FRA
Rail Industry Defends Safety Record Amid Staffing Cuts
OMAHA, Neb. — Even as railroads are operating longer freight trains that sometimes stretch for miles, the companies have drastically reduced staffing levels, prompting unions to warn that moves meant to increase profits could endanger safety and even result in disasters.
May 17, 2021FRA Final Rule Requires State Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Plans
Kansas Department of Transportation
The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a final rule requiring states to develop, or in some cases, update action plans for highway-rail grade crossings.
December 15, 2020Railroads Approaching Positive Train Control Full Implementation, FRA Says
A Union Pacific engineer using PTC technology. (Union Pacific)
The automatic braking system Congress is mandating for the country’s railroads is almost implemented on the route miles required by law, according to federal regulators’ most recent update.
November 23, 2020FRA Announces $311 Million in Funding Availability
Getty Images
More than $311 million in funding is available for projects designed to improve freight and passenger rail connectivity, federal railroad regulators announced this month.
April 20, 2020FRA Proposal Calls for State Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Plans
A railroad in Alaska, which is one of the 40 states that would need to develop a highway-rail grade crossing action plan under the proposed rule. (Getty Images)
The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a proposed rule that would require states to develop highway-rail grade crossing action plans — or update the action plans they have.
November 13, 2019FRA Announces $244 Million in Grant Availability
TT File Photo
More than $244 million in grants is available for projects that improve safety, efficiency and reliability, federal railroad regulators announced this month.
August 19, 2019DOT IG to Audit FRA Vehicle-Train Collision Data
Shutterstock
Citing a persistent increase in the number of vehicle-train collisions at highway-rail grade crossings in recent years, the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General has informed the Federal Railroad Administration that it is conducting an audit of the agency’s incident data.
September 5, 2018New Rule Gives Small Railroads Option to Use Automated HOS Record Keeping
Wilson Ring/AP
The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a final rule to allow small railroads and their contractors to comply with employee federal hours-of-service record-keeping regulations using automated systems rather than paper records.
August 28, 2018USDOT Calls on Chuck Schumer to Lift Hold on FRA Nominee
Pete Marovich/Bloomberg
In a letter to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Deputy Transportation Secretary Jeffrey Rosen called on the senator to remove his hold on the nomination of Ronald Batory to lead the Federal Railroad Administration.
February 2, 2018Truck, Rail Regulators Withdraw Sleep Apnea Proposal
Thinkstock
Regulators for the FMCSA and FRA announce plans to formally withdraw a 2016 advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding sleep anea.
August 4, 2017