Tag

Federal Railroad Administration

All articles tagged with #federal railroad administration

transportation1 year ago•2 min saved

"U.S. Mandates Two-Person Crews for Freight Trains to Enhance Safety"

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced a new rule requiring two-person crews on all railroads to bolster safety, following the East Palestine train derailment last year. The rule, issued by the Federal Railroad Administration, aims to address the patchwork of crew size requirements across states and is seen as vital for train safety operations. Buttigieg emphasized the bipartisan importance of rail safety and urged Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act, as there have been over 1,500 derailments in the U.S. since the East Palestine incident.

via CBS News|

#federal-railroad-administration #pete-buttigieg #rail-safety

government-and-politics1 year ago•2 min saved

"U.S. Mandates Two-Person Crews for Freight Trains to Enhance Rail Safety"

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a final rule requiring a second crewmember on Class I freight and passenger trains to enhance rail safety, addressing concerns about single-crew operations. The rule establishes minimum safety requirements and federal oversight, allowing for public input during decision-making processes. It aims to ensure consistent safety rules for freight and passenger rail operations nationwide, with limited exceptions for smaller railroads. This move aligns with the administration's efforts to improve railway safety and hold railroads accountable.

via Department of Transportation|

#biden-harris-administration #federal-railroad-administration #government-and-politics

transportation1 year ago•5 min saved

"Amtrak's Expansion: New Pacific Northwest Routes and Updated Passenger Rail Maps"

The Federal Railroad Administration has revealed its preferred plan for expanding Amtrak's long-distance services, which could potentially add 15 new routes to the national map, including two in the Pacific Northwest. These routes would serve destinations without current train service, such as Yakima, Boise, Missoula, and Pocatello. The expansion is a result of President Biden's infrastructure bill and aims to enhance access to medical centers, educational institutions, and national parks, while also providing service to millions of Americans. The proposed routes would restore previously discontinued services and could lead to the development of a denser national passenger rail network.

via The Urbanist|

#amtrak #federal-railroad-administration #infrastructure-bill

transportation1 year ago•2 min saved

"Exploring Potential Amtrak Routes Through Sioux Falls and Rapid City"

The Federal Railroad Administration's long-distance rail study includes potential routes through Sioux Falls and Rapid City in South Dakota, connecting the Twin Cities to Denver and Kansas City. The study, funded by President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is seeking public comments on the proposed routes until March 8. All Aboard Northwest, an organization advocating for passenger rail in South Dakota, sees the inclusion of the state's routes in the study as a positive sign, but acknowledges that turning these potential routes into actual rail service will require years of coordination and support from stakeholders.

via South Dakota Searchlight|

#amtrak #federal-railroad-administration #infrastructure

transportation1 year ago•6 min saved

"Challenges and Controversies in U.S. Freight Train Safety Regulation"

A year after a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in Ohio, causing a massive chemical fire, ProPublica reporter Topher Sanders highlights the underregulation of America's aging freight systems. The Federal Railroad Administration monitors less than 1% of rail activity, and the industry does not report the length of freight trains, impacting communities disproportionately. Safety concerns, including the lack of federal inventory of freight trains and the stalled Railway Safety Act in the Senate, remain unresolved.

via NPR|

#federal-railroad-administration #freight-trains #norfolk-southern

transportation2 years ago•2 min saved

Ohio Secures Federal Funding for Amtrak Expansion, Connecting Major Cities

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown has announced that the Federal Railroad Administration has selected four key routes in Ohio as priorities for Amtrak expansion. The corridors, including Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati, Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit, Chicago-Fort Wayne-Columbus-Pittsburgh, and the Daily Cardinal Service, will receive funding for planning and will have priority in future funding competitions. This expansion is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Brown helped pass. The investment aims to expand opportunity, grow businesses, create jobs, and connect communities in Ohio and across the Midwest.

via Senator Sherrod Brown|

#amtrak #expansion #federal-railroad-administration

transportation2 years ago•3 min saved

Union Pacific Under Fire for Endangering Rail Safety

Union Pacific, the largest freight railroad carrier in the US, has been criticized by federal regulators for poor maintenance of its trains, furloughing maintenance workers, and pressuring inspectors to prioritize freight movement over safety. Inspections revealed that over 70% of train engines and 20% of cars had safety defects, twice the national average. The company has been accused of lacking urgency in addressing these issues. The safety record of the railroad industry is under scrutiny, with recent accidents and derailments. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been urging rail companies to participate in a voluntary safety program, but the industry has resisted. Union Pacific claims safety is its priority and will address the concerns raised in the letter. Labor union leaders attribute the safety problems to the precision scheduled railroading business model.

via ProPublica|

#federal-railroad-administration #freight-rail #maintenance

transportation2 years ago•3 min saved

"Railway Infrastructure at Risk: High-Impact Wheels Pose Threat to Tracks and Structures"

