Rail

Seattle — Public train and bus operators face secondhand exposure from passenger drug use, potentially affecting their physical and mental health, according to a new report.

Washington — The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has extended until Oct. 27 the comment period on a proposed rule that would require railroads to maintain and update hazardous material shipment information.

Washington — The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is set to publish a proposed rule that would require railroads to maintain and update information about hazardous material shipments.

Washington — Alarmed by a recent spike in assaults against transit workers, the Federal Transit Authority is proposing a rule designed to protect workers and passengers.

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration is making available $5 million in grants for the creation of a rail research and development Center of Excellence.

Washington — Although recent technologies can improve train handling and fuel efficiency, “they cannot replace the need for correct car placement and assembly,” the Federal Railroad Administration says in a recent safety advisory.

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration has scheduled a special meeting of its Railroad Safety Advisory Committee, to focus on the recent freight train derailment in East Palestine, OH.

Washington — Spurred by the Feb. 3 train derailment and fire in East Palestine, OH, the freight rail industry says it’s taking several “initial steps” to improve safety.

Washington — The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is alerting hazmat rail tank car owners and others of “the potential for certain manway assemblies with aluminum protective housing covers to melt when exposed to extreme heat.”

Washington — In response to an incident involving the unintended release of a train’s automatic air brakes while stopped at a signal, the Federal Railroad Administration has issued a safety advisory.