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The Federal Railroad Administration and Technology The Federal Railroad Administration creates and enforces rail safety regulations The Federal Railroad Administration also provides funding for rail and researches rail improvement strategies. FRA field inspectors use discretion to decide which cases warrant the exact and time-consuming civil penalty process. This allows them to ensure that the most serious violations are penalized. SMART-TD, along with its allies, made history in 2024 when they convinced the FRA that two people should be allowed in the locomotive cabs of freight trains. The fight isn't over. Safety The Federal Railroad Administration implements a number of safety measures to ensure the health of its employees and public. fela claims is responsible for developing and enforcing safety regulations for rail. It also oversees rail funding, and conducts research on improvements to rail strategies and technological developments. It also formulates plans, implements and maintains an action plan to maintain the current infrastructure and services for rail. It also expands and improves strategically the national rail network. The department requires all railroad employers to abide by strict rules and regulations, and empower their employees and provide them with tools to be successful and secure. This includes participating in a confidential close-call reporting system, establishing labor-management occupational safety and health committees, with full union participation and antiretaliation provisions and giving employees the necessary personal protective equipment. Inspectors of the FRA are at the forefront of enforcing safety on rail regulations and laws. They conduct regular inspections of equipment and conduct a multitude of investigations into complaints of non-compliance. Civil penalties are handed out to those who violate railroad safety laws. Safety inspectors from the agency have wide discretion to determine whether a violation falls under the definition provided by law of an offense that is punishable by civil penalties. Additionally the Office of Chief Counsel's safety department reviews all reports that are received by regional offices for legality before determining penalties. This discretion is exercised at the field and regional levels to ensure that civil penalties are only used in cases that warrant their use. To be considered guilty of a civil violation the employee of a rail company must know the rules and regulations governing their actions. They also must be aware that they disregard these standards. The agency doesn't consider that an individual who acts upon a directive from a supervisor has committed a willful offense. The agency defines the “general railroad system of transportation” as the whole network over which goods and passengers travel within metropolitan areas and between them. The trackage of a plant railroad at a steel mill is not considered part of the general transportation system by rail, even being physically connected to it. Regulation The Federal Railroad Administration sets train regulations, including those related to safety and the movement of hazardous materials. The agency also oversees rail financing, including grants and loans for improvements to infrastructure and service. The agency works with other DOT agencies and industry to devise strategies to improve the nation's rail system. This includes ensuring the existing rail infrastructure and services as well as in addition to addressing the need for additional capacity strategically expanding the network and coordinating national and regional systems planning and development. The agency is mostly responsible for freight transportation but also oversees passenger transport. The agency is working to offer more options for passenger travel and connect people with the places they want to travel to. The agency is focused on improving the passenger experience and improving the safety of the current fleet, and ensuring that the railway system continues to function efficiently. Railroads must comply with a number of federal regulations, including those that deal with the size and composition of train crews. In recent times the issue has been a source of contention. Some states have passed legislation that requires two-person teams on trains. This final rule outlines the minimum size of crew requirements at a federal level, ensuring that all railroads are subject to the same safety standards. This rule also requires that every railroad operating with a crew of one notify FRA and submit an analysis of risk. This will allow FRA to better understand the specific parameters of each operation and compare them to those of a standard two-person crew operation. This rule also alters the review standard of an approval request that is a special case from determining whether an operation is “consistent” with railroad safety, to determining if the operation is as safe or less risky than a two-person crew operations. During the time of public comments for this rule, a large number of people voted for a requirement of two people on the crew. In a form letter, 29 people expressed their concern that a single member of the crew would not be able to respond with the speed required to respond to train accidents or malfunctions at grade crossings, or assist emergency response personnel on an elevated highway crossing. Commenters pointed out that human factor are responsible for a majority of railroad accidents. They believe that a bigger crew will ensure the security of the train and its cargo. Technology Railroads that transport passengers and freight employ a wide array of technologies to increase efficiency, improve security, improve safety and more. The rail industry lingo includes many distinct terms and acronyms however, some of the most notable innovations include machines-vision systems, instrumented rail inspection systems, driverless trains rolling data centers, and drones that are not piloted (commonly known as drones). Technology isn't just about replacing certain jobs. It helps people perform their jobs more effectively and with greater security. Passenger railroads use smartphones apps and contactless fare cards in order to increase passengership and boost the efficiency of their system. Other innovations like autonomous rail cars are coming closer to reality. The Federal Railroad Administration, as part of its ongoing efforts to promote secure reliable, affordable, and cost-effective transportation in the United States, is focused on modernizing the railway infrastructure. This is a multi-billion-dollar project that will see tunnels and bridges restored tracks, power systems and tracks upgraded, and stations reconstructed or upgraded. The FRA's rail improvements program will be substantially increased by the recently approved bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Office of Research, Development and Technology of the agency is a crucial element in this initiative. The most recent National Academies review of the office found that it excelled in engaging, maintaining communication and using inputs from a range of stakeholders. But it still needs to be more focused on how its research contributes to the department's primary strategic goal of ensuring safe movement of goods and people by railway. The agency could increase its efficiency by identifying and supporting automated train systems and technologies. The Association of American Railroads, the primary freight rail association that focuses on policy, research and standard-setting, has established a Technical Advisory Group on Autonomous Train Operations to help in developing industry standards to implement the technology. FRA will be interested in the group's development of an automated rail taxonomy, a system of standards to clearly and consistently define different levels of automation that would be applicable to both on-road and rail transit vehicles. The agency will want to know the amount of risk that the industry perceives with fully automated operation, as well as whether the industry is considering any additional measures to mitigate that risk. Innovation Railroads are embracing technology to boost worker safety, make business processes more efficient and ensure that the freight it transports arrives at its destination safely. These innovations range from sensors and cameras that monitor freight to innovative railcar designs which keep hazardous cargo safe during transit. Certain of these technologies provide a way for railroads to send emergency response personnel to locations of accidents so they can swiftly reduce damage and minimize risk to property and lives. Positive Train Control (PTC) is one of the most significant developments in rail. It is designed to stop train-to-train accidents, instances when trains are in a position they shouldn't, and other incidents caused by human error. The system is comprised of three components of onboard locomotive systems that track the train; wayside networks that communicate with the locomotive and a huge server that collects and analyses data. Passenger railroads also embrace technology to increase safety and security. Amtrak, for example, is experimenting with drones to help train security staff locate passengers and items in the event of an emergency. Amtrak is also investigating other ways to use drones, for instance, using drones to conduct inspections of bridges and other infrastructure, such as replacing the lights on railway towers, which can be hazardous for workers to climb. Smart track technology is another technology that can be used in railways that transport passengers. It can detect objects or people on tracks and notify motorists that it is not safe to continue. These technologies are particularly useful in detecting crossings that are not authorized or other problems in the evenings, when traffic is low and there are fewer witnesses to an accident. Another important technological breakthrough in the railway industry is telematics which allows shippers, railroads and other stakeholders to view the condition and status of a traincar via real-time tracking. Crews and railcar operators will benefit from increased accountability and visibility, which will help them to improve efficiency, avoid unnecessary maintenance and reduce delays when delivering freight.