USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                        About FRAAbout FRA
  

        
              Overview
                Organization
                Program Offices
                Resource Center
                Web Policies and Notices
                Contact Us
                Communications
                Governmental AffairsFeatured
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Information from FRA
                Careers
                Leadership Profiles
                Organizational Chart
                Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches
                Fact Sheets
                TestimonyRailroad SafetyFeatured
  

        
              Train Horn Rule/Quiet Zones
                Public Blocked Crossings Incident Reporter
                Drug & Alcohol
                Safety Data
                C3RS
                High-Hazard Flammable Train Route AssessmentRailroad Safety
  

        
              Overview
                Railroad Crossing Safety & Trespass Prevention
                Accident Data & Reporting, Investigations
                Divisions
                Partnerships & ProgramsRail Network DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              High-Speed Rail
                Amtrak
                Environmental Reviews
                GIS Maps
                RuralRail Network Development
  

        
              Overview
                Passenger Rail
                Freight Rail
                Environment
                Planning
                International
                Maps & Data
                Training & GuidanceResearch & DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              R&D Current Projects
                Positive Train Control
                Hazardous Materials
                Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
                Close Call Reporting
                Broad Agency AnnouncementResearch & Development
  

        
              Overview
                Program Areas
                R&D ReportsLegislation & RegulationsFeatured
  

        
              FAST Act
                National Rail Plan
                Proposed State Rail Plan
                Civil PenaltiesLegislation & Regulations
  

        
              Overview
                Legislation
                Regulations & Rulemaking
                Buy AmericaGrants & LoansFeatured
  

        
              FRA Discretionary Grant Program Tool
                Discretionary Grant Calendar
                Railroad Capital Project Guidance
                FRA Webinars
                DOT GrantsGrants & Loans
  

        
              Overview
                Grant Programs
                Applying for Grants
                Resources for Grant Recipients
                Training & GuidanceFRA eLibraryeLibrary
  

        
              Accidents & Fatalities
                Compliance
                Conferences & Presentations
                Emergency & Safety
                Enforcement & Litigation
                Publications & Policy
                Reports
                OtherMenu Home
                        Railroad Safety
                        Divisions
                        Safety Partnerships


            
            In This Section
        Divisions
                Bridges and Structures Safety
                                Overview
                FAST Act Bridge Inspection Report Requests
                Business Operations and Strategy
                Drug and Alcohol
                                Overview
                Post-Accident Determination App
                Hazardous Materials
                Highway-Rail Crossing and Trespasser Programs
                Industrial Hygiene
                Motive Power and Equipment
                Operating Practices
                                Overview
                FRA Review of Railroad Certification Decisions
                Hours of Service Mobile Application
                Passenger Rail
                                Overview
                FRA’s Action Plan for Improving Safety at Metro-North Commuter Railroad
                System Safety Program
                Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness
                Positive Train Control
                                Overview
                More About PTC Systems
                PTC Annual and Quarterly Reports
                Rail Integrity
                                Overview
                Continuous Welded Rail (CWR)
                Railroad Safety Technical Training Standards
                Risk Reduction Program
                Safety Partnerships
                                Overview
                C3RS
                Rail Share
                Railroad Information Sharing Environment (RISE)
                Training Standards Rule
                Security, Preparedness, Accident Reporting and Analysis
                                Overview
                Accident Investigation
                Signal, Train Control and Crossings
                State Safety Participation Program
                Track
                
                Safety Partnerships Division
    

    
    
          The Safety Partnerships Division (SPD) manages a portfolio of railroad safety partnership programs designed to increase organizational resilience in the railroad industry. SPD manages and coordinates nationwide voluntary programs including Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-Way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES), Switching Operations Fatality Analysis (SOFA), Railroad Information Share Environment (RISE), Electric Traction (ET), and Behavior Based Safety (BBS). Stakeholders include railroads, railroad labor, railroad associations, Volpe Center, academia, and FRA.  SPD coordinates and manages interests and experience between cross-functional stakeholders to improve railroad safety, protecting the lives of railroad employees and the public.

SPD is responsible for overall management and oversight of the Minimum Training Standards Regulation for safety-related railroad employees. Management of voluntary programs as well as regulatory programs impact all railroads (freight and passenger/commuter) nationwide. Minimum Training Program oversight responsibilities entail legislatively mandated review and approval of training programs developed by railroads, railroad contractors, training organizations, learning institutions, and associations used to qualify and train safety-related railroad employees on Federal laws, regulations, and orders.

SPD maintains lines of communication and working partnerships with the scientific and academic communities regarding human and organizational behavior and adult learning techniques. SPD also coordinates with the Office of Railroad Policy and Development and the Volpe Center on applying research theory to complex issues with the goal of recommending practical solutions to the railroad industry.
              3
      
    
          Last updated: Thursday, February 17, 2022 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Railroad Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About Us
  

        
              About FRA
                Careers
                Contact Us
                FRA Civil Rights
                Doing Business with FRA
                Grants and Financial Assistance
                Safety Management TeamsAreas of Interest
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
                Safety Data
                Buy America
                Operation Lifesaver
                Railroad Safety Advisory Committee
                FRA Secure Area
                Proactive DisclosureI Am A...
  

        
              Railroad Traveler
                Railroad Inspector
                Reporter
                Educator/StudentPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web Standards