998 
‘‘(1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than December 
31, 2021, the Northeast Corridor Commission estab-
lished under section 24905 (referred to in this section 
as the ‘Commission’) shall submit to Congress a stra-
tegic development plan that identifies key state-of- 
good-repair, capacity expansion, and capital im-
provement projects planned for the Northeast Cor-
ridor, to upgrade aging infrastructure and improve 
the reliability, capacity, connectivity, performance, 
and resiliency of passenger rail service on the North-
east Corridor. 
‘‘(2) 
CONTENTS.—The 
strategic 
development 
plan required under paragraph (1) shall— 
‘‘(A) provide a coordinated and consensus- 
based plan covering a period of 15 years; 
‘‘(B) identify service objectives and capital 
investments needs; 
‘‘(C) provide a delivery-constrained strategy 
that identifies capital investment phasing, an 
evaluation of workforce needs, and strategies for 
managing resources and mitigating construction 
impacts on operations; 
‘‘(D) include a financial strategy that iden-
tifies funding needs and potential sources and 
includes an economic impact analysis; and 
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‘‘(E) be updated at least every 5 years.’’; 
(5) in subsection (b) (as redesignated by para-
graph (3))— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Not later than’’ and all 
that follows through ‘‘shall’’ and inserting ‘‘Not 
later than November 1 of each year, the Commis-
sion shall’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)(A) by striking ‘‘a 
capital investment plan’’ and inserting ‘‘an an-
nual capital investment plan’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A) by striking 
‘‘and network optimization’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (B) by striking 
‘‘and service’’; 
(iii) in subparagraph (C) by striking 
‘‘first fiscal year after the date on which’’ 
and inserting ‘‘fiscal year during which’’; 
(iv) in subparagraph (D) by striking 
‘‘identify, prioritize,’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘and consider’’ and inserting ‘‘doc-
ument the projects and programs being un-
dertaken to achieve the service outcomes 
identified in the Northeast Corridor stra-
tegic development plan, once available, and 
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the asset condition needs identified in the 
Northeast Corridor asset management plans 
and consider’’; and 
(v) in subparagraph (E)(i) by striking 
‘‘normalized capital replacement and’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (3)(B) by striking ‘‘ex-
pected allocated shares of costs’’ and inserting 
‘‘status of cost sharing agreements’’; 
(6) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by para-
graph (3)) by striking ‘‘may be spent only on’’ and 
all that follows through the end and inserting ‘‘may 
be spent only on capital projects and programs con-
tained in the Commission’s capital investment plan 
from the previous year.’’; and 
(7) by striking subsections (d) and (e) and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(d) REVIEW AND COORDINATION.—The Commission 
shall gather information from Amtrak, the States in which 
the Northeast Corridor is located, and commuter rail au-
thorities to support development of the capital investment 
plan. The Commission may specify a format and other cri-
teria for the information submitted. Submissions to the 
plan from Amtrak, States in which the Northeast Corridor 
are located, and commuter rail authorities shall be provided 
to the Commission in a manner that allows for a reasonable 
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period of review by, and coordination with, affected agen-
cies. 
‘‘(e) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR ASSET MANAGEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) CONTENTS.—With regard to existing infra-
structure, Amtrak and other infrastructure owners 
that provide or support intercity rail passenger trans-
portation on the Northeast Corridor shall develop an 
asset management system, and use and update such 
system as necessary, to develop submissions to the 
Northeast Corridor capital investment plan described 
in subsection (b). Such system shall— 
‘‘(A) be consistent with the Federal Transit 
Administration process, as authorized under sec-
tion 5326, when implemented; and 
‘‘(B) include, at a minimum— 
‘‘(i) an inventory of all capital assets 
owned by the developer of the plan; 
‘‘(ii) an assessment of asset condition; 
‘‘(iii) a description of the resources 
and processes necessary to bring or main-
tain those assets in a state of good repair; 
and 
‘‘(iv) a description of changes in asset 
condition since the previous version of the 
plan.’’. 
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(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) ACCOUNTS.—Section 24317(d)(1) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (B) by striking 
‘‘24904(a)(2)(E)’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘24904(b)(2)(E)’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (F) by striking 
‘‘24904(b)’’ and inserting ‘‘24904(c)’’. 
