Accident/Incident Data

Regulations on reporting railroad accidents and incidents can be found in 49 CFR Part 225, Railroad Accidents/Incidents, Reports Classification, and Investigations. The purpose of the regulations is to provide FRA with accurate information concerning the hazards and risks that exist on the Nation’s railroads. FRA needs this information to effectively carry out its regulatory and enforcement responsibilities under the federal railroad safety statutes. FRA also uses this information to determine comparative trends of railroad safety and to develop hazard elimination and risk reduction programs that focus on preventing railroad injuries and accidents.

FRA collects and analyzes the data from the Nation’s railroads and converts this information into meaningful statistical tables, charts, and reports that you can find on the FRA Safety Data website.

Accident/Incident Reporting Responsibility of Railroads to FRA

The primary groups of accidents and incidents to be reported monthly by railroads are the following:

• Highway-rail grade crossing accidents/incidents.
• Rail equipment accidents/incidents.
• Casualties to persons (i.e., death and non-fatal injuries to all types of persons, and occupational illnesses involving railroad employees).

In addition to monthly railroad-reported accidents and incidents, railroads are required to provide FRA with immediate notification of various types of accidents. This notification is routed through the National Response Center, which notifies FRA of such accidents on a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week basis. 

For report forms, definitions, and requirements for reporting and/or recordkeeping, see Report Forms and Requirements under Resources below.  

FRA Accident Investigations General Criteria

FRA investigates accidents based on Class A and Class B criteria, which include accidents involving fatalities, significant hazardous material releases, or major derailments. Those investigations are conducted to identify root causes and prevent future occurrences.

FRA generally investigates accidents and incidents meeting the following criteria:

Class A Investigations (High-Priority Investigations)

FRA will conduct an in-depth investigation of accidents and incidents that meet one or more of the following conditions:

• Fatal and Serious Injury Incidents:
  • Any collision, derailment, or passenger train incident resulting in at least one fatality or serious injury to railroad passengers or crew members.
  • All railroad employee fatalities, regardless of cause or location.
• Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accidents:
  • Any accident involving a commercial motor vehicle or school bus that results in the death of one or more persons or serious injuries to multiple passengers.
  • Accidents where credible evidence suggests a malfunction or failure of an active warning device contributed to or caused the accident, even if no fatalities occurred.
• Passenger Train Incidents:
  • Any Amtrak passenger train accident, regardless of severity.
• High-Value Property Damage Accidents:
  • Train accidents resulting in damages to track or equipment exceeding $1 million.
  • Derailments involving a locomotive and/or a large number of cars, leading to extensive property damage.
• Hazardous Materials and Environmental Risks:
  • Accidents that result in a serious fire, explosion, or unintended release of hazardous materials.
  • Any incident requiring an evacuation due to an imminent safety hazard to the surrounding area.
  • Accidents involving the transport of nuclear or radioactive materials.
• Runaway Equipment and Collisions:
  • Incidents involving runaway equipment, with or without locomotives.
  • Collisions between trains and maintenance-of-way or hi-rail equipment.
• Electrical Contact and Other Safety Hazards:
  • Incidents where a person comes in contact with an electrical power source, resulting in serious injury or death.
• Public Interest and Significant Safety Concerns:
  • Accidents or incidents that arouse considerable public interest due to severity, unusual circumstances, or media coverage

Class B Investigations (Discretionary Investigations)

In addition to Class A criteria, FRA may conduct Class B investigations at its discretion based on the potential safety impact, complexity, or need for further review. These include:

• Incidents involving operational rule violations that may have contributed to an accident.
• Repeat incidents at the same location within a short timeframe.
• Emerging safety concerns identified through accident trend analysis.

 For additional information on FRA accident investigations, click here.

Resources