(1) The department shall develop parameters for prioritizing the approval of funding applications for railroad crossing projects awarded under the local grade separation grant program created in section 11i. The parameters must give priority to railroad crossing projects that meet 1 or more of the following conditions, and must give a higher priority to railroad crossing projects that meet a higher number of the following conditions than competing railroad crossing projects:

    (a) Are within 5 miles of a railyard.

    (b) Are within 5 miles of a manufacturing facility.

    (c) Are within 5 miles of any of the following:

    (i) An adult assisted-living facility.

    (ii) A courthouse.

    (iii) Any facility where emergency medical service vehicles are housed for maintenance, operation, and dispatch.

    (iv) A fire station.

    (v) An international airport.

    (vi) A level I to level IV trauma center.

    (vii) A school.

    (d) Any other condition the department considers relevant.

    (2) Before awarding grants under the local grade separation grant program created in section 11i, the department must publish the parameters described in subsection (1) on the department’s website.

    (3) As used in this section, “railroad crossing project” means a project as described in section 11i(3)(a) or (b).