Railroad Accident Law

In May 2008, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) completed the National Rail Safety Action Plan which was originally launched in May of 2005 after several major train accidents. It focused on reducing the two leading causes of train accidents--human factors and track flaws. It accelerated research to strengthen hazmat tank cars, addressed the effects of fatigue on train crews, and enhanced highway-rail grade crossing safety by forging stronger partnerships with states.

Welcome to the newly redesigned FRA Office of Safety Analysis Web Site. This site was established for the purpose of making railroad safety information readily available to a broad constituency which includes FRA personnel, railroad companies, research and planning organizations and the public, in general. Visitors have access to railroad safety information including accidents and incidents, inspections and highway-rail crossing data. From this site users can run dynamic queries, download a variety of safety database files, publications and forms, and view current statistical information on railroad safety.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) was created by the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (49 U.S.C. 103, Section 3(e)(1)). The purpose of FRA is to: promulgate and enforce rail safety regulations; administer railroad assistance programs; conduct research and development in support of improved railroad safety and national rail transportation policy; provide for the rehabilitation of Northeast Corridor rail passenger service; and consolidate government support of rail transportation activities. Today, the FRA is one of ten agencies within the U.S. Department of Transportation concerned with intermodal transportation. It operates through seven divisions under the offices of the Administrator and Deputy Administrator.

The FRA's Highway-Rail Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention Program is committed to reducing the number of collisions at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights-of-way, where approximately 900 deaths occur every year. Using the "Three E" approach (Education, Enforcement, and Engineering), the crossing team has helped to reduce the number of fatalities at highway-rail crossings by 42 percent since 1994.

Railroad Controls Limited is dedicated to being the best resource for all of a railroad's needs in signaling and communications.

In 1996, FRA established the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) to develop new regulatory standards, through a collaborative process, with all segments of the rail community working together to fashion mutually satisfactory solutions on safety regulatory issues. RSAC Purpose The Committee shall seek agreement on the facts and data underlying any real or perceived safety problems; identify cost effective solutions based on the agreed-upon facts; and identify regulatory options where necessary to implement those solutions. In determining whether regulations are necessary, the Committee shall take into account section 1(a) of Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review).

Objective: To make the Canadian public and railway, municipal, government and other industry officials increase their awareness of issues that may arise when railways and municipalities are in close proximity to each other. The information presented on this site is intended to provide direction on successful resolution of such issues.

The Risk Reduction Program Division assists the rail industry in establishing voluntary programs that identify and address risk and that include measurable goals and corrective action processes. By working with railroad, labor, and other interested organizations on a voluntary basis, the Risk Reduction Division will oversee projects that target operations, equipment, or systems that pose a risk to operational and personnel safety, and will establish projects that effectively prevent an accident or incident.

The movement of hazardous materials throughout the railroad industry provides an excellent example of the dynamic interrelationship between shippers, carriers, freight car builders, maintenance and repair companies, and Federal, State, and Tribal governments. Under authority delegated to us by the Secretary of Transportation, we administer a safety program that oversees the movement of hazardous materials (including dangerous goods), such as petroleum, chemical, and nuclear products, throughout the Nation’s rail transportation system, including shipments transported to and from international organizations.

FRA's Office of Railroad Safety promotes and regulates safety throughout the Nation's railroad industry. The office executes its regulatory and inspection responsibilities through a diverse staff of railroad safety experts. The staff includes 400 Federal safety inspectors who operate out of eight regional offices. A regional administrator and two deputy regional administrators manage each region, with a supervisory specialist for five of the safety disciplines and several chief inspectors. The five disciplines include: Hazardous Materials Motive Power and Equipment Operating Practices (includes drug and alcohol) Signal and Train Control Track Structures

There are currently different national approaches to railway safety, different targets and different methods applied. Technical standards, the rolling stock and the certification of staff and railway undertakings differ from one Member State to another and have not been adapted to the needs of an integrated European rail system.

The European Railway Agency has the mission of reinforcing safety and interoperability of railways throughout Europe. As part of its common transport policy, the Community has adopted legislation to pave the way for gradual establishment of an integrated European railway area - both legally and technically. That involves the development and implementation of Technical Specifications for Interoperability and a common approach to questions concerning railway safety. The Agency's main task is to in the future manage the preparation of all those measures.

The European interoperability directives, the Railway Safety Directive and the GB legislation which enacts these Directives are available from the Department for Transport website. Also available from the Department for Transport is a map illustrating the routes defined as the GB part of the trans-European network.

ITSRR has three key roles: * Administering rail safety legislation * Reporting on the reliability and sustainability of publicly funded transport services * Strategic coordination of safety regulation across transport modes of rail, bus and ferry

The Rail Safety Directorate's mission is to develop and administer policies, regulations and services for the best railway transportation system.

