CARSON CITY, Nev. – We reported earlier today that the Pennsylvania House passed a rail safety regulation bill that is now being considered by the state Senate. Across the country in Nevada, Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed a similar bill that arrived on his desk for signature.
HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a new rail safety regulation bill on Monday, the rationale for which appears to be Norfolk Southern’s derailment in East Palestine, Ohio in February.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) on April 27 passed a new rule aimed at reducing emissions from locomotives when they operate within the state. According to CARB, under the In-Use Locomotive Regulation—the
WASHINGTON – On Nov. 29, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) submitted comments to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) concerning a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend regulations concerning training, qualification and oversight for safety-related railroad employees (Training Rule).
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has developed a program to assist contractors with compliance requirements set forth by Part 243.
In response to a Petition from the Association of American Railroads (AAR), American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) and American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has
Kansas City Southern has now deployed CloudMoyo across all of its operations in Mexico and the U.S.
Several states are pushing back on the notion that regulation of crude oil trains in the United States belongs in the hands of the federal government, as opposed to being regulated by
The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) announced on Jan. 18 the three main areas of focus for its advocacy priorities in the New Year.
Airbrakes, hours of service, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and level boarding rules were included in comments the Association of American Railroads (AAR) filed Friday with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) concerning federal regulations AAR is offering up for reevaluation.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao says the administration’s forthcoming infrastructure proposal will cover more than infrastructure and reiterated the belief that regulatory red tape, not funding, is responsible for holding up projects.
The Canadian government introduced new regulations to help prevent accidents and improve railway safety.
Transport Canada has proposed grade crossings regulations that would establish new safety standards for federally-regulated grade crossings.
At a hearing before the Surface Transportation Board on June 22, Union Pacific CEO Jim Young testified that increased regulation would harm UP’s commitment to investment and job creation.
UP has invested more than $30 billion of capital in the past 11 years and expects to invest $3.3 billion this year.
Young pointed to the 15,000 in new hires UP has planned for 2011 and added that additional regulation would curtail investment and stunt job growth.
"The reality is that if the current balance of regulation is altered, freight rail will be unable to keep its commitment to invest in the future of our country’s economy and jobs. At a time when our country faces a crisis in transportation infrastructure, the industry and regulators should be working together on preserving and encouraging further private investment, not debating changes that would have the opposite effect," said Young.
The Federal Railroad Administration will soon publish final rules instituting conductor certification and imposing new hours-of-service limitations on intercity passenger train and commuter employees in safety sensitive positions.
FRA Associate Administrator for Safety Jo Strang made the announcement at the United Transportation Union’s regional meeting June 21 in San Antonio, Texas.
Conductor certification, which becomes effective January 1, 2012, "recognizes the level of professionalism required by our conductors today," Strang said.
A notice of proposed rulemaking on conductor certification was published in November and is the product of a collaborative effort through the FRA’s Rail Safety Advisory Committee, which includes carriers, rail labor and the FRA.
Strang said the passenger hours-of-service regulation will apply sleep science and fatigue management to railroad hours-of-service, "which is the first time in our industry’s history that this has been done. It recognizes the inherent differences between freight and passenger service."
For example, intercity passenger and commuter railroads operate on fixed schedules. Commuter railroads operate primarily during daylight hours and most commuter employees return to their home terminals every night.
The passenger hours-of-service regulation will "balance the need to manage fatigue with the need to maximize income," Strang said. "The rule also recognizes the significant safety contribution that a defined start time has for the employees involved. When the employee knows when they must report for service, they can manage the necessary lifestyle adjustments. The outstanding safety record of our passenger and commuter rail operations is an excellent example of just what it means to have a regular start time."
Canadian Pacific commended Canada’s government for recognizing that commercial principles are the key to improving the overall performance of Canada’s world-class supply chain, but cautioned that additional regulation for relationships outside of commercial agreements is completely unwarranted.
"Isolating the rail sector will not produce the desired results," said President and Chief Executive Officer Fred Green.
To offer an independent assessment of the state of regulation relating to Canadian railway service, the government commissioned third-party research, which confirmed that the current regulatory regime for rail in Canada is robust and is superior to other frameworks reviewed.
"I recognize the government is addressing the weaknesses in the Panel’s findings by taking steps to encourage even further improvement across the entire supply chain," said Green. "While the report suggests negotiated commercial principles are preferred, I am concerned about the application of some of the recommendations involving regulation. The devil will be in the details. We will work with government to ensure equitable accountability is achieved throughout the supply chain and fosters further gains in service reliability."
Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff reiterated the FTA’s commitment to the "Buy America" provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by saying that the administration would not consider any public interest waiver of the regulation for ARRA projects and revealed a new website, www.dot.gov/buyamerica, to promote possible business opportunities surrounding the regulation.
BNSF is suing Kootenai
County, Idaho, over new regulations proposed for the railroad’s Hauser diesel
refueling depot, the Spokesman-Review reports.
LAS VEGAS – Brightline West gives an update on the field investigation work taking place in Southern California and Nevada for the proposed rail corridor.
WASHINGTON – Today, The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a final rule requiring two crew members on nearly all freight and passenger trains.
