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Federal Railroad Administration

The May 11 hearing, “Getting Back on Track: Exploring Rail Supply Chain Resilience and Challenges,” was led by Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Tex.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
May 12, 2023|Regulatory

For House Rail Subcommittee, an Earful on Supply Chain Improvements

The rail industry’s role in overcoming supply chain challenges was the theme of a May 11 hearing of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and…
The CTA Board on May 10 signed off on an ordinance that makes permanent recent part-time student and tiered-pricing pilot programs for the agency’s U-Pass Program. (CTA Photograph Courtesy of the Federal Transit Administration)
May 11, 2023|Passenger

Transit Briefs: CTA, Metrolinx, Washington Union Station

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) makes permanent two discounted fare-pass programs for students at participating high-education institutions, and releases its monthly service/operations “scorecard.” Also, Ricardo will provide safety assessment support for…
May 11, 2023|Regulatory

FRA Safety Bulletin Aims to Increase Awareness of Hand-Operated Main Track Switches

Following a train collision that occurred on April 16 involving a misaligned switch, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has released a Safety Bulletin to remind railroads about ways to “ensure…
May 10, 2023|Regulatory

FRA Issues FY22 Safety Enforcement Report

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has released its annual enforcement report, summarizing regulatory compliance inspections and audits conducted in the past fiscal year by FRA or state inspectors participating in…
“The Interstate Rail Compacts Program will facilitate multi-state partnerships to bring world-class passenger rail to more communities while supporting the long-term growth of America’s rail network,” FRA Administrator Amit Bose said.
May 8, 2023|Regulatory

FRA: Grant Applications Welcome for IRC Program

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on May 8 reported that $5.8 million in competitive grant funding is available to help states advance intercity passenger rail through the new Interstate Rail…
(BRC Photograph)
May 8, 2023|Regulatory

BRC Eyes C3RS Participation

The Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC) is seeking to join the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) voluntary confidential program (C3RS) that allows railroads and their employees to report close calls.
April 27, 2023|Regulatory

FRA Safety Advisory: ‘Train Length a Critical Factor’

The Federal Railroad Administration on April 27 issued Safety Advisory 2023-03, Accident Mitigation and Train Length, “to increase awareness of the potential complexities associated with operating longer trains, and push…
April 27, 2023|Freight Cars

Your Questions Answered: DOT-111 Ethanol Phase-Out

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have released a “Frequently Asked Questions” document on implementing the upcoming phase-out of DOT-111 specification tank…
Commentary
April 23, 2023|Freight

WHITE PAPER: Management of In-Train Forces – Challenges and Directions, First Addendum

The June 2022 White Paper supplemented here was devoted to “management of in-train forces.” This is an issue for trains of virtually all lengths and tonnages, but longer trains present…
Chuck Baker, President, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association
Commentary
April 21, 2023|Short Lines & Regionals

Safety: How You Function When No One is Watching

ASLRRA PERSPECTIVE, RAILWAY AGE APRIL 2023 ISSUE: It has been a tumultuous two months of railroad reporting, commentary, and legislative and regulatory proposals since the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio—some factual,…
Image Courtesy of ENSCO
April 19, 2023|C&S/IT

FRA Awards Automated Track Inspection Program Contract to ENSCO

ENSCO Inc., a provider of railway track inspection and measurement technology, has announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded the company a new five-year contract to carry out…
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on April 12 reported via Twitter: “It was a pleasure to be in Hugoton today to break ground on a $15M project to upgrade the Cimarron Valley Railroad. This makes food and fuel transport across southwest Kansas easier and more efficient than ever, boosting our agriculture industry and economy.”
April 13, 2023|Short Lines & Regionals

Small-Road Briefs: CVRR, INRD, Watco

Jaguar Transport’s Cimarron Valley Railroad (CVRR) launches a $15 million infrastructure improvement project. Also, Indiana Rail Road (INRD) is adding a six-acre container yard; and Watco earns Best Practice Institute’s…
“We’re proud to support construction technology that helps communities build transit projects more quickly,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
April 13, 2023|Regulatory

FHWA Issues RFI to Improve Surface Transportation Project Environmental Review Process

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on April 12 announced a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public comment on environmental review processes that can be improved under the Inflation Reduction Act…
The FRA recently concluded a series of six working group meetings “to inform and collaborate” with stakeholders across the country on the department’s Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study.
April 12, 2023|Passenger

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/FRA, MBTA, SEPTA, Rogers

Common themes emerge from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) stakeholder meetings studying the restoration and expansion of Amtrak long-distance passenger rail services. Also, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) purchases…
April 10, 2023|Regulatory

FRA Issues ‘Train Makeup and Operational Safety Concerns’ Advisory

The Federal Railroad Administration has issued Safety Advisory 2023-02 “to emphasize significant concerns related to train makeup and to ensure that all railroads exercise due diligence and recognize the importance…
Operation Lifesaver Inc. Executive Director Rachel Maleh.
April 10, 2023|Safety

OLI: $50,000 for N.Y. Crossing Safety Campaign

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), announced April 6 that it will award a $50,000 Innovative Rail Safety Competitive Grant to New York Operation…
A March 31-April 1 inspection of the CATS Operations Control Center by the North Carolina Department of Transportation found that “required staffing levels were not met—and the transit agency was ordered to ‘cease revenue service’ if not addressed the following day,” according to the Charlotte Business Journal. (CATS Photograph)
April 5, 2023|Passenger

Transit Briefs: CATS, FRA Corridor ID, GCRTA, MBTA, WMATA

Charlotte Area (N.C.) Transit System (CATS) addresses its lack of required Operations Control Center staff. Also, Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority, and an Atlanta, Nashville,…
Rep. Fetterman said the newly unveiled Railway Accountability Act makes clear that senators are “doing everything we can to prevent a disaster like [the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment] from happening again.”
March 31, 2023|Regulatory

Report: Another New Piece of Railroad Safety Legislation

Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) have added a fourth railroad safety bill to three currently circulating on Capitol Hill by introducing on March 30…
Operation Lifesaver Inc. Executive Director Rachel Maleh.
March 31, 2023|Safety

OLI Awards $231K for Rail Safety Public Awareness Campaigns in 12 States

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) announced March 30 $230,925 in competitive rail safety awareness grants to OLI programs in 12 states.
Pre-impact photo of conventional locomotive (left) and CEM locomotive (right). (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of FRA)
March 30, 2023|Locomotives

FRA Issues Report on Train-to-Train Impact Test

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has published the results of its train-to-train impact test evaluating the effectiveness of crash energy management (CEM) components in improving crashworthiness for equipped locomotives in…
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