F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Overview

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Our Focus

The mission of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is to enable the safe, reliable, and efficient movement of people and goods for a strong America, now and in the future.

Vision: RAIL– Moving America Forward

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Our National Organization

• Ron Batory Ex CEO of Conrail• Nominee, not confirmed for

FRA Administrator.

• Heath Hall is the FRA Deputy Administrator• Currently serving as the Acting

Administrator

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

FRA has approximately 350 safety inspectors that work out of 8 field offices across the United States.

Wisconsin FRA.• WI FRA Inspectors

• Operating Practices. Milwaukee.• Haz materials (Journeyman). St. Point.• Track (including the Specialist). Lk Geneva• Mechanical (Journeyman). Appleton.• Signal & Train Control. Beloit.• Grade Crossing.

FRA Overview, February 2017 4

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

• Over 200 certified inspectors from 31 participating States have similar authority to FRA inspectors

• State statute establishes the scope of the State inspectors’ access; some State statutes do not authorize inspections of shippers.

• State inspectors enforce rail safety and hazmat laws.– Mel Strong is the FRA State Insp. program manager.

• WI is exploring whether they wish to participate.

STATE ENFORCEMENT

How does FRA revise or create new safety regulations?

In 1996 FRA established the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC)

RSAC provides a forum for collaborative rulemaking and program development

Participants include: • Railroads (including AAR & APTA); • labor organizations;• trade organizations;• Suppliers;• Government agencies (US and

abroad) and more

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Status of a few proposed regs.

FRA Overview, February 2017 7

• ECP Braking Systems, Electronically Controlled Pneumatic brakes.

Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST Act) required an independent Study that has been completed and going through GAO.

• Inward Facing Passenger Locomotive Cameras• FAST Act required a study which is in process.

A New Reg in force - ENSENS is a system in place by which a railroad receives, processes, and responds to telephonic reports of an unsafe condition at a highway-rail or pathway grade crossing.

ENS Timeline

• Final Rule Issued June 12, 2012

• Revised Final Rule Issued March 15, 2013

• Signs must conform by –September 1, 2017

Where is the ENS applicable?

All at-grade crossing• Public Crossings• Private Crossings• Pathway Crossing

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rail-crossing-locator/id643005214?mt=8

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Safety -- Our Number One Priority

• During the last decade,– Train accidents are

down 44 percent– Highway-rail grade

crossing collisions are down 29 percent

– Employee fatalities are down by 31 percent

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Fiscal Year

Rail Accidents and Incidents, By Cause

Human Factors Track Equipment Signal and Other

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Safety -- Our Number One PrioritySignificant Safety Implementations Over the Past 10 Years:

Positive Train Control (PTC) (to be fully implemented by 2018)

Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Program Enhancements

HAZMAT Transport / HHFT / Tank Car Safety

Risk Reduction / System Safety / Confidential Close Call Reporting

System (C3RS)

Passenger Equipment Safety Standards

Control of Alcohol and Drug Use

Hours of Service of Railroad Employees

Railroad Bridge Safety Oversight

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Major Safety Programs (non-personnel)

ProgramFY16

Funding (m)

Program Purpose

Automated Track Inspection Program (ATIP)

$10.5Rail cars that survey/measure track conditions and compliance with Federal Track Safety Standards

Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS)

$3.2Enables railroad employees to anonymously report near misses and FRA/railroads to analyze and eliminate risks before accidents can occur

Rail Safety Information System (RSIS) $3.2 FRA’s safety data repository that supports

implementation/enforcement of safety programs

Positive Train Control (PTC) $2.3

Oversight, compliance enforcement, and technical assistance related to the implementation of PTC

Grade Crossing Safety $1.5 Grant to Operation Lifesaver and contractor support for FRA’s grade crossing taskforce

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Overview of BudgetAccount FY15

Enacted (m)FY16

Enacted (m)FY17

Enacted (m)Safety & Operations $186.9 $199 $218.3

Railroad Research & Development $39.1 $39.1 $40.1

Amtrak $1,390 $1,390 $1,495

Competitive Grants $10 $50 $97

Total $1,625,970 1,678,100 $1,851.4

• FRA’s programs and activities are funded from the General Fund of the Treasury

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

FY17 Appropriated Competitive Rail Development Grants

Program FY17 Funding Eligible Projects

Consolidated Rail Infrastructure & SafetyImprovements (CRISI)

$68 million• Capital and planning projects to improve

the safety, efficiency, and reliability of passenger and freight rail systems

Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair

$25 million • Publically-owned/Amtrak-owned assets

Restoration &Enhancement $5 million

• Operating assistance to initiate, restore, or enhance intercity passenger rail service

FASTLANE Approx.$787 million

• Freight Rail projects eligible up to $500M over 5-years ($326M remains)

TIGER $500 million • Innovative projects, including multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional projects

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Laying a foundation for higher performing rail (continued)

FRA’s Role Related to AMTRAK, Rail Passenger ServiceAmtrak operates a nationwide passenger rail network, including:• State supported short distance corridor service in heavily

populated regions• Chicago to Milwaukee Service

• Long distance services connecting rural areas and distant population centers • Chicago to Minneapolis and points between in WI.

FRA’s Role• Administers Amtrak’s Grants for operating, capital, and debt obligations• Oversees Amtrak’s performance; inspects safety compliance; and provides

technical assistance and standards

F E D E R A L R A I L R O A D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

RAIL–Moving America Forward

www.fra.dot.gov