Highway-Rail Crossing Fatalities Reach Record Low in 2003; Other Railroad Safety Numbers Show Similar Improvements

Thursday, May 06, 2004 (Washington, DC) The nation’s rail transportation system achieved a record low number of highway-rail grade crossing fatalities in 2003, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced today. Preliminary full-year statistics compiled by the Federal...

FRA Audit of Remote Control Locomotive Operations Shows Fewer Accidents and Employee Injuries

Thursday, May 13, 2004 (Washington, DC) Federal Railroad Administrator Allan Rutter today announced a preliminary report strongly indicating that the deployment of remote control locomotives in and around rail yards has resulted in significant safety benefits. The findings are contained in the...

U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Action Plan to Prevent Train-Vehicle Collisions and Pedestrian Deaths

Tuesday, June 15, 2004 (Washington, DC) Promoting enhanced enforcement and closing unneeded crossings are among the action objectives highlighted in a U.S. Department of Transportation blueprint for reducing railroad-related casualties. The Secretary's Action Plan for Highway-Rail Crossing...

FRA Proposal Seeks to Improve Working Conditions For Train Crews, Prevent Hearing Loss

Thursday, June 24, 2004 (Washington, DC) Preventing hearing loss in train crews is the aim of a proposed rule being offered today by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The proposal is intended to reduce unnecessary noise exposure and potential hearing loss of railroad employees who work...

FRA Proposes to Improve Crash Survivability of Locomotive “Black Box”

Wednesday, June 30, 2004 (Washington, DC) Event recorders, the train equivalent of an airplane's "black box," will be improved to make sure critical information survives train accidents according to a proposed rule issued today by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

"The survival...

DOT Announces New Initiative for Loan and Credit Programs

Wednesday, July 14, 2004 (Washington, DC) The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced the establishment of a department-wide Credit Council to enhance oversight and management of the Department's direct loan and loan guarantee programs that are administered by the Maritime...

FRA's Response to the New York Times Article

Monday, July 19, 2004 () Click here for FRA's Response to NY Times Allegations Click here for FRA's Grade Crossing Safety Program

Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway to Get Next Generation Overhaul Through New Federal Investment

Thursday, July 29, 2004 (Akron, Ohio) The Wheeling & Lake Erie (W&LE) Railway will get a much needed face lift thanks to a new loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation meant to boost the competitiveness of the railroad that serves as a key economic link in Ohio, Pennsylvania and...

$5.2 Million Grade Crossing Improvement Grants Help Advance High-Speed Rail Corridor Development in Five States

Monday, August 16, 2004 (Washington, DC) Alabama, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin will share $5.2 million to improve highway-rail grade crossings as part of a program to enhance safety and prepare federally designated corridors for future high-speed rail operations.

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Grade Crossing Improvement Grant Helps Advance Development of High-Speed Rail Corridor in State of Washington

Monday, August 16, 2004 (Washington, DC) The State of Washington will receive a $994,100 grant to improve highway-rail grade crossings as part of a program to enhance safety and prepare federally designated corridors for future high-speed rail operations.

"These grants will help prevent...