations 
 71 related to the deployment and oversight of advanced detection 
 72 and monitoring systems. 
 73 8. The respective roles of the state, local governments, 
 74 and railroad owners in the implementation of such systems. 
 75 (4) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study, the department 
 76 may consult with, as appropriate, any of the following: 
 77 (a) Railroad owners and railroad industry representatives. 
 78 (b) Local governments with jurisdiction over public 
 79 railroad-highway grade crossings. 
 80 (c) Transportation safety experts and academic 
 81 institutions. 
 82 (d) Federal agencies or national organizations with 
 83 expertise in railroad safety. 
 84 (5) REPORT.—By Decem