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The Federal Railroad Administration and Technology The Federal Railroad Administration is responsible for rail safety regulations and enforcement, as well as funding for rail, and research on rail improvement strategies. FRA inspectors on the ground employ discretion to determine which cases merit the lengthy and precise civil penalty process. This allows them to ensure that the most serious violations are penalized. SMART-TD members and allies made history in 2024 by pushing the FRA to keep two people in the cabs of locomotives of freight trains. The fight isn't over. Safety The Federal Railroad Administration has a range of safety measures in place to safeguard the safety and health of its employees and the general public. It is responsible for developing and enforcing safety regulations for rail. It also manages rail funding, and conducts research on improvements to rail strategies and technologies. It also formulates and implements a plan to maintain current infrastructure, services, and capacity and strategically expands and enhances the national rail network. The department expects all rail employers to adhere to the strictest rules and regulations, and empower their employees and provide them with the tools to succeed and stay secure. This includes the confidential close-call reporting system, creating labor-management occupational safety and health committees that have full participation from unions and anti-retaliation clauses and providing employees with the needed personal protective gear. FRA inspectors are at the forefront of enforcement of railway safety laws and regulations. They perform routine inspections on equipment and investigate complaints from hundreds of people. Those who violate rail safety laws may be subject to civil penalties. Safety inspectors at the agency have a wide decision-making power to determine if an act is within the statutory definition of an act that is punishable by civil penalties. The Office of Chief Counsel's safety division also scrutinizes all reports that regional offices submit to ensure that they are legal prior to imposing penalties. The exercise of this discretion at the field and regional levels helps ensure that the time-consuming, costly civil penalty process is applied only in situations that are truly deserving of the effect of a civil penalty. To be guilty of a civil violation an employee of a railroad must be aware of the rules and regulations that govern their actions. They must also knowingly not adhere to these rules. However the agency does not consider anyone who is acting under a direction by a supervisor as having committed an intentional violation. The agency defines the “general railroad system of transportation” as the whole network that allows passengers and goods to travel within cities and metropolitan areas and between them. The trackage of a plant railroad in the steelmill isn't considered to be part of the overall rail transportation system, despite the fact that it is physically connected. Regulation The Federal Railroad Administration sets train regulations, including those pertaining to safety and movement of hazardous materials. The agency oversees rail finance, including loans and grants for service and infrastructure improvement. The agency collaborates with other DOT agencies and the industry to develop strategies for improving the nation's railway system. This work includes maintaining current rail services and infrastructure and making sure that there is enough capacity and strategically expanding the network and coordinating regional and national systems planning and development. The agency is responsible for freight transportation but also supervises passenger transportation. The agency is aiming to provide more options for passenger travel and connect passengers with the places they want to go. The agency is focused on improving the passenger experience, enhancing the safety of the existing fleet, and ensuring the railway system continues to function efficiently. Railroads must abide by a variety of federal regulations, including those related to the size of the crews on trains. This is an issue of contention in recent years, with a few states passing legislation that requires two-person crews on trains. This final rule codifies federally the minimum size of crew requirements, ensuring that all railroads adhere to the same safety standards. This also requires every railroad that has one-person train crews to inform FRA of the operation and submit an assessment of risk. This will enable FRA to compare the parameters of each operation with those of a two-person standard crew operation. This rule also alters the review standard of a special approval request from determining whether an operation is “consistent” with railroad safety standards to determining whether the operation is as secure or less risky than a two-person crew operation. During the period of public comment for this rule, a large number of people voiced their support for a requirement of two persons on the crew. A form letter sent by 29 people expressed their concern that a single crew member would not be as quick to respond to train malfunctions or grade crossing incidents or assist emergency response personnel at a highway-rail grade crossing. Commenters pointed out that human factors are responsible for more than half all railroad accidents. They believe that a bigger crew could ensure the security of the train as well as its cargo. Technology Freight and passenger rails employ different technologies to improve efficiency, enhance security, and increase safety. The language used in the rail industry includes a variety of distinct terms and acronyms but some of the most notable innovations include machine vision systems, instrumented rail inspection systems, driverless trains, rolling data centers and drones that are not piloted (commonly called drones). Technology isn't just about replacing certain jobs. It helps people perform their jobs better and more safely. Railroads that transport passengers are using smartphone apps and contactless fare payment cards to improve ridership and improve the efficiency of the system. Other developments like autonomous rail cars are moving closer to reality. The Federal Railroad Administration, as part of its ongoing efforts to promote safe, reliable, and affordable transportation in America, is focused on modernizing the railway infrastructure. fela claims -billion-dollar project will see bridges, tunnels tracks, power systems and tracks updated, and stations being rebuilt or replaced. The FRA's rail improvements program will be greatly expanded by the recently passed bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The agency's Office of Research, Development and Technology is a central component of this initiative. The National Academies' recent review of the office concluded that it excelled in engaging, maintaining communication using inputs from a broad range of stakeholders. But it must be more focused on how its research aids in the department's main objective of ensuring the safe movement of people and goods by rail. The agency could enhance its efficiency by identifying and supporting automated train systems and technology. The Association of American Railroads, the primary freight rail association that focuses on research, policy and standard setting and has created a Technical Advisory Group on Autonomous Train Operations to assist in the development of industry standards for the implementation of the technology. FRA is likely to be interested in the creation of an automated rail taxonomy. It is a standard that will clearly and consistently define different levels of automation that will be applicable to both on-road and rail transit vehicles. The agency would like to know the level of risk that the industry sees in fully automated operation, and if the industry is considering any additional safeguards to minimize the risk. Innovation Rail companies are embracing technology to increase worker safety, increase efficiency in business processes and ensure that the cargo they transport arrives at its destination in good condition. Examples of this innovations vary from the use sensors and cameras to track freight, to the latest railcar designs that keep dangerous cargo safe during transit. Certain of these technologies allow railroads send emergency responders directly to accident sites to minimize danger and minimize the damage to people and property. One of the most prominent innovations in rail is Positive Train Control (PTC) which will prevent collisions between trains and trains, situations in which trains are on tracks that shouldn't be and other accidents that are caused by human error. This system is made up of three parts consisting of locomotives onboard that track the train; wayside networks which communicate with the locomotive; and a huge server that gathers and analyzes data. Passenger railroads are also embracing technology to bolster safety and security. For instance, Amtrak is experimenting with drones to aid security staff in locating passengers and other items aboard trains in the event in the event of an emergency. The company is also exploring ways to use drones. They could be used to check bridges and other infrastructure or to replace the lighting on railway towers, which are dangerous for workers to climb. Other technologies that can be used for railways for passengers include smart track technology, which is able to detect the presence of people or objects on the tracks and send a warning to drivers if it's unsafe to proceed. These kinds of technology are especially beneficial in detecting unsafe crossings and other problems during times when traffic levels are lower and there are fewer people around to witness an accident. Telematics is a significant technological advancement in the railway industry. It allows railways, shippers and other parties to monitor a traincar in real-time. Crews and railcar operators can benefit from greater accountability and visibility, which will help them to improve efficiency as well as avoid unnecessary maintenance and delay in the delivery of freight.