WASHINGTON – Ronald L. Batory was sworn in this morning by U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao as the 14th Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). A railroad industry professional with more than 45 years of experience, Mr. Batory is widely respected, having worked successfully for small and large rail carriers across the U.S. Prior to his nomination to serve as Administrator, Batory was President & Chief Operating Officer of Conrail, the...
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced that it is accepting applications for $73 million in grant funding for projects that can strengthen intercity passenger rail, support capital projects and boost safety initiatives that may include the implementation of positive train control, improved highway-rail grade crossings, and congestion mitigation.“These grants are important resources in the Department’s...
Sets Stage for Expedited Permitting Process for Rail Infrastructure ProjectsWASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today released the Northeast Corridor (NEC) FUTURE Record of Decision (ROD). NEC FUTURE is FRA’s comprehensive planning effort to identify ways to improve the reliability, capacity, connectivity, performance and resiliency of passenger rail service throughout the Northeast Corridor through 2040 and...
$7 million digital, TV and radio campaign targets group at highest risk
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today launched the “Stop! Trains Can’t” ad targeting young male motorists and encouraging them to act cautiously at railroad crossings. The campaign is the latest in a two-year effort by DOT to reduce accidents and fatalities at railroad crossings around the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and...
11 projects in six states and the District of Columbia receive fundingMany will help PTC systems work together
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today awarded $25 million in grants for 11 projects in six states and the District of Columbia to assist in implementing Positive Train Control (PTC). FRA received 30 eligible applications requesting $90.6 million, nearly four times the $25 million Congress...
Will help passenger railroads achieve next level of safetyWASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today issued a new final rule which requires passenger railroads to proactively identify potential safety hazards across their operations and work to reduce and mitigate them. The rule will help prevent potential safety problems from escalating and resulting in incidents, injuries, or deaths.“Operating a railroad safely requires...
Administration has requested $1.25 billion to help railroads achieve implementation
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it will accept applications for $199 million in competitive grant funding for Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation. The grants, which will be selected by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and awarded and administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), will help commuter railroads implement PTC,...
Calls on Congress, railroads, states, tech companies, and others to take greater action WASHINGTON – In a statement to the railroad industry, states, tech companies and Congress, the Federal Railroad Administrator Sarah E. Feinberg today called for greater action to prevent fatalities at the nation’s more than 200,000 railroad crossings. During the last six weeks, there have been three significant incidents, in addition to others, that have killed parents and their children when...
