Make a Complaint about a Train

Call 911.

Yes that's right, call 911. The 911 operator has the information to directly route a call to the proper contacts to get the road crossing unblocked. Tell the 911 dispatcher it is a non-emergency so they can call the proper contacts.

If you are having trouble with a train that routinely blocks a roadway for long periods of time but is not currently blocking a road you can call:

• Federal Railroad Administration Hot Line: (800) 724-5993

FRA recommends that railroads work cooperatively with state and local officials to eliminate or minimize the impact of blocked crossings wherever possible. Contact the Federal Railroad Administration to report the complaint.

There are no federal laws that regulate the length of time a train may block a grade crossing. Such a law could have the undesirable effect of causing a railroad to violate other federal safety rules.

Georgia § 46-8-197. Legal responsibility of member of train crew, yard crew, or engine crew for occupying or blocking street, road, or highway grade crossing pursuant to employer's order

No member of a train crew, yard crew, or engine crew of a railroad common carrier shall be held personally responsible under, or found guilty of violating, any state laws or municipal ordinances regulating or intended to regulate the occupying or blocking of any street, road, or highway grade crossing by engines or passenger or freight cars, upon reasonable proof by the crew member that the occupying or blocking of the grade crossing was necessary to comply with the orders or instructions, either written or oral, of his employer or of the officers or supervisory officials of the company owning the railroad over which the engine or cars are operated; provided, however, that this Code section shall not relieve the employer or railroad company from any responsibility placed upon such employee or railroad company by any such state laws or municipal ordinances.

Ga. Code Ann. § 46-8-197 (2012)

Federal Railroad Administration
61 Forsyth St SW
Suite 16T20
Atlanta, GA 30303-3104
Phone: (404) 562-3800
Hot Line: (800) 724-5993

For crossings located on public roads, the road owner/local government should be contacted and advised of your concerns. Any local government can negotiate directly with the railroad proper to achieve such closures. In fact the railroad companies along with other railroad interests and the Federal Railroad Administration began an initiative back in the early 1990s to close approximately 25% of all at-grade railroad crossings nationwide.

The Department, with a match from the corresponding railroad, can provide a monetary cash incentive of up to $7500 to a local government for the closure of a single crossing. With respect to private crossings, the Department is prohibited from participating in negotiations to close private crossings. Such negotiation should take place between the railroad and the property owner, directly.

You should also provide a map showing the exact location, Railroad Inventory Number (if known) and a photograph of the location you wish to be closed.

Georgia Department of Transportation
600 West Peachtree St, 10th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30308
Attn: Railroad Crossing Program Manager

The public authority in your area may establish a whistle ban or quiet zone by following the procedures established by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in the Train Horn Final Rule as amended on August 17, 2006 Ref: 49 CFR part 222.

Information on this procedure can be found at the FRA website at Train Horns and Quiet Zones or by contacting the GDOT Utilities Railroad Crossing Engineer.

No entity, public or private, is precluded from negotiating directly with the corresponding railroad to have train-activated warning devices installed at a particular crossing provided the requesting entity and/or the railroad are willing to fund the installation.

Crossings located on public roads are eligible for federal funding based on a priority basis. Crossings located on private property are not eligible and must be funded directly by the property owner and railroad.

Written requests for investigations on public roads should be sent to:

Georgia Department of Transportation
600 West Peachtree St, 10th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30308
Attn: Railroad Crossing Program Manager

O.C.G.A. Section 40-6-140 prohibits proceeding around lowered crossing gates. If gates are down, please call the 1-800 number provided at the crossing and notify the railroad of the situation. Then proceed to a different location to cross. If no number is provided, notify local law enforcement.

In accordance with O.C.G.A Section 40-6-140, a person shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail and shall not proceed until it is safe to do so, when:

• A clearly visible signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a train
• A crossing gate is lowered or a human flagman signals a train is coming
• An approaching train is plainly visible and in hazardous proximity

For rough crossings on city or county roads, contact the local government. If unresolved, the local government may appeal to GDOT. For crossings on state routes, complaints should be sent to the GDOT District Utilities Office with full details including contact info, location, and description of the issue.

See a list of Georgia railroad company contacts(PDF, 135KB).