FRA Archives

March 19, 2025
Passenger

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, NCDOT, North Texas Commuter Rail, Santa Clara VTA

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) average daily ridership in February 2025 increases from last year. Also, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) considers a temporary station at Charlotte Gateway Station; three North Texas agencies could combine commuter rail operations; and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is denied a bid for a temporary restraining order to stop an ongoing strike.

March 07, 2025
Regulatory

Duffy Urges D.C. Leaders to Improve Transportation Safety

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy on March 6 took action to urge Washington, D.C., leaders to improve the safety and security of the city’s transportation systems. In a series of letters,

March 06, 2025
Regulatory

New FRA Data Confirms Rail Safety Progress

Newly released 2024 data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) confirms that “continued investment in innovation, infrastructure, and workforce expertise are making rail transportation even safer,” the Association of American Railroads (AAR)

February 19, 2025
Regulatory

New FRA Report Assesses Real-Time Crossing Information System Safety Benefits

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently released a report that assesses the benefits of a real-time railroad crossing information system for first responders.

February 11, 2025
Passenger

Transit Briefs: Brightline West, DART, Amtrak/MDOT, MDOT

Construction on Brightline West could get under way this year. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) announces a streamlined fare structure; Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) eye Michigan Central for a new train station; and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) launches a grant program for small businesses along the Purple Line.

Commentary

February 11, 2025
Freight

To Electrify—or Not?

On Jan. 15, 2025, the Federal Railroad Administration released on its website the final report titled Cost and Benefit Risk Framework for Modern Railway Electrification Options (download below). The report is based

February 10, 2025
Commuter/Regional

MBTA: South Coast Rail Service to Begin March 24

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has announced that South Coast Rail passenger service will begin March 24, 2025, pending final approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). For the first time

January 31, 2025
Regulatory

NTSB Issues Preliminary Report for December 2024 UP Train Collision

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Jan. 30 released a preliminary report for its ongoing investigation of the Dec. 18, 2024, Union Pacific (UP) train collision with a highway vehicle at a highway-railroad grade crossing Pecos, Texas.

January 30, 2025
Regulatory

SECDOT Day One Orders Rescind POTUS 46 Policies

Newly confirmed U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Jan. 29 (his first full day on the job) issued three Orders the agency said in a press release are in keeping with POTUS

January 28, 2025
Safety

NCRR, NC State Team on Grade Crossing Safety Training

A $3 million Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant will go toward planning a new training and education program in North Carolina that’s aimed at improving safety and reducing accidents at highway/rail grade crossings.