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It's official. The Federal Railroad Administration has issued its final rule on reflectorization, which requires railroads to install reflective materials on the sides of locomotives and freight cars to make trains more visible to motorists at grade crossings.

Beginning March 4, railroads must install yellow or white reflective materials on locomotives within five years and on cars within 10 years. Roads will be required to install the materials on all new locomotives and cars, and on existing rolling stock during periodic maintenance or repairs unless they implement alternate plans that meet the FRA's requisite timetables.

Nearly 25 percent of all crossing accidents involve motor vehicles colliding with trains, according to FRA statistics. The administration previously issued a regulation requiring railroads to install headlamps and auxiliary lights on locomotives to help motorists better judge an approaching train's distance and speed.