Latest posts about FRA
Freight railroad safety is front and center in FRA data and AAR white paper
March 7, 2024
In freight railroad circles, the topic of safety is never far from top of mind. That was made clear on two fronts this week by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), in the form of railroad safety data it cited from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and an AAR white paper, entitled “Building a Safer Future: Examining Freight Rail’s Comprehensive Safety Network.”
Letter to Class I railroad execs from STB and FRA focuses on recent service issues
August 25, 2020
The letter’s authors—Ronald Batory, FRA Administrator, Ann Begeman, STB Chairman, Martin Oberman, STB Vice Chairman, and Patrick Fuchs, STB Board Member—explained that the objective of the letter was to reemphasize the importance of safe, dependable rail service, at a time when the nation is focused on restoring jobs and economic recovery.
FRA reports strong Q1 Positive Train Control implementation progress
May 30, 2019
The FRA said that based upon railroad’s First Quarter 2019 PTC progress reports submitted to FRA by April 30, railroads required to implement PTC are making significant process toward full implementation on required main lines. That is made clear with PTC systems now in operation on almost 48,050 of 58,000 route miles, or nearly 83%, subject to mandated PTC implementation, marking a 3% gain over the fourth quarter of 2018.
FRA data shows strong progress with PTC implementation
September 5, 2018
The United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently released data for second quarter 2018 Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation. Based on FRA’s data, a key takeaway is that decent progress is being made, with 15 U.S. railroads having installed 100% of PTC system hardware that needs to be installed for implementation.
Moore on Pricing: Rail
June 6, 2018
Future pricing leverage worrisome
DOT Secretary Chao rings bell for Positive Train Control implementation
January 8, 2018
United States Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao penned a letter to Class I railroads, as well as passenger railroads and state and local transportation agencies, regarding the federally-mandated Positive Train Control (PTC) mandate, which is slated to be fully implemented by December 31, 2018.
Despite signs of progress, Federal Railroad Administration calls PTC implementation ‘uneven’
November 29, 2016
Even though the rate of progress being made by railroads in implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) may be viewed as low, things appear to be heading in the right direction.
FRA Administrator makes it clear that railroads need to focus on PTC plans, says report
November 23, 2015
The objective of Positive Train Control (PTC) systems is to prevent train-to-train collisions, overspeed derailments, and incursions into roadway work limits.
AAR says chances of PTC deadline being met are slim
September 8, 2015
While railroads and other industry-related entities have made it clear that the Congressionally-mandated December 31, 2015 deadline for Unites States freight and passenger railroads to implement Positive Train Control (PTC) is unlikely to be met on time, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) said today that chances of it happening are bleak.
FRA set to impose fines for railroad carriers not Positive Train Control-compliant by end of 2015
June 30, 2015
When it comes to the chances of the December 31, 2015 Positive Train Control (PTC) deadline being extended, something which railroads say is badly needed, it appears they need to be prepared to be disappointed. That was the chief takeaway of a statement from Sarah Feinberg, acting administrator of the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
DOT, FRA, and PHSMA issue crude oil-related emergency orders
April 27, 2015
Last week, the United States Department of Transportation took further steps to address various issues identified in recent train accidents involving crude oil and ethanol shipped by rail. The announcement was made by DOT with other DOT agencies, including the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
GAO report calls on Congress to extend Postive Train Control deadline
September 19, 2013
With most United States-based railroads signaling they will miss the 2015 deadline for installing Positive Train Control (PTC), the Government Accountability Office said in a report it is asking that Congress should consider amending the Railroad Safety Improvement Act (RSIA) and grant the Federal Railroad Administration the authority to extend the deadline on certain rail lines on a case-by-case basis.
FRA intends to make changes to stakeholder agreements for High Speed Rail grants
August 27, 2010
FRA chief says guidance is not necessary for good-faith negotiations to take place.