Rail safety regulation in Canada is the responsibility of Transport Canada, which administers the Canadian Railway Safety Act, as well as the rail portions of other safety-related statutes. Transport Canada enforces rail safety regulations and conducts research and development in support of improved railroad safety. Transport Canada works closely with the railroad industry through forums such as the Advisory Council on Railway Safety and on various safety issues, including track standards, equipment standards, and transportation of hazardous materials. The safety of railroad employees in Canada is also subject to the regulations of the department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

The Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF) was set up on 1 May 1985. The Organisation’s basis under international law is the Convention of 9 May 1980 (COTIF). The predecessor of OTIF was the Central Office for International Carriage by Rail, which was set up in 1893. Until the signature of the Protocol of 3 June 1999 (Vilnius Protocol) for the modification of COTIF, the objective of this Governmental Organisation was principally to develop the uniform systems of law which apply to the carriage of passengers and freight in international through traffic by rail. These systems of law have been in existence for decades and are known as the CIV and CIM Uniform Rules.

Our mission includes: The development and advancement of both technical and practical knowledge and recommended practices pertaining to the design, construction and maintenance of railway infrastructure.

The American Train Dispatchers Association, one of the smallest unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO, has a lean structure, which nevertheless services its members well in their most important needs. Only six full-time officers, one appointed Director of Research and a small office staff provide representation in discipline and grievance handling, negotiate with railroads, both individually and collectively, arrange for legal assistance as needed, and engage in legislative activity on behalf of our craft and rail labor, in general.

An important part of AAR's mission is to work with elected officials and leaders in Washington, D.C. on critical rail transportation issues to ensure that the railroads meet America’s transportation needs today and in the future. The need for freight transportation is expected to skyrocket at the same time as Americans are looking for cleaner, healthier, more efficient solutions.

Railway trade unions in all European countries are facing the following developments in a different timing and to a different extent: Huge decrease in railway employment, job insecurity, outsourcing of activities, increase in work intensity, pressure on working conditions, demand for higher geographical flexibility and job flexibility. The ETF Railway Section works extensively in these areas. EU railway policy aims to create a single EU railway area and market and to increase the market share of rail transport within the transport sector.

The ITF believes that the starting point of railway restructuring must be to modernize the network and improve the quality of service offered to existing and potential users. Within this context there are three prerequisites to successful restructuring: full consultation with railway workers' unions; protection of jobs to the greatest possible extent; and, the improvement of safety standards.

UIC mission: to promote rail transport at world level and meet the challenges of mobility and sustainable development. Main UIC objectives: * facilitate the sharing of best practices among members (benchmarking) * support members in their efforts to develop new business and new areas of activities * propose new ways to improve technical and environmental performance * promote interoperability, create new world standards for railways (including common standards with other transport modes) * develop centres of competence (High Speed, Safety, Security, e-Business, …)

The mission of the National Association of Railroad Passengers is to work for a modern, customer-focused national passenger train network that provides a travel choice Americans want. NARP is the largest national membership advocacy organization for train and rail transit passengers. We have worked since 1967 to expand the quality and quantity of passenger rail in the United States. Our work is supported by over 23,000 individual members.

The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association, Inc. (NRC) is the only trade association organized specifically to serve the needs of railroad contractors, suppliers, and the entire railroad and rail transit construction industry. NRC's primary objective is to advance the mutual interests of its members and the railroad and rail transit construction industry by: Promoting, developing and protecting the railroad and rail transit construction industry; Promoting continuing education, and improvement of railroad and rail transit construction methods; Promoting and supporting high ethical standards and combating unfair practices; Promoting and improving communication between contractors and railroads, owners, public agencies, rail transit systems, engineers, and suppliers; Promoting and supporting legislation that furthers the railroad and rail transit construction business climate; Promoting safety by offering Roadway Worker Protection Training (FRA Approved, ASLRRA accepted) free to our members.

A Confidential Close Call Reporting System to improve railroad safety: C3RS is a partnership between railroad carriers, railroad labor organizations, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Includes Federal Railroad Administration regulations, safety bulletins, etc.; the Principles of light rail system safety; and Highway-Rail Grade Crossing safety materials.

As a Federal safety regulatory agency, the FRA is continually collecting and analyzing data, conducting research, and producing reports dealing with the railroad environment. Some publications are mandated by Congress, others are the product of joint ventures between different levels of government (e.g., Federal and State), and still others may be the result of earlier safety initiatives or research efforts.

Articles written by attorneys and experts worldwide discussing legal aspects related to Motor Vehicles Law including: auto dealer fraud, automobile accidents, automotive, bus accidents, lemon law, motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accident, railroad accidents, rollover accident, traffic violations, trucking accident.