ATIP Overview

FRA’s Automated Track Inspection Program (ATIP) helps America's railroads improve railroad quality and safety. ATIP cars conduct operational surveys of the Nation’s rail transportation network to determine railroads’ compliance with Federal Track Safety Standards and for trend analysis and...

Signal, Train Control and Crossings

The Signal, Train Control, and Crossings (STCC) Division promotes an understanding of and compliance with the various Federal regulations related to signal and train control systems, highway-rail grade crossing active warning systems, and the hours of service laws applicable to signal employees...

FRA Investigations of Railroad Accidents

FRA’s Accident Analysis Branch continuously monitors the occurrence of train accidents and incidents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. FRA staff are dispatched to the scene of serious train accidents to determine their cause or whether a formal investigation is warranted, in...

Security, Preparedness, Accident Reporting and Analysis

The Security, Preparedness, Accident Reporting and Analysis Division serves as the FRA lead point of contact and coordinator for national security; emergency preparedness; and accident investigation, reporting, and analysis.  The division interacts with railroads; FRA staff; DOT offices and...

PTC Annual and Quarterly Reports and Railroads’ PTC Dockets

Alaska Railroad (ARR)

FRA-2010-0054

Altamont Corridor Express (ACEX)

FRA-...

PTC System Information

Positive Train Control (PTC) is a processor-based/communication-based train control system designed to prevent train accidents.  PTC may be voluntarily developed and implemented by a railroad following the requirements of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 236,...

Positive Train Control (PTC)

Positive Train Control (PTC) systems are designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, over-speed derailments, incursions into established work zones, and movements of trains through switches left in the wrong position.  On December 29, 2020, FRA announced that PTC technology...

Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness

This regulation addresses passenger train emergencies of various kinds, including security situations, and sets minimum Federal safety standards for the preparation, adoption, and implementation of a Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness plan by railroads connected with the operation of...

System Safety Program

The purpose of a system safety program is to improve railroad safety through structured, proactive processes and procedures developed and implemented by railroad operators that:

FRA’s Action Plan for Improving Safety at Metro-North Commuter Railroad

The FRA has acted aggressively to close any safety gaps and ensure the safe operation of Metro-North Commuter Railroad. On May 17, 2013, after a Metro-North passenger train accident in Bridgeport, Conn., FRA increased its inspections and audits of the commuter railroad’s practices and...