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a safety advisory recommending the use of Wheel Impact Load Detectors (WILD) to identify and replace high-impact railcar wheels that can cause significant damage to rails and track structures. The advisory comes after an investigation into a Union Pacific coal train derailment in Nebraska, which revealed that high-impact wheels damaged the rail and caused the incident. The FRA recommends that railroads and contractors continue using WILDs to identify and replace high-impact wheels, with specific guidelines for replacement based on WILD measurements. The agency also suggests reviewing procedures for identifying dynamic ratios to predict high-impact wheels when cars are loaded.

via RailwayAge Magazine|

#derailment #federal-railroad-administration #high-impact-wheels

transportation2 years ago•2 min saved

"Union Pacific Faces Alarming Number of Defects, Federal Inspectors Discover"

Federal inspectors discovered an alarming number of defects in Union Pacific's locomotives and railcars at the world's largest railyard in Nebraska this summer. The railroad was reluctant to address the problems, prompting concerns about rail safety. The defect rates found by inspectors were twice the national average, but the specific nature of the defects was not disclosed. The Federal Railroad Administrator expressed concern over Union Pacific's poor compliance and questioned whether recent layoffs had left the company understaffed for necessary repairs. Union Pacific maintains that safety is a priority and is reviewing the concerns raised by the Federal Railroad Administration.

via ABC News|

#defects #federal-railroad-administration #railroad

transportation2 years ago•2 min saved

Federal Inspectors Find Unsafe Locomotives and Rail Cars, Blame UP for Neglecting Repairs

Federal inspectors have found serious safety concerns with Union Pacific's locomotives and rail cars, with over 70% of locomotives and 20% of rail cars being defective, twice the national average. The company has not taken action to correct the defects, and inspectors were often told to leave the yard when they found issues. The Federal Railroad Administration sent a letter to UP's top executives expressing their concerns. UP has responded, stating that safety is their first priority and they will address the concerns raised by the FRA.

via The North Platte Bulletin|

#federal-railroad-administration #locomotives #rail-cars

transportation2 years ago•5 min saved

Regulators Criticize Norfolk Southern's Safety Standards Following Ohio Derailment

Norfolk Southern, a major freight railroad, has been criticized by federal regulators for its safety culture following a train derailment, fire, and toxic chemical spill near an Ohio town. The Federal Railroad Administration's report highlighted poor communication and mistrust between employees and managers, questioning the adequacy of the company's training. The agency emphasized the need for a safety-focused culture and operations in the industry. Norfolk Southern is collaborating with workers to address the findings and has committed to making improvements. The agency plans to conduct similar safety culture reviews at other major freight railroads. Proposed legislation to improve safety in the industry has stalled in Congress.

via The Associated Press|

#federal-railroad-administration #norfolk-southern #ohio-derailment

regulatory2 years ago•1 min saved

BNSF Seeks Approval for Extended Haul Trains Beyond Limit.

BNSF Railway has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension of a waiver compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations to continue operating extended haul trains for distances of up to 1,702 miles, beyond the limit of 1,500 miles stated in the regulation. BNSF states that operations under this waiver have reduced risk exposure for personal injuries and improved upon crew rest, resulting in noise reduction and reduced pollutants. Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings by submitting written views, data, or comments.

via RailwayAge Magazine|

#bnsf-railway #extended-haul-trains #federal-railroad-administration

transportation2 years ago•2 min saved

Regulators to Provide Reports on Major Freight Railroads.

The Federal Railroad Administration plans to conduct safety investigations of all major freight railroads over the next year, following a review of Norfolk Southern's safety culture after a fiery derailment in Ohio. Individual reports will be issued on Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX, Canadian National, and Canadian Pacific Kansas City, with an industrywide report on common issues and trends. Railroad unions have raised concerns about operating changes that have made trains hauling hazardous materials more dangerous, but the industry defends its policies and emphasizes that it remains the safest way to transport hazardous materials over land.

via Fox Business|

#federal-railroad-administration #freight-railroads #hazardous-materials

transportation2 years ago•1 min saved

$570 Million in Grants to Improve Railroad Crossings Nationwide

The US Transportation Department is investing $570 million in infrastructure spending to replace, improve or study grade crossings, reducing the approximately 2,000 train-vehicle collisions that happen every year. The Federal Railroad Administration said the funds will go toward 34 projects, including five in Texas, the state with the most grade crossing blockage complaints. One of those projects, in Houston, will replace seven points where tracks and roads meet, reducing congestion and noise where train operators blow loud horns as a warning to vehicles.

via CNN|

#federal-railroad-administration #grade-crossings #houston

transportation2 years ago•3 min saved

Long Trains Pose Risks for Railroads, Warned Experts.

The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a safety advisory to railroads, warning them about the potential problems and derailments that long trains can cause. While the advisory did not recommend limiting train size, it did suggest precautions such as ensuring engineers are trained to handle long trains and that locomotives don't lose communication with devices at the end of trains. Members of Congress and state lawmakers have proposed establishing limits on train size, but major freight railroads have pushed back against the idea. The Federal Railroad Administration cited three derailments involving trains longer than 12,250 feet where train length was a factor in its advisory.

via The Associated Press|

#derailments #federal-railroad-administration #long-trains