Friday, January 19, 2001 (Washington, DC)

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced conditional approval of two waivers that permit use of general rail system tracks by light rail systems.

These approvals, which apply to San Diego Trolley Incorporated and Baltimore Central Light Rail Line, formalize arrangements under which the light rail systems are primarily subject to safety regulation under the FTA State Safety Oversight program, while complying with FRA requirements that address issues common to the light rail systems and the freight railroads that provide nighttime service to shippers.

"We are delighted to grant these approvals and are confident that light rail and conventional railroads can share the same tracks with appropriate safeguards," said Acting FRA Administrator John V. Wells. Acting FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez added, "This action affirms our commitment to optimizing the use of scarce transportation infrastructures. If we are to address critical mobility and environmental needs, we must be prepared to work together across traditional boundaries to serve the public."

The Maryland Mass Transit Administration and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board requested the waivers under principles recently set down in the FTA/FRA Joint Policy Statement Concerning Shared Use of the Tracks of the General Railroad System by Conventional Railroads and Light Rail Transit Systems. Published on July 10, 2000, the policy statement addresses safety issues related to light rail transit operations taking place on the general railroad system. The policy statement describes how the FRA and FTA will coordinate use of their respective safety authorities over shared use operations.

The Baltimore waiver recognizes the ability of the transit system to conduct necessary non-passenger movements and maintenance during the morning freight service window under appropriate safeguards. The San Diego shared-use approval contains elements that for the first time will permit limited, and carefully controlled, joint revenue operations during nighttime hours.