WHISTLE POST SIGNS H.B. 5766 (H-1):
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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House Bill 5766 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Kate Ebli
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Transportation
Date Completed: 12-3-08
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Railroad Code to require a railroad corporation to place whistle post signs to the right of the main track in the direction of approach exactly one-quarter of a mile from the entrance to any grade crossings, to notify locomotive engineers who blow a whistle and ring a bell as the locomotive approaches the grade crossing as a warning to the public.
The whistle post signs would have to consist of a "W" identifiable on a square plate mounted on a post, and would have to be visible to a locomotive engineer within the locomotive cab, kept in good repair, and replaced promptly when necessary.
The bill would not apply to a grade crossing located in a quiet zone as that term is defined in Federal regulation 49 CFR 222.9, i.e., a segment of a rail line that contains one or more consecutive public highway-rail crossings at which locomotive horns are not routinely sounded.
Proposed MCL 462.318 Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Debra Hollon
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. hb5766/0708