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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 improving rail strategies. FRA inspectors on the ground employ discretion to determine which cases merit the lengthy and precise civil penalty procedure. This allows them to ensure that those violations most deserving of punishment are punished. SMART-TD members and allies made history in 2024 by pushing the FRA to allow two people in the cabs of locomotives of freight trains. The fight isn't over. Safety The Federal Railroad Administration implements a variety of safety measures to safeguard the health of employees and public. It is responsible for creating and enforcing safety regulations for rail. It also administers rail funding and conducts research on rail improvement strategies and technologies. It also formulates the implementation and maintenance of a plan for maintaining the current rail infrastructure and services. It also expands and improves strategically the rail network across the nation. The department requires all rail companies to adhere to strict rules and regulations, and empower their employees and provide them with the tools needed to be successful and safe. This includes taking part in an anonymous close-call reporting system, establishing labor-management occupational safety and health committees that have full-union participation and antiretaliation provisions and providing employees with the needed personal protective gear. FRA inspectors are at the forefront of enforcement of railway safety laws and regulations. They conduct routine inspections of equipment and conduct investigations into hundreds of complaints. Those who violate the rail safety laws could be penalized civilly. The agency's safety inspectors have broad discretion over whether a particular violation meets the statutory definition of a civil penalty-worthy act. The Office of Chief Counsel's safety division also scrutinizes the reports that regional offices submit to ensure that they are legal before assessing penalties. This discretion is exercised at both the regional and field levels to ensure that civil penalties are only used in cases that warrant their use. A rail employee must be aware of rules and regulations that govern his actions and knowingly disregard those standards to commit a criminal offense that is punishable by a civil penalty. However the agency does not take any person who follows a directive by a supervisor as having committed an intentional violation. The agency defines “general railroad system” as the whole network that transports passengers and goods between cities and metropolitan areas. The trackage of a plant railroad in the steelmill isn't considered to be part of the general rail transportation system, despite the fact that it is physically connected. Regulation The Federal Railroad Administration sets train regulations, ranging from those related to safety and the movement of hazardous materials. The agency manages rail finance, which includes grants and loan for service and infrastructure improvement. The agency collaborates with other DOT agencies and industry to devise strategies to improve the nation's rail infrastructure. This includes maintaining existing rail infrastructure and services and in addition to addressing the need for additional capacity, strategically expanding the network as well as coordinating regional and national systems planning and development. The agency is responsible for freight transportation but also manages passenger transportation. The agency is working to provide more options for passengers and connect passengers with the places they want to go. The agency is focused on improving the experience for passengers and enhancing the safety of the existing fleet, and ensuring that the railway system continues to function efficiently. Railroads must comply with many federal regulations, including those related to the size of crews on trains. This issue has become controversial in recent years, with some states enacting legislation that requires two-person crews on trains. This final rule defines federally the minimum size crew requirements, ensuring that all railroads adhere to the same safety standards. This rule also requires that every railroad that has a one-person crew notify FRA and submit a risk analysis. This will enable FRA to assess the requirements of each operation with those of a two-person standard crew operation. This rule also alters the review standard of an approval request that is a special case to determine if an operation is “consistent” with railroad safety, to determining if the operation is as secure or less risky than a two-person crew operation. During the public comment period on this rule, a large number of people backed the requirement of a two-person crew. In a formal letter 29 people voiced their concerns that a single crew member will not be in a position to respond with the speed required to respond to train malfunctions or incidents at grade crossings, or assist emergency response personnel on an elevated highway crossing. The commenters pointed out that human factors are responsible for more than half of railroad accidents, and they believe that a larger team will ensure the safety of the train and its cargo. fela lawsuits that transport passengers and freight employ various technologies to increase efficiency, improve security, increase safety and much more. The rail industry vernacular contains a myriad of unique terms and acronyms, but some of the more notable developments include machines-vision systems, instrumented rail inspection systems, driverless trains rolling data centers, and drones that are not piloted (commonly called drones). Technology isn't merely replacing jobs, it's also empowering people to perform their jobs more effectively and safely. Passenger railroads are using smartphones apps and contactless fare payment cards in order to boost ridership and make the system more efficient. Other innovations, such as autonomous rail vehicles, are moving closer to becoming reality. As part of its ongoing efforts to advance safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for the entire nation, the Federal Railroad Administration is focused on modernizing its rail infrastructure. This multi-billion-dollar project will see tunnels, bridges tracks, power systems and tracks updated and stations being rebuilt or replaced. The FRA's rail improvements program will be greatly increased by the recently approved bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The agency's Office of Research, Development and Technology is a key piece in this initiative. The National Academies' recent review of the office revealed that it excelled in keeping in touch with inputs from a wide range of stakeholders. But it still needs to concentrate on how its research aids in the department's main strategic goal of ensuring safe movement of goods and people via railway. The agency could increase its efficiency by identifying and supporting automated train systems and technology. The Association of American Railroads, the freight rail industry's primary association that focuses on policy, research and standardization the Technical Advisory Group on Autonomous Train Operations to help develop industry standards for the implementation of the technology. The FRA is interested in the group’s development of a taxonomy for automated rail vehicles which defines clearly and consistently different levels of automation. This could be applicable to rail transit as well as on-road vehicles. The agency will also want to understand the level of risk to safety that the industry perceives associated with the introduction of fully automated operation and whether the industry is contemplating additional safeguards to mitigate that risk. Innovation Railroads are using technology to increase worker safety and improve business processes. efficient and ensure that the freight they move reaches its destination safely. Examples of this innovation include the use of sensors and cameras to keep track of freight, and to new railcar designs that keep dangerous cargo safe during transport. Some of these technologies enable railroads to send emergency responders directly to sites of accidents to reduce the danger and minimize the damage to people and property. Positive Train Control (PTC) is among the most significant developments in rail. It can prevent train-to-train accidents, situations when trains are in a position they shouldn't and other accidents caused by human errors. This system is made up of three components of onboard locomotive systems that track the train; wayside networks which communicate with the locomotive; and a massive server that analyzes and collects data. Passenger railroads also embrace technology to enhance security and safety. Amtrak for instance, is experimenting with the use of drones in order to help train security personnel locate passengers and other items in an emergency. The company is also looking into other possibilities to utilize drones, including deploying drones to conduct inspections of bridges as well as other infrastructure, such as replacing the lights on railway towers that could be hazardous for workers to climb. Smart track technology is a different technology that is used in railways for passengers. It can detect people or objects on tracks and warn drivers that it is unsafe to continue. These technologies are especially effective in detecting unsafe crossings or other issues in the evenings when traffic is less and there are fewer witnesses to an accident. Telematics is a significant technological advancement in the railway industry. It lets railways, shippers, and other parties to follow a traincar's progress in real-time. These capabilities give railcar owners and crews greater control and visibility. They can also aid in improving efficiency, prevent unnecessary maintenance and reduce delays in the delivery of freight to customers.