Safety
House railroad subcommittee slates hearing on grade crossing safety
(Source: Progressive Railroading 01/31/2020) The U.S. House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials will hold a hearing next week on the topic of grade crossing safety. Titled “Tracking Toward Zero: Improving Grade Crossing Safety and Addressing Community Concerns,” the hearing will be held at 10 a.m. (EST) Feb. 5 at the Rayburn House Office Building in…
Read MoreFRA NPRMs address track, brake inspection requirements
(Source: Railway Age, December 19, 2019) NEW YORK — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Dec. 19 issued two Notices of Proposed Rulemakings (NPRMs), one updating current Track Safety Standards (TSS), the other updating existing Brake System Safety (BSS) requirements. FRA said the proposed rules changes are designed “to promote safety innovation and reduce unnecessary…
Read MoreUP says PTC implementation is complete; Interoperability efforts continue
(Source: Union Pacific press release, December 16, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Union Pacific recently completed Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation, activating its final track segment. The technology is now implemented on all the company’s federally mandated rail lines, including required passenger train routes. Union Pacific will continue working with partner railroads on their interoperability efforts, ensuring…
Read MoreFRA seeks to delay implementation of training for safety-related railroad workers
(Source: Safety and Health Magazine, December 12, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to a petition for rulemaking, the Federal Railroad Administration is seeking to further delay by 16 months the implementation dates of its proposed Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees regulation. Full story: Safety and Health Magazine Friday, December 13, 2019
Read MoreWheels begin to turn on self-driving car legislation
(Source: The Hill 12/01/2019) BY MAGGIE MILLER – 12/01/19 09:00 AM EST Congress has yet to roll out comprehensive legislation that would create federal standards for self-driving cars this year, but the wheels have started turning on new efforts to draw up policy. Movement on the issue follows pressure from industry groups and agencies that have been pushing for…
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