Oklahoma DOT solicits input on rail crossing safety plan

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is seeking public input on its Oklahoma Highway-Rail Grade Crossing State Action Plan, which helps identify best practices for improving grade crossing safety.

Comments may be provided through an online survey, which closes Jan. 6, 2022, ODOT officials said in a press release.

The action plan will include a review of key crossing risk factors and identify crossings where crashes have occurred within the past five years. Oklahoma has 3,450 public grade crossings.

ODOT has spent more than $100 million in grade crossing improvements and safety initiatives since 2016.

"Collaboration and involvement with the community is essential for the needs identified in the state action plan to not only improve highway-rail grade crossing safety statewide, but also for them to be implemented and be effective,” said Jared Schwennesen, ODOT's multimodal division manager.