Politics & Government

Blumenthal Proposes Federal Rail Safety Overhaul

Mandatory installation of safety devices, more oversight of Metro-North and increased fines will be part of the proposed rail safety legislation.


U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) announced Tuesday that he will propose legislation that will tighten federal regulations on rail safety including a mandate requiring installation of alerters and cameras on trains and more federal oversight of Metro-North Railroad operations.

Blumenthal, who made the announcement at the West Haven train station, said his legislative plan will enforce and enhance rail safety. It all comes in response to series of high-profile rail catastrophes in Connecticut and nationwide including the failure of the Walk Bridge in Norwalk twice that halted commuter rush hour train service, the fatal derailment on the Harlem Hudson Line in New York last December and a derailment in Bridgeport last year that left scores injured. Those incidents, Blumenthal said, have "undermined public trust in rail infrastructure, safety protocols, management and oversight." 

“Cascading catastrophic crashes, devastating derailments, serious delays and service disruptions clearly show that our rail safety protocols, standards and management are woefully insufficient," Blumenthal said. "Existing federal regulation and oversight has been shamefully inadequate, resulting in weak and ineffective fines, delayed investment in infrastructure and outdated safety protocols and technology. Our rail system has been plagued by lax and sluggish oversight, and strong federal regulation is needed now.” 

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The bill, that Blumenthal said he will propose shortly, will: 

  • Mandate adoption of critical, life-saving technology, including alerters, inward and outward facing audio and image recorders, and redundant signal protection for maintenance of way workers.
  • Require continued progress toward the Positive Train Control deadline and require the DOT and FCC to better coordinate so that railroads can access the necessary spectrum to implement the technology.
  • Mandate the expanded use of improved technology and processes for track inspections.
  • Enhance the FRA’s safety oversight abilities.
  • Significantly increase the civil penalties that FRA can impose on railroads while also expanding the agency’s ability to enforce penalties for safety-sensitive violations.
  • Require FRA to finalize the rule that mandates railroads create a fatigue management plan.
  • Require DOT and FRA to develop a national close-call confidential reporting system.
  • Require FRA to meet deadlines and promptly address outstanding NTSB recommendations, including recommendations concerning fatigue, cameras and inspection processes, by providing quarterly reports to Congress.
  • Require FRA to strengthen ongoing oversight of Metro-North.
  • Require stronger standards for crude oil tankers and safety measures for the transportation of crude and petroleum by rail. 

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