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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. (Credits: http://www.fra.dot.gov/us)
As an employee, if you have a question regarding FRA Regulations you have one of three options. You may: (1) look them up personally by clicking the link below, which has the complete FRA Regulations pertaining to Railroad Operations, (2) call 1-800-724-5993 and ask to spaeak to an inspector for your region/state, (3) contact your local Legistlative Representative to research and make contact with the appropriate people. If you wish to contact UTU L1263's Legislative Representatives please contact Richard Youmans Jr. at 229-834-4345 (email rayoumans@L1263.org) or Robert Tucker at (email rmtucker@L1263.org) and they will be glad to assist you.
Title 49--Transportation:CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
49 CFR Parts 222 and 229
Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings; Final Rule
SUMMARY: On December 18, 2003, FRA published an internal final rule that required that the locomotive horn be sounded while trains approach and enter public highway-rail grade crossings. The interim final rulec contained an exception to the above requirement in circumstances in which there is not a significant risk of loss of life or serious personal injury, use of the locomotive horn is impractical, or safety measures fully compensate for the absence of the warning provided by the locomotive horn. Communities that qualify for this exception may create ``quiet zones'' within which locomotive horns would not be routinely sounded. The final rule issued today amendscertain provisions of the interim final rule to facilitate the development of quiet zones, while balancing the needs of railroads, States and local communities.
DATES:
The effective date is June 23, 2005. However, public authorities may begin to provide quiet zone-related documentation
to FRA and other parties 30 days after April 27, 2005. This final rule supercedes the interim final rule, which was published
on December 18, 2003. Therefore, the interim final rule will not take effect.
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Ries, Office of Safety, FRA, 1120
Vermont Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: 202-493-6299); or Kathryn Shelton, Office
of Chief Counsel, FRA, 1120 Vermont Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: 202-493-6038).
