Topic: Audits of Short Line and Regional Railroads

NTSB Recommendation: Collaborate with the Federal Railroad Administration and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association to conduct audits of short line and regional railroads to ensure that proper route risk assessments that identify safety and security vulnerabilities are being performed and are incorporated into a safety management system program.

PHMSA Action: FRA has an established program to audit compliance with § 172.820 visiting most, if not all, of the Class I railroads as well as a select number of short line and regional railroads annually. Furthermore, FRA has collaborated with the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) and presented at the March 2015 ASLRRA conference in Orlando, Florida to promote the importance of performing a complete and thorough route analysis.

Latest PHMSA Response: Letter sent to NTSB March 16, 2016

NTSB Status: OAA