(a)
Pilot Programs.—
The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a pilot program to demonstrate an emergency notification system utilizing a toll free telephone number that the public can use to convey to railroad carriers, either directly or through public safety personnel, information about malfunctions or other safety problems at railroad-highway grade crossings. The pilot program, at a minimum—
(1)
shall include railroad-highway grade crossings in at least 2 States;
(2)
shall include provisions for public education and awareness of the program; and
(3)
shall require information to be posted at the railroad-highway grade crossing describing the emergency notification system and instructions on how to use the system.
The Secretary may, by grant, provide funding for the expense of information signs and public awareness campaigns necessary to demonstrate the notification system.