General
Revising US passenger railcar occupant volume integrity requirements
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is developing new regulations addressing the occupant volume integrity (compressive end strength) of passenger rail cars. The new rules are being adopted to accommodate the introduction of rail equipment designed to alternate standards that will provide a...Positive Train Control Shared Network
The Interoperable Train Control (ITC) Positive Train Control (PTC) Shared Network (IPSN) project investigated anticipated industry benefits and the level of support for the development of a hosted technological platform for PTC messaging across multiple railroads. A hosted network would reduce...Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) Lessons Learned Team Baseline Phase Report
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has established a program called the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), which allows events to be reported anonymously and dealt with non-punitively and without fear or reprisal through structured collaboration between representatives of...Risk Evaluation Framework and Selected Metrics for Tank Cars Carrying Hazardous Materials
This report presents an analysis of train accident and hazmat release data to quantify the likelihood of a hazmat release. The harm caused by a hazmat release is characterized as the end result of a chain of events, with each link in the chain being characterized by risk metrics that determine...Federal Railroad Administration Issues $967.1 Million MTA Loan to Finance Critical Safety Upgrades to the Nation’s Largest Commuter Railroads
WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today closed on a $967.1 million Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan with New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in order to facilitate the deployment of Positive Train Control (PTC...
Statement from Sarah Feinberg, Acting Federal Railroad Administrator - North Dakota Derailment
"A crude oil train has derailed near Heimdal, North Dakota this morning, resulting in a large fire involving several tank cars. The town of Heimdal is being evacuated. The FRA has deployed a ten person investigation team to the site and will be conducting a thorough investigation into the cause...