IN SUPPORT OF RELIEF FROM RAILROAD CONGESTION IN OUR NATION’S CITIES

            WHEREAS, long cargo and passenger trains frequently block crossings within urban areas, sometimes in excess of 20 minutes; and

            WHEREAS, many states and municipalities have ordinances which limit the amount of time a crossing has been blocked, but those laws are preempted by Federal law; and

            WHEREAS, when crossings are blocked for an excessive amount of time, commerce is impacted as people are unable to get to work on time, deliveries are delayed, and businesses have to absorb these costs; and

            WHEREAS, when crossings are blocked for an excessive amount of time, pedestrians and cyclists may attempt to unsafely cross the train tracks, creating a dangerous situation; and

            WHEREAS, when crossings are blocked for an excessive amount of time, the health and safety of the public is affected as emergency services may be unable to get to the scene of an emergency and victims being transported by ambulance are delayed in reaching a hospital; and

            WHEREAS, when crossings are blocked for an excessive amount of time, local and regional bus carriers and their customers are impacted when schedules are delayed; and

            WHEREAS, when crossings are blocked for an excessive amount of time, fuel is wasteland emissions are increased as vehicles wait at the blocked crossings,

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors encourages the U.S. railroad industry to work with local and state governments to implement more common-sense procedures to reduce railroad congestion in urban areas; and

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors calls on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to assist the nation’s cities with devising policies that reduce railroad congestion in urban areas; and

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors calls on Congress to consider passing legislation that would allow states and municipalities time of crossings on streets and arterials.