(2) FEDERAL-STATE
PARTNERSHIP
FOR
STATE 
OF GOOD REPAIR.—Section 24911(e)(2) of title 49, 
United 
States 
Code, 
is 
amended 
by 
striking 
‘‘24904(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘24904(b)’’. 
SEC. 9303. PROTECTIVE ARRANGEMENTS. 
Section 22905 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(2)(B) by striking ‘‘that are 
equivalent to the protective arrangements established 
under section 504 of the Railroad Revitalization and 
Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (45 U.S.C. 836)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘established by the Secretary under sub-
section (e)(1)’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as 
subsections (f) and (g), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘(e) EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEE PROTECTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Railroad Administration 
shall establish protective arrangements equivalent to 
those established under section 504 of the Railroad 
Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 
(45 U.S.C. 836), and require such protective arrange-
ments to apply to employees described under sub-
section (c)(2)(B) and as required under subsection (j) 
of section 22907. 
‘‘(2) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall 
make available on a publicly available website the 
protective arrangements established under paragraph 
(1).’’. 
SEC. 9304. HIGH-SPEED RAIL FUNDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law and not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
reinstate any cooperative agreement terminated after Janu-
ary 1, 2019 that was originally entered into under the head-
ing ‘‘Capital Assistance for High Speed Rail Corridors and 
Intercity Passenger Rail Service’’ in the Department of 
Transportation Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 
111–117). 
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(b) INCLUSION.—The reinstatement under subsection 
(a) shall include the obligation to such agreement of all of 
the funds obligated to such agreement as of the date of ter-
mination of such agreement. 
(c) GRANT CONDITIONS.—The reinstatement under 
subsection (a) shall include all grant conditions required 
under such agreement, including section 22905(c)(2)(A) of 
title 49, United State Code, as of the date of termination 
of such agreement. 
TITLE IV—COMMUTER RAIL 
POLICY 
SEC. 9401. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD MEDIATION 
OF TRACKAGE USE REQUESTS. 
Section 28502 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 28502. Surface Transportation Board mediation of 
trackage use requests 
‘‘A rail carrier shall provide good faith consideration 
to a reasonable request from a provider of commuter rail 
passenger transportation for access to trackage and provi-
sion of related services. If, after a reasonable period of nego-
tiation, a public transportation authority cannot reach 
agreement with a rail carrier to use trackage of, and have 
related services provided by, the rail carrier for purposes 
of commuter rail passenger transportation, the public 
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transportation authority or the rail carrier may apply to 
the Board for nonbinding mediation. In any case in which 
dispatching for the relevant trackage is controlled by a rail 
carrier other than the trackage owner, both shall be subject 
to the requirements of this section and included in the 
Board’s mediation process. The Board shall conduct the 
nonbinding mediation in accordance with the mediation 
process of section 1109.4 of title 49, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, as in effect on the date of enactment of the TRAIN 
Act.’’. 
SEC. 9402. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD MEDIATION 
OF RIGHTS-OF-WAY USE REQUESTS. 
Section 28503 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 28503. Surface Transportation Board mediation of 
rights-of-way use requests 
‘‘A rail carrier shall provide good faith consideration 
to a reasonable request from a provider of commuter rail 
passenger transportation for access to rail right-of-way for 
the construction and operation of a segregated fixed guide-
way facility. If, after a reasonable period of negotiation, 
a public transportation authority cannot reach agreement 
with a rail carrier to acquire an interest in a railroad 
right-of-way for the construction and operation of a seg-
regated fixed guideway facility to provide commuter rail 
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passenger transportation, the public transportation author-
ity or the rail carrier may apply to the Board for non-
binding mediation. In any case in which dispatching for 
the relevant trackage is controlled by a rail carrier other 
than the right-of-way owner, both shall be subject to the re-
quirements of this section and included in the Board’s me-
diation process. The Board shall conduct the nonbinding 
mediation in accordance with the mediation process of sec-
tion 1109.4 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in 
effect on the date of enactment of the TRAIN Act.’’. 
SEC. 9403. CHICAGO UNION STATION IMPROVEMENT PLANS. 
(a) ONE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the conclusion of the Surface Transportation Board 
proceeding in the petition by Amtrak for a proceeding 
pursuant to section 24903(c)(2) of title 49, United 
States Code (Docket No. FD 36332), Amtrak and 
Metra shall enter into an agreement for a one-year 
capital improvement plan for Chicago Union Station. 
