Tuesday, June 01, 1999 (Washington, DC )

U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today announced a proposal to assure the safety of passengers in light rail trains operating on the general railroad system. A joint policy statement issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) outlines the proposal.

"As we build a transportation system for the new millennium in America that is intermodal in form, intelligent in character and inclusive in service, we must continue to be vigilant on the safety front, President Clinton’s highest transportation priority," Secretary Slater said. "This proposal would clarify the safety standards applying to light rail new starts, which hold great potential for giving the American people better transportation service in metropolitan areas in the 21st century."

The proposed policy complements FRA’s newly issued comprehensive standards to improve the safety of America’s railroad passenger equipment operating on the general railroad system. The new federal requirement governs passenger equipment crashworthiness and structural standards, fire safety, emergency systems, inspection and testing and maintenance.

Light rail equipment is not designed to meet these standards, and the policy proposal outlines conditions under which waiver of these and other FRA regulations may be appropriate. In general, the policy indicates the scope of potential waivers that may be granted when two different types of equipment would use the same tracks, provided the light rail and conventional rail operations occur at completely different periods of the day.

The policy statement outlines the applicability of FRA safety regulations to light rail trains operating on the general railroad system and sharing it with conventional railroad equipment. It addresses joint operations on the same track and shared operations in the same corridor on separate tracks.

"This policy is important because it addresses issues that are crucial for a safer light rail system operating in the 21st century," said FRA Administrator Jolene Molitoris. "It would give guidance to state and local planners who want to operate light rail on the general railroad system."

According to the FTA, there is widespread interest around the country in developing new light rail projects. The FTA evaluated 42 projects for funding this year and 21 were light rail projects. Five light rail new starts have been recommended for funding in the President’s fiscal 2000 budget.

The proposed joint policy addresses the most important safety issues related to shared use including the potential for a catastrophic collision between light rail and conventional equipment; the shared use of highway-rail grade crossings; and shared infrastructure and employee safety.

"Light rail is one of the safest, fastest and most efficient forms of mass transportation and it can provide enormous benefits to our growing economy–connecting commuters to jobs, easing highway congestion and promoting a clean environment," said Administrator Linton. "With the steps we are announcing today, we are keeping safety concerns at the top of the national agenda while helping communities build safe and reliable transportation, livable communities, comfortable suburbs and vibrant cities."

The deadline is July 30, 1999, for comments on the proposed joint policy statement, which is posted on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. Comments should be sent to the DOT Central Docket Management Facility, Docket Number FRA-1999-5685, PL-401, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590.