A friend and colleague sent the following letter to, among others, Dr. Amanda Emo, Fatigue Program Manager, Risk Reduction Program Division, Office of Safety Analysis, Federal Railroad Administration, regarding obstructive sleep apnea (OSA):
The Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have withdrawn a proposed rule that would have regulated actions addressing sleep apnea for workers in safety-sensitive positions.
Confirmation of career-railroader Ronald L. Batory as Federal Railroad Administrator has been delayed by New Jersey and New York’s Senate delegation—Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Kirsten Gillibrand ((D-N.Y.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.)—over what they say is concern that the federal government will not provide funding for the Gateway Project.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that formally adopts the Federal Railroad Administration‘s (FRA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Portal Bridge Project on the Northeast Corridor.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation on Aug. 2 favorably recommended, by voice vote, the appointment of Ronald L. Batory as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has authorized initiation of Revenue Service Demonstration (RSD) operations for Positive Train Control (PTC) on North County Transit District (NCTD) Coaster trains, including revenue (passenger-carrying) trains, on the San Diego subdivision.
The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee released the Fiscal Year 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) funding bill July 10. The bill, expected to undergo subcommittee markup July 11, reduces total discretionary spending and eliminates certain grant programs, but exceeds amounts requested by President Trump.
The White House on July 11 announced that President Donald Trump has nominated Ronald L. Batory, who recently retired as President and Chief Operating Officer of Conrail, as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.
Legislation to improve rail safety through amplified use of the free-market forces of competition and innovation has been introduced in the Senate by Surface Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).
The Federal Railroad Administration has named public relations practitioner Heath Hall as Deputy Federal Railroad Administrator, a post that does not require Senate confirmation. Hall will serve as Acting Administrator and is known to USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao from her days with the Deputy DOT Secretary’s office and the Peace Corps.