An Act relative to commuter rail pedestrian safety

SD 1541 requires the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to upgrade all commuter rail station grade crossings to active safety systems. It mandates four specific safety features: four quadrant gates or gate skirts (additional barriers), clear signage directing pedestrians, signalized visual warnings, and channelization to guide pedestrians and assist those with vision impairments. The bill prohibits passive crossings without these measures and directs the MBTA to submit a compliance plan within 120 days to state transportation officials and legislative committees. This directly affects commuters and pedestrians using MBTA commuter rail stations across Massachusetts.