(2) EXTENSION.—The deadline under paragraph 
(1) may be extended with the consent of both Amtrak 
and Metra. 
(3) SUBMISSION OF PLAN.—Amtrak and Metra 
shall transmit the one-year capital improvement plan 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
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ture of the House of Representatives and Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate. 
(b) FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date on which Amtrak and Metra enter into the 
agreement under subsection (a), Amtrak shall enter 
into an agreement with Metra for a five-year capital 
improvement plan for Chicago Union Station. 
(2) EXTENSION.—The deadline required under 
paragraph (1) may be extended with the consent of 
both Amtrak and Metra. 
(3) SUBMISSION OF PLAN.—Amtrak and Metra 
shall transmit the five-year capital improvement plan 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate. 
(c) CONTENTS.—The capital improvement plans re-
quired under subsections (a) and (b) shall identify the 
projects that Amtrak and Metra agree to implement at Chi-
cago Union Station within the timeframe of each such plan, 
including projects that improve— 
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(1) areas considered outside the glass such as 
tracks, platforms switches, and other rail infrastruc-
ture; 
(2) facilities for Amtrak and Metra crew; and 
(3) the operations of Chicago Union Station, 
such as the dispatching of commuter and intercity 
passenger trains out of Chicago Union Station. 
(d) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT.—Not later than 1 
year after the date on which Amtrak and Metra enter into 
an agreement required under subsection (b), and annually 
thereafter for 5 years, Amtrak and Metra shall jointly sub-
mit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
describing the progress Amtrak and Metra have made in 
implementing the plan required under subsection (b). 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) CHICAGO UNION STATION.—The term ‘‘Chi-
cago Union Station’’ means the passenger train sta-
tion located at 225 South Canal Street, Chicago, Illi-
nois 60606, and its associated facilities. 
(2) METRA.—The term ‘‘Metra’’ means the 
Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Cor-
poration. 
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TITLE V—RAIL SAFETY 
Subtitle A—Passenger and Freight 
Safety 
SEC. 9501. NATIONAL ACADEMIES STUDY ON SAFETY IM-
PACT OF TRAINS LONGER THAN 7,500 FEET. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Transportation shall 
seek to enter into an agreement with the National Acad-
emies to conduct a study and issue to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the safety impacts 
of freight trains longer than 7,500 feet. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study conducted pursuant to sub-
section (a) shall include— 
(1) an examination of any potential risks of the 
operation of such trains and recommendations on 
mitigation of such risks; 
(2) among other safety factors with respect to 
such trains, an evaluation of— 
(A) any increased risk of loss of commu-
nications between the end of train device and the 
locomotive cab, including communications over 
differing terrains and conditions; 
(B) any increased risk of loss of commu-
nications between crewmembers, including com-
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munications over differing terrains and condi-
tions; 
(C) any increased risk of derailments, in-
cluding risks associated with in-train compres-
sive forces and slack action or other safety risks 
in the operations of such trains in differing ter-
rains and conditions; 
(D) safety risks associated with the deploy-
ment of multiple distributed power units in the 
consists of such trains; and 
(E) impacts of the length of trains on brak-
ing and locomotive performance and track wear 
and tear; and 
(3) an evaluation of whether additional engineer 
and conductor training is required for safely oper-
ating such trains. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 24 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
results of the study. 
(d) FUNDING.—From the amounts made available for 
fiscal year 2021 to carry out section 20117(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, the Secretary shall expend not less than 
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$1,000,000 and not more than $2,000,000 to carry out the 
study required under subsection (a). 
SEC. 9502. GAO STUDY ON CHANGES IN FREIGHT RAILROAD 
OPERATING AND SCHEDULING PRACTICES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall study the impact on freight rail shippers, Am-
trak, commuter railroads, railroad employees, and other af-
fected parties of changes in freight railroad operating and 
scheduling practices as a result of the implementation of 
the precision scheduled railroading model. 
