---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 212.231"
title: "49"
number: "212.231"
heading: "Grade crossing and trespasser outreach inspector."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/212.231"
---

# §212.231. Grade crossing and trespasser outreach inspector.

- (a) The grade crossing and trespasser outreach inspector is required, at a minimum, to be able to conduct independent inspections of all types of highway-rail grade crossing warning systems for the purpose of determining compliance with Grade Crossing Signal System Safety Rules ([49 CFR part 234](/cfr/49/part234.md)), to make reports of those inspections, and to recommend enforcement actions when appropriate.
- (b) The grade crossing and trespasser outreach inspector is required, at a minimum, to have at least four years of recent experience in highway-rail grade crossing construction or maintenance. A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical specialization may be substituted for two of the four years of this experience requirement. Successful completion of an apprentice training program under [§ 212.233](/cfr/49/212.233.md) may be substituted for the four years of this experience requirement.
- (c) The grade crossing and trespasser outreach inspector shall demonstrate the following specific qualifications:
  - (1) A comprehensive knowledge of highway-rail grade crossing nomenclature, inspection techniques, maintenance requirements, and methods;
  - (2) **The ability to understand and detect deviations from—**
    - (i) Grade crossing signal system maintenance, inspection and testing standards accepted in the industry; and
    - (ii) The Grade Crossing Signal System Safety Rules ([49 CFR part 234](/cfr/49/part234.md));
  - (3) Knowledge of operating practices and highway-rail grade crossing systems sufficient to understand the safety significance of deviations and combinations of deviations from [§ 212.231(c)(2)](#c-2) (i) and (ii);
  - (4) Specialized knowledge of the requirements of the Grade Crossing Signal System Safety Rules ([49 CFR part 234](/cfr/49/part234.md)), including the remedial action required to bring highway-rail grade crossing signal systems into compliance with those Rules;
  - (5) Specialized knowledge of highway-rail grade crossing standards contained in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices; and
  - (6) Knowledge of railroad signal systems sufficient to ensure that highway-rail grade crossing warning systems and inspections of those systems do not adversely affect the safety of railroad signal systems.
- (d) A State S&TC inspector qualified under this part and who has demonstrated the ability to understand and detect deviations from the Grade Crossing Signal System Safety Rules ([49 CFR part 234](/cfr/49/part234.md)) is deemed to meet all requirements of this section and is qualified to conduct independent inspections of all types of highway-rail grade crossing warning systems for the purpose of determining compliance with Grade Crossing Signal System Safety Rules ([49 CFR part 234](/cfr/49/part234.md)), to make reports of those inspections, and to recommend enforcement actions when appropriate.

## Notes

### Amendments

[59 FR 50104, Sept. 30, 1994, as amended at 90 FR 28133, July 1, 2025]

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 20103, 20105, 20106, and 20113, and 49 CFR 1.89.

### Source

Source: 47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[59 FR 50104, Sept. 30, 1994, as amended at 90 FR 28133, July 1, 2025]