Title: FRA's Current Safety Regulations and Rulemaking Proceedings | US Department of Transportation
Headings: FRA's Current Safety Regulations and Rulemaking Proceedings
FRA's Current Safety Regulations and Rulemaking Proceedings
before the
FRA’s Railroad Safety Program
The National Rail Safety Action Plan
Reducing Train Accidents Caused by Human Factors
Improving Track Safety
Improving Hazardous Materials Safety and Emergency Response Capability
Strengthening FRA’s Safety Compliance Program
Passenger Rail Safety Initiatives
Collision Hazard Analysis
Report to Congress on Push-Pull Operations of Rail Passenger Trains
Passenger Safety Rulemakings
Passenger Safety Research and Development
Conclusion
APPENDIX
Witness:
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Content: These laws provide FRA, as the Secretary’s delegate, with very broad authority over “every area of railroad safety.” 49 U.S.C. 20103 (a). In exercising that authority, the agency has issued a wide range of safety regulations, which cover such topics as track, passenger equipment, locomotives, freight cars, power brakes, locomotive event recorders, signal and train control systems, maintenance of active warning devices at highway-rail grade crossings, accident reporting, alcohol and drug testing, protection of roadway workers, operating rules and practices, locomotive engineer certification, positive train control, and use of train horns at grade crossings. FRA currently has active rulemaking projects on a number of important safety topics, many of which will be described later in this testimony. In addition, FRA enforces in the rail mode of transportation the Hazardous Materials Regulations, which are promulgated by DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). FRA has an authorized inspection staff of about 400 persons nationwide, distributed across its eight regions. In addition, about 160 inspectors employed by the approximately 30 States that participate in FRA’s State participation program inspect for compliance with the rail safety laws. Each inspector is an expert in one of five safety disciplines: Track; Signal and Train Control;