Printer Friendly

Program Coordinator
805-339-0772
E-mail Contact

Background

The Rail Safety Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-458) authorized the States to work with the Federal Railroad Administration to enforce Federal railroad safety regulations.  By 1975, Federal regulations had been issued enabling States to enforce track and freight car safety standards.  In 1980, legislation broadened State involvement to include the Safety Appliance, Locomotive Inspection, Signal Inspection, and Hours of Service Acts.

In 1992, the State Safety Participation regulations (49 CFR, Part 212) were revised to permit States to perform rail hazardous-materials inspections, thereby allowing them to participate in all five of the safety disciplines (track; signal and train control; motive power and equipment; operating practices, and hazmat).  Three years later, the Grade Crossing Signal System Safety regulations (49 CFR, Part 234) were again revised to authorize both Federal and State signal inspectors to ensure that railroads were properly testing, inspecting, and maintaining automated warning devices at grade crossings.  The devices include flashing lights, gates, bells, and related circuitry.

Summary

Today, the Rail State Safety Participation Program consists of 30 States employing 160 safety inspectors in the five rail safety inspection disciplines.  State programs generally emphasize planned, routine compliance inspections; however, States may undertake additional investigative and surveillance activities consistent with overall program needs and individual State capabilities.

Before participation can begin, each State agency must enter into a multi-year agreement with FRA for the exercise of specified authority.  This agreement may delegate investigative and surveillance authority regarding all or any part of Federal railroad safety laws.

The training of State inspectors is one of FRA’s major customer service initiatives.  FRA reimburses States for travel and subsistence expenses associated with rail safety inspector technical training.  The training program helps States to develop rail safety programs and enables qualified State inspectors to maintain technical proficiency.  Approximately one-third of the FRA’s Office of Safety training budget is allocated to State rail safety programs.  Additionally, FRA routinely provides on-the-job training to State inspector candidates.  States interested in obtaining more information about the State Participation Program should contact FRA’s State Program Liaison at 805-339-0772.  For a list of participating States and program information, please click here State Managers.