Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA)

In response to several fatal rail accidents between 2002 and 2008, Congress passed the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, the first authorization of FRA’s safety programs since 1994.  RSIA directs FRA to, among other things, promulgate new safety regulations.  These new...

Legislation & Regulations

FRA exercises its responsibilities for regulating the safety of the nation's railroad system and development of intercity passenger rail through several means, including:

Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES)

The Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES) Committee was formed by FRA in collaboration with railroad labor and management representatives as an ad-hoc, voluntary, consensus-based committee. 

Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC)

In March 1996, FRA established the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463) to provide advice and recommendations to FRA on railroad safety matters. RSAC is a formally chartered and structured Federal Advisory...

Partnerships & Programs

FRA manages a portfolio of railroad safety partnership programs designed to foster a safe railroad operating environment nationwide. FRA sponsors, manages, and coordinates several nationwide voluntary programs, and FRA is represented on boards, committees, working groups, and task...

FRA Secure Area

Access FRA's Automated Track Inspection Program (ATIP)  secure site.

FRA Investigations of Railroad Accidents

FRA’s Accident Analysis Branch continuously monitors the occurrence of train accidents and incidents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. FRA staff are dispatched to the scene of serious train accidents to determine their cause or whether a formal investigation is warranted, in...

Security, Preparedness, Accident Reporting and Analysis

The Security, Preparedness, Accident Reporting and Analysis Division serves as the FRA lead point of contact and coordinator for national security; emergency preparedness; and accident investigation, reporting, and analysis.  The division interacts with railroads; FRA staff; DOT offices and...

PTC Annual and Quarterly Reports and Railroads’ PTC Dockets

Alaska Railroad (ARR)

FRA-2010-0054

Altamont Corridor Express (ACEX)

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PTC System Information

Positive Train Control (PTC) is a processor-based/communication-based train control system designed to prevent train accidents.  PTC may be voluntarily developed and implemented by a railroad following the requirements of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 236,...