The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities is considering ways to “improve the safety of railroads, with a focus on Grade Crossings in the Commonwealth.” The DPU has issued an order for new safety rules.
Rising DPU Incident Data Highlights Urgency
“In 2024, there were 16 incidents at Grade Crossings in Massachusetts (four resulted in injuries and no fatalities),” according to the DPU. “In 2025, there were 25 incidents at Grade Crossings (four resulted in injuries and five resulted in fatalities).”
DPU said “there were a number of near-miss incidents and reports of safety concerns at Grade Crossings made to the Department, which underscores the necessity of improving the safety at Grade Crossings in Massachusetts through these proposed regulations.”
South Coast Rail Expansion Brings New Realities
On March 24, 2025, South Coast Rail began rolling into New Bedford and Fall River, prompting warnings from state officials to locals, most of whom had never experienced high-speed commuter trains before in their cities.
State Officials Detail Diagnostic Team Oversight
Springfield-based WWLP-TV quoted DPU Commissioner Staci Ruben: “As freight and passenger rail expands in Massachusetts, we want to strengthen our ability to identify and address safety concerns before they happen.”
“These regulations would create a diagnostic team process led by the DPU’s skilled rail engineers that would improve our ability to identify and address safety concerns and create a more transparent process for making safety improvements,” Ruben said.
Download the WFHN Mobile App Now
The department plans public hearings later this month in Boston and Springfield on the proposed rules…