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Form a Business

RAILROAD OPERATION.

Austin City Code tit. 13, ch. 13-4, art. 1
in effect

Austin City Code § 13-4-1 SPEED LIMITS.

§ 13-4-1 - SPEED LIMITS. (A) A person may not operate a train at a speed that exceeds the lesser of: (1) the maximum speed prescribed by federal law; or (2) the speed that is reasonable and prudent for the track conditions, including the timing circuitry. (B) A person may not operate a train at a speed greater than 35 miles per hour through a grade crossing of a public street unless the crossing meets the requirements of this subsection. (1) The railroad company must adjust the track circuits so that a train approaching the crossing at maximum allowable speed activates automatic warning devices required by Section 13-4-24 (Automatic Warning Devices) at least 20 seconds before to the train enters the crossing. (2) The railroad company must install special warning signs at the crossing. Special warning signs must: (a) be at least two feet wide and two feet high; (b) have a reflective white background and a reflective red border at least one-half inch wide; (c) state "WARNING" in red lettering at least three inches high; (d) state "FAST TRAINS" in black lettering at least three inches high below the word "WARNING"; and (e) be installed: (i) below and on the same post with the standard advance warning sign; and (ii) on the flasher masts at the crossing. Source: 1992 Code Section 17-1-2; Ord. 031106-13; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 13-4-2 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CONGRESS AVENUE.

§ 13-4-2 - SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CONGRESS AVENUE. (A) This section applies to a railroad company that is responsible for a track that crosses Congress Avenue. (B) The railroad company shall place signs beside the track on each side of and within 40 feet of Congress in locations that are visible to a train's engineer. Each sign must be at least three feet wide and one and one-half feet high with "STOP" written in letters at least one foot high. (C) A train's engineer shall stop the train within 40 feet of Congress Avenue and give the usual and customary warning before crossing. (D) A person may not add a car to a train or remove a car from a train while the train is crossing Congress Avenue. Source: 1992 Code Section 17-1-4; Ord. 031106-13; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 13-4-3 MALFUNCTIONING WARNING DEVICE.

§ 13-4-3 - MALFUNCTIONING WARNING DEVICE. A railroad company that operates a track with a public street crossing that is equipped with an electronic or mechanical warning device shall: (1) provide the police chief with a telephone number that is continuously monitored by a person who can immediately respond to a report of a malfunctioning warning device; and (2) respond to a Police Department report of a malfunctioning warning device within three hours of the report by repairing the device or stationing a person at the crossing to warn drivers and pedestrians of the malfunctioning warning device. Source: 1992 Code Section 17-1-5; Ord. 031106-13; Ord. 031211-11.
Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT13TRSE_CH13-4RA_ART1RAOPFetched: 10/27/2026

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