Passenger Train Derailment Prevention Act

To provide for the identification of certain dangerous railroad locations, and for the safety of passenger operations at such locations. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Passenger Train Derailment Prevention Act 2. Dangerous railroad locations (a) Amendment Subchapter II of chapter 201 20168. Dangerous railroad locations. (a) Identification Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Passenger Train Derailment Prevention Act (b) Safety regulations Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Passenger Train Derailment Prevention Act (1) each entity providing regularly scheduled intercity rail passenger transportation or commuter rail passenger transportation, as defined in section 24102, using a train equipped with an automatic train control system modify such system to automatically slow down the train if it fails to comply with applicable maximum authorized speed limits at the locations identified under subsection (a); (2) each entity providing regularly scheduled intercity rail passenger transportation or commuter rail passenger transportation, as defined in section 24102, using a train not equipped with an automatic train control system provide that the train movement through the locations identified under subsection (a) be made— (A) with a second qualified crewmember in the cab of the controlling locomotive; or (B) with constant communication between the locomotive engineer and an additional qualified and designated crewmember in the body of the train; and (3) each railroad carrier on whose tracks regularly scheduled intercity rail passenger transportation or commuter rail passenger transportation is conducted install additional wayside signage along the carrier’s tracks where such transportation is conducted alerting engineers and conductors of the maximum authorized passenger train speed, particularly at the locations identified under subsection (a). (c) Alternative safety measures The Secretary may exempt from the requirements of this section any segment of track for which operations are governed by a positive train control system certified under section 20157 or any other safety technology or practice that would achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety in reducing derailment risk. . (b) Table of sections amendment The table of sections for subchapter II of chapter 201 Sec. 20168. Dangerous railroad locations. .

Summary: Passenger Train Derailment Prevention Act This bill requires each railroad carrier on whose tracks an entity provides regularly scheduled intercity rail passenger transportation or commuter rail passenger transportation to submit to the Department of Transportation (DOT) a list identifying each curve, bridge, tunnel, or other location where the maximum authorized operating speed for such a passenger train is at least 20 miles per hour less than the maximum approach speed. DOT must provide such information, along with a list of any additional track locations that DOT identifies as dangerous, to specified congressional committees. DOT shall exercise its emergency authority to require: each such entity using a train equipped with an automatic train control system to modify such system to automatically slow down the train if it fails to comply with applicable maximum authorized speed limits at such locations, each such entity using a train not equipped with such system to provide that the train movement through such locations be made with a second qualified crew member in the cab of the controlling locomotive or with constant communication between the locomotive engineer and an additional crew member in the body of the train, and each such railroad carrier to install additional wayside signage along the carrier's tracks alerting engineers and conductors of the maximum authorized passenger train speed. DOT may exempt from these requirements any segment of track for which operations are governed by a certified positive train control system or equivalent safety technology.