trackage and provision of related services. If, after a reasonable period of negotiation, a public transportation authority cannot reach agreement with a rail carrier to use trackage of, and have related services provided by, the rail carrier for purposes of commuter rail passenger transportation, the public transportation authority or the rail carrier may apply to the Board for nonbinding mediation. The Board shall conduct the nonbinding mediation in accordance with the mediation process of section 1109.4 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of the TRAIN Act . . 9402. Surface Transportation Board mediation of rights-of-way use requests Section 28503 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 28503. Surface Transportation Board mediation of rights-of-way use requests A rail carrier shall provide good faith consideration to a reasonable request from a provider of commuter rail passenger transportation for access to rail right-of-way for the construction and operation of a segregated fixed guideway facility. If, after a reasonable period of negotiation, a public transportation authority cannot reach agreement with a rail carrier to acquire an interest in a railroad right-of-way for the construction and operation of a segregated fixed guideway facility to provide commuter rail passenger transportation, the public transportation authority or the rail carrier may apply to the Board for nonbinding mediation. The Board shall conduct the nonbinding mediation in accordance with the mediation process of section 1109.4 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of the TRAIN Act . . V Rail Safety A Passenger and Freight Safety 9501. National Academies study on safety impact of trains longer than 7,500 feet (a) Study The Secretary of Transportation shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies to conduct a study and issue to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives