Federal Railroad Administration Renews Call To Improve Safety At Crossings

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Federal Railroad Administration is renewing its call for states to improve safety at railroad crossings.

The FRA is asking states to revisit 2010 safety recommendations about warning signs, traffic lights and event recorders at rail crossings.

New York State Sen. David Carlucci welcomes the effort.

He's pushing a bill that would create an inventory of all rail crossings in the state.

"We should be proactive, we should know which are the most dangerous rail crossings," Carlucci told WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini. "We have over 5,000 rail crossings in New York and some are dangerous, some are not, but right now we're really flying in the dark when it comes to which rail crossings need immediate attention."

The FRA made its call in a letter sent to state Departments of Transportation.

Carlucci says it assures there's available funding for improvements.

"They're willing to provide resources but we have to give them the plan of action," Carlucci said.