Search Results for agency_names:"Federal Railroad Administration"

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced a notice regarding BNSF Railway's request to extend their current waiver, which allows them to perform certain safety tests on their solid-state equipment every four years instead of the usual two years. BNSF argues that their solid-state technology has proven to be more reliable than older systems and that the less frequent testing has not resulted in any safety issues. FRA invites the public to submit comments on this petition by May 2, 2025. This petition, along with other related communications, can be reviewed online.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is requesting public comments on an information collection request under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This collection involves a study aimed at designing and evaluating a new locomotive operating mode that enhances safety by allowing engineers to manually control train speed, with assistance from automation. The study seeks to gather insights to help in designing future locomotive displays and controls and requires comments to be submitted by February 8, 2021. Only those collections with a valid OMB control number are being pursued, and participants can share their thoughts on improving the process and reducing its burden.

Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) has requested approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for revisions to its Positive Train Control Safety Plan. PATH wants to update its system with a new software version, including features for controlling zones and trains. The FRA is asking for public comments on this request until March 24, 2025. People can submit their comments online, and the FRA will consider them while reviewing PATH's submission.

Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) has requested an extension of a waiver from certain federal railroad safety regulations. The waiver would allow UP to skip detailed inspections on trains moving from the International Yard in El Paso, Texas, to nearby yards in Dallas Street and Alfalfa, and to Santa Teresa, New Mexico. UP argues that conducting inspections at Dallas and Alfalfa Yards is safer and more efficient. The public can review the petition online and submit comments to the Federal Railroad Administration until February 25, 2025.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a notice to extend the comment period for a proposed rule by 15 days, now ending on January 15, 2025. The rule aims to update FRA’s procedures on waivers and safety-related proceedings, focusing on what it means to be "in the public interest" and "consistent with railroad safety." This extension comes after requests from railroad associations, who needed more time to review the changes due to resource constraints and the holiday schedule. Comments can be submitted online through regulations.gov.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), part of the Department of Transportation, announced the minimum random drug and alcohol testing rates for certain railroad employees for 2025. The rates will remain the same as in 2024, with covered service and maintenance-of-way employees facing a 25% drug testing rate and a 10% alcohol testing rate. Mechanical employees, who have only been tested since March 2022, will continue with a 50% drug and 25% alcohol testing rate. The FRA sets these rates based on data from the previous two years but may adjust them after evaluating other factors.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is informing the public that the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, known as Amtrak, has asked for a change to a previous agreement. This agreement currently requires Amtrak to limit speeds to 125 mph when passing maintenance areas on certain tracks. Amtrak believes its new safety plans, like better barriers and technology, will allow them to safely increase speeds to 160 mph in designated zones. People can share their opinions or comments about this request until April 16, 2025, on the regulations.gov website.

The Federal Railroad Administration of the Transportation Department issued a correction to a previous notice regarding a railroad project in California. The correction changes the date mentioned in the document from "January 14, 2022," to "December 14, 2022." This change was published to ensure the dates are accurate. The correction refers to a notice originally published on December 14, 2020.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) has requested approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to discontinue or modify a signal system for certain tracks. The request involves removing an automatic block signal (ABS) system and making adjustments to specific signals along the H Line and J-Line. NS argues that the signal system is no longer necessary for current operations. The public can submit comments or concerns about this proposal until March 1, 2021, by various methods outlined in the notice.

Norfolk Southern Corporation has requested approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to remove an automatic block signal (ABS) system on a railway line in the Coastal Division, stretching from Inman to Spartanburg. The company plans to switch the main track between mileposts W54.8 and W65.6 to a different mode of operation, known as NS Rule 171, since the ABS is no longer needed. Interested parties can review the petition and submit comments or requests for a public hearing until March 11, 2021. The FRA will consider all feedback before making a final decision.