SF 2155 (LSB 5704XS (4) 83)

SENATE FILE 2155

BY  BEALL

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring the installation of switch targets at certain locations along railroad tracks and providing a penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  327F.15  Switch targets.
   1.  On or before June 30, 2012, the owner or operator of a railroad track located in this state shall install switch targets along main line tracks at locations lacking a signal system.
   a.  The targets shall measure twenty-four inches by twenty-four inches, shall be reflectorized, and shall be maintained so as to be visible for a distance of two thousand feet when illuminated by bright headlights.
   b.  The targets shall be designed to display green for movement along the main line and red for movement off the main line.
   2.  The department of transportation shall enforce the provisions of this section.
   3.  Failure to install targets or failure to properly maintain targets is a schedule three violation. Each day that a violation continues constitutes a separate violation.
EXPLANATION
   This bill requires the owner or operator of a railroad track to install switch targets along main line tracks at locations that do not have a signal system (known as “dark territory”). The bill specifies that the targets must be 24 inches by 24 inches square, with a reflective surface visible for a distance of 2,000 feet under bright headlights. The targets must signal green when the switch is set to the main line, and red for movement off the main line.
   The bill establishes a deadline of June 30, 2012, for installation of the switch targets. The department of transportation is required to enforce the new provisions. Failure to install or properly maintain the targets is a schedule three violation, which may result in a penalty of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 for each day the violation continues.