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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Railroad Safety

A perspective shot of a train track with a blue sky and clouds in the horizon

FRA's Office of Railroad Safety promotes and regulates safety throughout the Nation's railroad industry.  The office executes its regulatory and inspection responsibilities through a diverse staff of railroad safety experts.  The staff includes nearly 400 Federal safety inspectors who specialize in one of six technical disciplines focusing on compliance and enforcement in:

  • Grade Crossings
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Motive Power and Equipment
  • Operating Practices
  • Signal and Train Control
  • Track

For a look at our organizational structure, visit here. For information on the Safety Management Teams, visit here.

Other functions include:

  • Railroad safety and stakeholder training (including State safety inspectors)
  • Accident and employee fatality investigations and reporting
  • Partnerships between labor, management, and the agency that address systemic initiatives
  • Development and implementation of safety rules and standards