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HD 76

An Act establishing school zones for locomotives

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Marcus Vaughn

Allows cities to set locomotive school zones with up to 20 mph, require railroad cooperation and MUTCD-compliant signs, and local funding before zones take effect.

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Bill Summary · HD 76

Summary: An Act establishing school zones for locomotives (HD 76)

Overview

This proposed Massachusetts bill would authorize cities and towns to designate school zones for locomotives operating on railroad tracks within their borders and to set a maximum locomotive speed of 20 miles per hour in those zones. The measure aims to enhance safety near schools by regulating locomotive operations in designated areas, with implementation requirements tied to state guidance and railroad cooperation.

What the bill would do

  • Add a new Section 19A to Chapter 160 of the General Laws. This section allows municipalities to designate designated school zones for passenger and freight locomotive engines and to set a speed limit of up to 20 mph within those zones.
  • Require municipalities to:
    • Notify any railroad corporation with a railroad through the designated zone of the designation and speed limit.
    • Erect signs indicating the designation and speed limit in a manner consistent with the Department of Transportation’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the department’s sample regulation for a standard municipal traffic code.
    • Jointly designate the points where signage will be placed, in coordination with the affected railroad corporations (including the MBTA).
    • Bear the cost of erecting and maintaining the signs.
  • Prohibit railroad corporations from allowing locomotives to operate at speeds greater than the posted limit within a designated school zone.

Key provisions and details

  • Speed limit in zones: not to exceed 20 mph.
  • Signage requirements: signs must conform to MUTCD standards and be placed at points jointly designated by the department and the railroad companies.
  • Effective date: designation and speed limit become effective only after the city or town notifies the railroad and erects the required signs.
  • Scope: Applies to locomotives operating on railroads within a city or town, covering both passenger and freight trains.

Affected parties

  • Municipalities (cities and towns) that operate or have rail corridors through their borders.
  • Railroad corporations that operate passenger or freight service through designated zones (including MBTA).
  • Department of Transportation (MassDOT) for guidance on signage standards.
  • Local taxpayers, who would fund sign erection and maintenance.

Implementation and timeline

  • The bill creates a framework for municipalities to establish school zones; it does not specify a statewide rollout timeline beyond the requirement that zones become effective only after signage and notification are completed.
  • Potential phased adoption dependent on local action and railroad coordination.

Fiscal impact

  • Local governments would incur costs to erect and maintain signs within designated zones.
  • The bill does not specify state funding or reimbursement provisions.

Legislative context

  • Bill: House Docket No. 76 (House, No. 3798), introduced January 3, 2025.
  • Similar matter previously filed (2023-2024 as House No. 3462).
  • Status not stated in the provided excerpt; enacted content is proposed for the 2025–2026 session.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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