The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved an agreement under which sensors will be placed at railroad crossings to reduce traffic as well as dangerous interactions with trains.

“This is the first time that this system is being introduced in the state of Alabama, and we are eagerly looking forward to the results it will bring,” Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander said. “We are very excited about the technology being utilized.”

Under the three-year agreement, Alabama Power Co. will provide power and cell equipment needed to operate Traininfo sound sensors. According to city officials, these devices will help alert the public of blocked train crossings through apps such as Google Maps and Waze.

The city will kick in $10,000 for the project.

The systems will be installed at three intersections, at Pearson Avenue/Jefferson Avenue, 31st Street SW/Cleburne Avenue and 24th Street SW.

The agreement comes after the council voted April 1 to approve a cost-sharing agreement with Norfolk Southern to install equipment to prevent motorists from trying to beat trains through intersections once gates are down.

In 2023, Alabama reported 83 collisions at rail crossings, resulting in 33 injuries and nine fatalities, according to the Alabama Department of Transportation.