Rail

Hartford, CT – Two U.S. senators have unveiled wide-ranging legislation aimed at improving rail safety after a series of high-profile incidents in recent years.

Washington – The Federal Railroad Administration has provided a boost to the development of a Short Line Rail Safety Institute by awarding a pair of grants totaling $350,000.

Washington – The Federal Railroad Administration issued a series of amendments to its requirements for Positive Train Control systems in a final rule published in the Aug. 22 Federal Register.

Washington – A proposed rule from the Federal Railroad Administration would expand the scope of alcohol and drug regulations to cover employees who perform maintenance-of-way activities, which include the inspection, installation, repair and maintenance of track or roadbed.

Washington – The Department of Transportation has announced a notice of proposed rulemaking intended to improve safe rail transportation of crude oil, ethanol and other flammable materials.

Washington – The Department of Transportation’s National Freight Advisory Committee recently submitted recommendations to Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx for improving the national freight system.

Washington – The Federal Railroad Administration should no longer exempt commuter railroads from individual inspections of their most highly used tracks, the National Transportation Safety Board urged in a recommendation issued May 19.

Washington – Two senators from the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee are urging the the Department of Transportation to increase the safety resources it provides to short-line railroads – many of which feed shipments of volatile crude oil and other hazardous materials to larger railroads.

Washington – In response to recent fatigue-related crashes involving the Metro-North Commuter Railroad, members of the House introduced a bill on May 6 intended to help reduce fatigue among workers in the rail industry.

Washington – Shippers transporting large quantities of crude oil from the Bakken Formation must inform state authorities about their expected routes under a May 7 Emergency Order from the Department of Transportation.