Rail

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Washington – Shippers transporting large quantities of crude oil from the Bakken Formation must inform state authorities about their expected routes under a May 7 Emergency Order from the Department of Transportation.

Washington – A proposed $302 billion surface transportation funding bill sent to Congress April 29 by Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx would give federal transportation agencies increased enforcement authority over unsafe operators and carriers.

Washington – The National Transportation Safety Board hosted a forum on rail safety April 22-23 in response to a series of train derailments in 2013 that resulted in spills of flammable shipments – some leading to fatalities.

Washington – The rail industry will be unable to meet Congress’s 2015 deadline for installing positive train control – in part because of delays caused by the Federal Communications Commission, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Washington – The Federal Railroad Administration announced April 9 that it intends to propose a rule that would require a minimum of two crewmembers for most train operations.

Washington – Stakeholders from the hazmat transportation industry testified April 2 during a House Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee hearing on funding priorities for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's next hazmat safety programming reauthorization.

Washington – A final rule from the Federal Railroad Administration requires railroads to implement “critical incident stress plans” for certain workers who witness fatalities or traumatic injuries.

Washington – The Metro-North Commuter Railroad’s emphasis on on-time service over safety contributed to four serious rail incidents in 2013, according to a Federal Railroad Administration report.

Washington – The National Transportation Safety Board has scheduled a free public forum on April 22 and 23 to discuss safety concerns associated with transporting crude oil and ethanol by rail.