Texans reported more than 6,300 blocked railroad crossings in the last year, outpacing all other states by fourfold.
More than 90% of the blocked crossings reported to the Federal Railroad Administration were caused by stationary trains, with just over 6% caused by moving trains and nearly 3% caused by activated lights/gates when no train was present. Texas has about 15,000 crossings, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, more than any other state.
Average train length has increased over time, with many trains now stretching on for two or three miles as railroads look to increase efficiency through a practice known as precision-scheduled railroading. Blocked crossings have led to increased risks as frustrated pedestrians attempt to climb on, over or through stationary train cars, an incident observed in nearly 27% of blocked Texas crossings in the past year.
Blocked crossings can prevent first responders, delivery drivers and commuters from reaching their destination. Drivers have reported trains parked for hours delaying school buses and postal deliveries, blocking access to a section of town or preventing bicycle crossings in freezing weather. Many reports say the blockings occur daily.
“This crossing is blocked several times a day from 15 minutes to two hours,” one reporter wrote of a crossing in Sweetwater. Another in Saginaw reported a train so long that it blocked a crossing a half-mile away, preventing east and west traffic movement for miles.
“Both crossings to get out of our neighborhood are blocked at the same time,” a Haslet resident reported. “If there was an emergency someone would die waiting for help.”
There are no laws in place to limit how long trains can block crossings.
The number of blocked crossings is likely underreported since some drivers and pedestrians might be unaware of the federal reporting system, or may reach out to the railroads directly.
Several efforts are underway to address the safety issues of at-grade crossings. Texas was awarded more than $86 million in funds from the federal Rail Crossing Elimination Grant Program in 2022. The grants fund projects that will create separations like overpasses and underpasses and other measures to improve safety at crossings.
To report a blocked crossing, visit the Federal Railroad Administration’s website. Union Pacific, which was the top-reported railroad by far for blocked crossings, directs customers to report emergencies at 1-888-877-7267. Other railroads vary in how the public can reach them, so check online.