Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA)

In response to several fatal rail accidents between 2002 and 2008, Congress passed the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, the first authorization of FRA’s safety programs since 1994.  RSIA directs FRA to, among other things, promulgate new safety regulations.  These new regulations govern different areas related to railroad safety, such as hours of service requirements for railroad workers, positive train control implementation, standards for track inspections, certification of locomotive conductors, and safety at highway-rail grade crossings.