Train Accident Newsroom

Introducing The Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007

By Mary Kerr, 202-226-4496

HON. CORRINE BROWN OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 1, 2007

I want to thank Chairman Oberstar for joining me in introducing the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007. This legislation is long overdue and will authorize safety programs in both passenger and freight rail which will protect passengers, workers, and the communities that our passenger and freight rails serve. It will also improve the safety of our rail infrastructure which will allow for the exceptional growth expected in both passenger and freight rail.

This legislation will make major improvements in railroad safety by: reorganizing the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) as the Federal Railroad Safety Administration, requiring the Secretary of Transportation to develop a long-term strategy for improving rail safety, authorizing funds for the purchase of track inspection vehicles, and increasing the number of Federal rail safety inspectors.

The legislation strengthens hours-of-service by mandating 10 consecutive hours of rest per day, eliminating limbo time, and requiring railroads to submit fatigue management plans to the DOT for review and approval. It also strengthens whistleblower protections and imposes penalties for safety, hours-of-service, and accident reporting violations.

The legislation also mandates the implementation of positive train control, improves warning systems in non-signaled territory, establishes minimum training standards, and recommends ways to mitigate health hazards.

Congress last passed legislation to reauthorize the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in 1994. That authorization expired in 1998. Since that time, the railroad industry has changed dramatically. Economic growth and an increase in international trade have led to record traffic levels. At the same time, Amtrak and the commuter railroads – which often operate on freight rail lines – are moving more passengers, which means that there is a lot of pressure on our rail system. This has a significant impact on worker and public safety.

According to the FRA, train accidents increased 33 percent between 1994 and 2005. Fatalities and injuries have also increased – from 12 fatalities and 262 injuries in 1994 to 33 fatalities and 734 injuries in 2005. Injuries hit an all-time high of 1,884 in 2002 due to the train accident in Minot, North Dakota. In 2006, the number of train accidents decreased to 2,835. Although I am encouraged by improvements in the 2006 rail safety statistics, I believe we still have a long way to go. Serious accidents resulting in fatalities, injuries, and environmental damages continue to occur. Read more transportation.house.gov