Railroads
New FRA Rules Strengthen Protections for Workers along Railroad Tracks and Expand Drug Testing
Separate rules increase protections, add Maintenance of Way workers to drug and alcohol testing policy
FRA Announces $25 Million Available for Rail Infrastructure Safety Upgrades
Administration has requested $2.3 billion in FY2017 budget
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Flammable Liquid Unit Trains Response Curriculum
Online Resource Offers Responders a Flexible Approach to Pre-Incident Planning for Rail Incidents
U.S. DOT Takes New Emergency Actions as Part of Comprehensive Strategy to Keep Crude Oil Shipments Safe
Emergency order requires railroads transporting crude to notify state emergency response commissions; safety advisory urges use of tank cars with highest integrity
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued an Emergency Order requiring all railroads operating trains containing large amounts of Bakken crude oil to notify State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs) about the operation of these trains through their states.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Calls for Transportation Investment During Visit to Siemens Norwood Motors Plant
Highlights Plant’s Economic Impact as part of Invest in America Bus Tour
NORWOOD, Ohio— U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today visited the Siemens USA, Norwood Motors Manufacturing Facility where workers are building traction motors and gears for 70 energy-efficient, electric locomotives as part of Amtrak’s equipment modernization effort. The Secretary’s visit is part his Invest in America, Commit to the Future bus tour, a multi-state tour highlighting the urgent need to invest in America’s transportation infrastructure at a time when the nation’s surface transportation programs are set to expire and the Highway Trust Fund is running out of money.
News Digest DOT 106-13
U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces Grant to Reduce Train Delays and Improve Reliability in Syracuse, NY. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced an $18.5 million grant to reduce passenger and freight train congestion on Amtrak’s Empire Corridor at the Syracuse, NY train station. The grant to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is for the final design and construction of track reconfiguration and replacement and signal system improvements.
Federal Railroad Administration Launches Operation Deep Dive
Inspectors to conduct 60-day comprehensive safety assessment of Metro-North
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced the launch of a 60-day comprehensive safety assessment of Metro-North Commuter Railroad in response to the December 1st crash. Operation Deep Dive, beginning December 16, 2013, will exhaustively review Metro-North’s compliance with federal regulations, its procedures and practices, and its safety culture.
Federal Railroad Administration Issues Emergency Order to Metro-North Railroad on Speed Restrictions and Locomotive Crew Staffing
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today issued an Emergency Order (EO 29) to Metro-North Commuter Railroad (MNCW) to take specific, immediate steps to ensure its train crews do not exceed speed limitations. The EO requires Metro-North to modify its existing signal system to ensure speed limits are obeyed and to provide two qualified railroad employees to operate trains where major speed restrictions are in place until the signal system is updated.
News Digest (DOT 101-13)
Consumers Cautioned on Air Tours to College Bowl Games. The U.S. Department of Transportation today reminded air travelers going to this season’s college football bowl games that a company marketing an air tour package that includes game tickets must have the tickets in hand or have a written contract for the tickets before advertising the tour. If a travel agent or other tour representative states that a game ticket is included, the consumer should require at the time of purchase that the game ticket be presented or a written confirmation for the ticket be provided.