Secure Tracks Act
Rep. Titus Introduces Secure Tracks Act to Mandate Frequent Railroad Inspections
Legislative Progress
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Small and short-line railroads may face increased compliance costs from the new mandatory inspection frequencies and TGMS requirements. These smaller operators often have tighter budgets and fewer resources than Class I railroads, and the prohibition on safety waivers limits their ability to seek alternative, less costly compliance methods.
“the Secretary of Transportation may not grant a waiver, exemption, or modification of any safety regulation issued under chapter II of subtitle B of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations”
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
4 articlesNew legislation would require railroads to conduct automated and human track inspections
Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Josh Hawley introduced the Secure Tracks Act, requiring Class 3+ tracks to receive visual inspections twice weekly. The bill also mandates automated inspections using Track Geometry Measurement Systems and gives inspectors sole authority to clear tracks after repairs.
Senate bill would require human and automated track inspections
The Secure Tracks Act aims to prevent derailments by requiring both automated technology and human inspections. It would prohibit the DOT from issuing waivers that reduce human inspections if the alternative fails to detect all unsafe conditions recognized under federal regulations.
Bipartisan bill to reduce train derailments introduced
The Secure Tracks Act would require railroads to use both automated track inspection (ATI) technology and human track inspections. The bill follows FRA waivers that allowed railroads to reduce human inspections, a move the bill's sponsors argue misses key issues that cause derailments.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Secure Tracks Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
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