Endnotes Federal Railroad Administration, “About FRA,” October 7, 2019. U.S. Department of Transportation, “Transforming Communities in the 21st Century,” February 2016. 3 Federal Railroad Administration, “Federal Railroad Administration (Organization Chart),” undated. 4 Federal Railroad Administration, “Railroad Safety,” February 12, 2021. 5 Federal Railroad Administration, “Railroad Safety Inspection Programs,” Railroad Safety, 1978. 6 Federal Railroad Administration, “Divisions Overview,” June 16, 2020. 7 Federal Railroad Administration, “Positive Train Control (PTC),” January 4, 2021. 8 Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers - Transportation Division, “FRA’s Policy on Jurisdiction over Light Rail Passenger Operations,” undated. The main exception is the Port Authority Trans-Hudson rail transit system connecting New York City with New Jersey, which is subject to FRA regulation because its tracks are connected with the national rail network. 9 Federal Railroad Administration, “Railroad Safety Inspection Programs,” Railroad Safety, 1978. 10 Congressional Research Service, “Positive Train Control (PTC): Overview and Policy Issues,” CRS Report R42637, September 4, 2018, page 2. 11 Cornell Law School, “Commerce Clause,” WEX, undated. 12 In July 2020, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board ruled that the Texas Central Railway is to be considered part of the national rail network and thus subject to FRA regulation, despite that it will not be physically connected to or interchange with any other railroad and will operate entirely within the state of Texas. Source: Peter LeCody, “Extraordinary STB Decision: Texas Central Railway is part of the interstate rail network,” Texas Rail Advocates, Texas Rail News, July 16, 2020. 13 County of Albemarle, Virginia, “Chapter 33: The Federal Laws Applicable to Railroads,” The Albemarle County Land Use Handbook, March 2012. 14 Arnold & Itkin Trial Lawyers, “The Federal Railroad Safety Act,” undated. 15 Ibid. 16 County of Albemarle, Virginia, “Chapter 33: The Federal Laws Applicable to Railroads,” The Albemarle County Land Use Handbook, March 2012. 17 Ibid. 18 Federal Railroad Administration, “Railroad Safety Inspection Programs,” Railroad Safety, 1978. 19 Good Jobs First, “Violation Tracker Agency Summary Page,” 2020. 20 Federal Railroad Administration, “Railroad Safety Inspection Programs,” Railroad Safety, 1978. 21 Ibid. 22 It’s worth noting that the 2015 FAST Act was the first law to include rail safety and passenger rail programs within a broader surface transportation authorization package. Previously, rail safety and passenger rail programs had been authorized separately from other surface transportation programs. 23 Federal Railroad Administration, “Competitive Discretionary Grant Programs,” March 3, 2021. 24 Dani Arbuckle, “How Much Does a Train Driver Make a Year?” Houston Chronicle, undated. 25 Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety, Human Performance Division, “Training, Qualification and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees, 49 CFR Part 243 - Overview,” undated. 26 Federal Railroad Administration, “Research and Development Funding,” November 17, 2019. 27 Federal Railroad Administration, “Program Areas,” October 22, 2019. 28 Federal Railroad Administration, “Research and Development Funding,” November 17, 2019. 29 Progressive Railroading Editorial Staff, “Rail News - FRA to relaunch Railroad Safety Advisory Committee,” Progressive Railroading, October 1, 2018. 30 Railroad Safety Advisory Committee, “News & Events,” undated. 31 Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis, Database, March 19, 2021. 32 Federal Highway Administration, “Section 2- Components of a Highway-Rail Grade Crossing,” RailroadHighway Grade Crossing Handbook - Revised Second Edition, August 2007. 33 NHTSA Media, “NHTSA and FRA Launch Rail Crossing Safety Campaign,” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - Press Releases, April 18, 2019. 34 NHTSA Media, “U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao Launches ‘Stop. Trains Can’t.’ Awareness Campaign to Save Lives at Railroad Grade Crossings,” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Press Releases, October 6, 2020. 35 Traffic Safety Marketing, “Stop. Trains Can’t.” undated. 1
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Safer Railroading
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