SMART-TD

Federal agencies, rail unions team up on safety research

A photograph of a rail track close up. On the track is a paper sign that says, Safety First. In the distance is a freight train locomotive.

Researchers at federal agencies are working with the railroad unions to understand how railroaders best receive information on safety practices.

Since May (and running through July), the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Office of Research, Development and Technology (RD&T) and the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center have been conducting a needs assessment survey to learn about what tools and technology railroaders use to gather, share and communicate information on occupational...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/federal-agencies-rail-unions-team-up-on-safety-research

Putting the brakes on brakes

A close-up photograph of the wheels of a railcar.

Congress’ infrastructure bill is no stranger to controversial issues, including train crew sizes, the prospect of shipping liquefied natural gas via rail, and government studies on precision scheduled railroading and demurrage and accessorial charges.

Add one other item to the list: federal regulation on air brakes.

Part of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s (T&I) INVEST in America Act, which has been folded into the Moving Forward Act, is an item pertaining to DB-60...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/putting-the-brakes-on-brakes

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