District 2 Councilmember Files Council Consideration Request

Published on February 25, 2026

District 2 Councilmember Files Council Consideration Request To Create Real-Time Railroad Crossing Notification System

SAN ANTONIO (February 25, 2026) —Councilmember McKee-Rodriguez has formally filed a Council Consideration Request (CCR) seeking the development of a Real-Time Railroad Crossing Notification System to address persistent train blockages across San Antonio.

The Councilmember gave the following statement. “Too many residents find themselves stuck at railroad crossings without warning, forced into unsafe detours or late to work, school, and critical appointments. With today’s technology, we can do better. San Antonio has an opportunity to become a national leader by providing real-time railroad crossing information directly to drivers and first responders.

“San Antonio is one of the most rail-impacted cities in the country, with dozens of at-grade crossings, many located in historically underinvested neighborhoods, that regularly experience extended train stoppages. These blockages disrupt daily travel, increase traffic congestion, delay emergency response, heighten crash risk, and place disproportionate burdens on working families, transit riders, and small businesses.

“This is about safety, efficiency, and equity. By leveraging data and public-private partnerships, we can reduce congestion, improve emergency response, lower emissions, and ensure that residents, especially those in rail-adjacent communities, are not disproportionately impacted by long train blockages.

“Currently, drivers have no advance notice whether a train is approaching, actively crossing, or stopped on the tracks. Advances in sensor technology, GPS telemetry, geofencing, and real-time data sharing now make it possible to provide live crossing status updates through widely used navigation platforms.

“Other cities, including Houston, have begun exploring technology-enabled rail safety solutions such as Train Watch. The proposal seeks to go further by building coordinated partnerships with rail operators and integrating real-time data directly into navigation platforms such as Waze, Google Maps, and Apple Maps,” said the Councilmember.

The CCR requests City staff to explore and report back on the feasibility of developing a Real-Time Railroad Crossing Notification System, including:

Partnerships

• Engagement with Union Pacific and other relevant rail operators regarding data sharing, coordination, and pilot opportunities
• Collaboration with navigation and mapping platforms to make crossing information widely accessible
• Opportunities for partnership with local universities, technology firms, and transportation innovation partners

Technology & Infrastructure

• Assessment of sensors, GPS train telemetry, signal data, cameras, or other innovative tools to detect train presence, movement, and stoppages
• Evaluation of integration with existing City traffic management and emergency response systems
• Exploration of open-data or API-based solutions to push real-time alerts to drivers and first responders

Pilot Program

• Identification of high-impact corridors or crossings, particularly those with frequent blockages or emergency access concerns, for pilot deployment
• Evaluation of cost estimates, funding sources, and grant opportunities, including federal transportation safety and smart-city funding
• Establishment of measurable success metrics, including reduced delays, improved emergency response times, and improved safety outcomes

Equity & Community Impact

• Assessment of how the system could reduce disproportionate impacts in rail-adjacent neighborhoods
• Development of a community outreach and education plan to ensure residents understand and utilize the system

The CCR was signed by Councilmembers Dr. Sukh Kaur, Phyllis Viagran, Edward Mungia, and Teri Castillo. 

The proposal is anticipated to be added to an upcoming Governance Committee agenda for consideration.