RAILROAD TRAFFIC CONTROL COSTS - H.B. 4234: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bill 4234 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Jason Allen
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Transportation and Tourism
Date Completed: 3-20-01
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Railroad Code to increase the amounts that a road authority must pay annually to a railroad for maintenance for each crossing with active traffic control devices not covered by existing or future railroad-road authority agreements. The bill also would require that by January 1, 2010, and every 10 years thereafter, the Department of Transportation complete a study to determine the maintenance cost of active traffic control devices and forward a copy of the study to the members of Senate and House committees that consider railroad legislation. (The Code had required a study, as described above, to have been completed by January 1, 1999.)
The bill would increase the annual contributions of a road authority as follows:
Current | Proposed | For |
$580 | $760 | Flashing signals on a single track |
$520 | $895 | Flashing signals with cantilever arm on a single track |
$1,040 | $1,215 | Flashing signals with cantilever arm with gates on a single track |
$940 | $1,230 | Flashing signals and gates on multiple tracks |
$1,150 | $1,630 | Flashing signals with cantilever arms and gates on a multiple track |
$750 | $830 | Flashing signals and gates on a single track |
The bill also would require a road authority to pay annually to a railroad $725 for flashing signals on a multiple track, and $1,005 for flashing signals with cantilever arms on a multiple track.
("Active traffic control device" means traffic control devices located at or in advance of grade crossings, activated by the approach or presence of a train, such as flashing light signals, automatic gates and similar devices, manually operated devices, and a crossing watchperson, all of which display to operators of approaching vehicles positive warning of the approach or presence of a train.)
MCL 462.315 - Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim
FISCAL IMPACT
The Michigan Department of Transportation would experience increased costs associated with the increase in contributions that road agencies have to make to the railroads for maintenance of equipment at each crossing with active traffic control devices. The Department reports costs under the current provision at $36,850 in 1998 and $28,192 in 1999 and anticipates an increase of around 23% as a result of the provisions in the bill. The State also would experience increased costs as a result of the required study. The recently completed study cost $120,000, according to the Department.
Local road agencies also would experience similar cost increases resulting from the change in the amount of contributions required. It is unknown at this time how much local agencies pay to railroads to maintain active traffic control equipment.
- Fiscal Analyst: C. ThielS0102\s4234sa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.