The Federal Railroad Administration, together with states, developed model state legislation for use in developing bills to improve safety at highway-rail grade crossings without gates or barriers.

The model legislation is intended to help states address obstructions limiting a driver's view of an oncoming train. Between 2001 and 2005, accident reports submitted by railroads to FRA show that 689 collisions resulting in 242 injuries and 87 fatalities occurred at highway-rail grade crossings with sight obstructions. Development of the model state legislation was required by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008. The model legislation is available at http://www.fra.dot.gov/Pages/1730.shtml.