Read the full stored bill text
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:
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351.38 Railroad crossing safety technology study.—
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(1)
LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.—
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(a)
The Legislature finds that improving safety at railroad
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crossings is critical to protecting the lives of pedestrians,
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motorists, railway workers, and the general public. Advanced
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detection and monitoring systems using such technologies as
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sensors, high-resolution cameras, and data analytics may provide
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a reliable means to enhance situational awareness and reduce
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collisions at railroad crossings.
29
(b)
The Legislature further finds that additional analysis
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is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, costs,
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and implementation considerations of such systems.
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(c)
It is the intent of the Legislature to direct the
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Department of Transportation to study the technologies
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referenced in paragraph (a) before considering any statewide
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requirements for their deployment.
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(2)
DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
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(a)
“Advanced detection and monitoring system” means a
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system capable of detecting and classifying objects, such as
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pedestrians, vehicles, or other obstructions at or approaching a
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railroad crossing, using technologies including, but not limited
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to, sensors, cameras, and data analytics.
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(b)
“Hazard assessment” means the process of analyzing
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detected objects or conditions to determine whether a potential
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safety risk exists at a railroad crossing.
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(c)
“Public railroad-highway grade crossing” has the same
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meaning as provided in s. 335.141(1)(b).
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(3)
STUDY.—
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(a)
The Department of Transportation shall conduct a
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statewide study on the use of advanced detection and monitoring
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systems at public railroad-highway grade crossings in this
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state.
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(b)
The study must include, but is not limited to, an
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analysis of all of the following:
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1.
Available and emerging advanced detection and monitoring
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technologies applicable to railroad crossings.
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2.
The effectiveness of such technologies in improving
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safety outcomes, including collision prevention and hazard
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mitigation, based on available data from pilot programs,
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deployments in other jurisdictions, or academic research.
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3.
Technical and operational considerations, including
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interoperability with existing railroad safety systems and
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operating protocols.
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4.
Costs associated with the deployment of advanced
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detection and monitoring systems, including installation,
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operation, maintenance, and long-term lifecycle costs.
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5.
Potential funding mechanisms, including federal funds,
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state funds, grants, or public-private partnerships.
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6.
Criteria for identifying higher-risk railroad crossings
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where such technologies may provide the greatest safety benefit.
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7.
Legal, regulatory, and operational considerations
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related to the deployment and oversight of advanced detection
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and monitoring systems.
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8.
The respective roles of the state, local governments,
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and railroad owners in the implementation of such systems.
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(4)
CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study, the department
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may consult with, as appropriate, any of the following:
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(a)
Railroad owners and railroad industry representatives.
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(b)
Local governments with jurisdiction over public
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railroad-highway grade crossings.
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(c)
Transportation safety experts and academic
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institutions.
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(d)
Federal agencies or national organizations with
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expertise in railroad safety.
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(5)
REPORT.—By December 1, 2026, the department shall
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submit a report of its findings and any recommendations to the
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Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
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House of Representatives. The report may include policy
88
recommendations for legislative consideration, but may not
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recommend or require the mandatory installation or upgrade of
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railroad crossings.
91 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.