The Federal Railroad Administration published a notice of proposed rulemaking requiring certain railroads to supplement visual inspections by operating a Track Geometry Measurement System at specified minimum frequencies on certain track types.
The rule would also set timeframes by which the railroads must act to remediate any track defects identified.
Specifically, Class I and II railroads, as well as intercity passenger railroads and commuter railroads, would have to meet specified inspection frequencies on mainline and controlled siding track that transports annual tonnage greater than 10 million gross tons, regularly scheduled passenger rail service, or trains containing hazardous materials.
“TGMS technology, developed through an FRA-led research effort in collaboration with the rail industry, has been proven to quickly and accurately detect small changes in track geometry, and this proposed rulemaking would codify a standard for TGMS inspection frequencies to ensure that railroads live up to their safety responsibilities, now and in the future,” FRA Administrator Amit Bose said in a statement.
“Workers performing visual inspections remain essential, as visual inspections check for numerous conditions beyond the scope of track geometry,” Bose added. “By requiring TGMS inspections in addition to the currently required visual inspections, FRA proposes to enhance safety while promoting innovation through the use of technology.”
In addition to setting inspection frequencies and timeframes to address detected defects, the NPRM proposes recordkeeping and training requirements for TGMS inspections and minimum requirements for what must be included in TGMS reports.
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