(b) CONTENTS.—At minimum, the study shall exam-
ine— 
(1) the impacts of the operation of longer trains; 
(2) safety impacts of reduction in workforce, in-
cluding occupational injury rates, impacts to inspec-
tion frequencies and repair quality, and changes in 
workforce demands; 
(3) the elimination or downsizing of yards, re-
pair facilities, and other operational facilities; 
(4) increases in demurrage or accessorial charges 
or other costs to shippers; 
(5) capital expenditures for rail infrastructure; 
and 
(6) the effect of changes to dispatching practices 
and locations of dispatching centers on— 
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(A) the on-time performance of passenger 
trains, and 
(B) the quality and reliability of service to 
freight shippers. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
summarizing the study and the results of such study, in-
cluding recommendations for addressing any negative im-
pacts of precision scheduled railroading on freight shippers 
or passenger railroads. 
SEC. 9503. FRA SAFETY REPORTING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 20901 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘(including the train 
length, the number of crew members on board the train, and 
the duties of such crew members)’’ after ‘‘reported accident 
or incident’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry 
out the amendment made by subsection (a). 
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SEC. 9504. WAIVER NOTICE REQUIREMENTS. 
Section 20103(d) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(d) NONEMERGENCY WAIVERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may waive 
compliance with any part of a regulation prescribed 
or order issued under this chapter if the waiver is in 
the public interest and consistent with railroad safety. 
‘‘(2) NOTICE REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) provide timely public notice of any re-
quest for a waiver under this subsection; 
‘‘(B) make the application for such waiver 
and any related underlying data available to in-
terested parties; 
‘‘(C) provide the public with notice and a 
reasonable opportunity to comment on a pro-
posed waiver under this subsection before making 
a final decision; and 
‘‘(D) make public the reasons for granting 
a waiver under this subsection. 
‘‘(3) INFORMATION
PROTECTION.—Nothing in 
this subsection shall be construed to require the release 
of information protected by law from public disclo-
sure.’’. 
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SEC. 9505. NOTICE OF FRA COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY AS-
SESSMENTS. 
(a) INITIAL NOTICE.—Not later than 10 business days 
after the Federal Railroad Administration initiates a com-
prehensive safety assessment of an entity providing regu-
larly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger trans-
portation, the Federal Railroad Administration shall notify 
in electronic format the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate, and each member of Congress representing a State 
in which the service that is the subject of the assessment 
being conducted is located, of the initiation of such assess-
ment. 
(b) FINDINGS.—Not later than 90 days after comple-
tion of a comprehensive safety assessment described in sub-
section (a), the Federal Railroad Administration shall 
transmit in electronic format to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate, and to each member of Congress 
representing a State in which the service that is the subject 
of the assessment being conducted is located, the findings 
of such assessment, including identified defects and any rec-
ommendations. 
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(c) DEFINITION OF COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY ASSESS-
MENT.—In this section, the term ‘‘comprehensive safety as-
sessment’’ means a focused review of the safety-related proc-
esses and procedures, compliance with safety regulations 
and requirements, and overall safety culture of an entity 
providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail 
passenger transportation. 
SEC. 9506. FRA ACCIDENT AND INCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS. 
Section 20902 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘subpena’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subpoena’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) GATHERING INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL EX-
PERTISE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall create a 
standard process for investigators to use during acci-
dent and incident investigations conducted under this 
section for determining when it is appropriate to, and 
how to— 
‘‘(A) gather information about an accident 
or incident under investigation from railroad 
carriers, contractors or employees of railroad 
carriers or representatives of employees of rail-
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road carriers, and others, as determined relevant 
by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(B) consult with railroad carriers, contrac-
tors or employees of railroad carriers or rep-
resentatives of employees of railroad carriers, 
and others, as determined relevant by the Sec-
retary, for technical expertise on the facts of the 
accident or incident under investigation. 
‘‘(2) CONFIDENTIALITY.—In developing the proc-
ess under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall factor in 
ways to maintain the confidentiality of any entity 
identified under paragraph (1) if— 
‘‘(A) such entity requests confidentiality; 
‘‘(B) such entity was not involved in the ac-
cident or incident; and 
‘‘(C) maintaining such entity’s confiden-
tiality does not adversely affect an investigation 
of the Federal Railroad Administration. 
‘‘(3) APPLICATION
OF
LAW.—This subsection 
shall not apply to any investigation carried out by 
the National Transportation Safety Board.’’. 
SEC. 9507. RAIL SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION REQUIRE-
MENTS.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enact-
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1017 
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
carry out the following: 
(1) Complete a study on how signage can be used 
to improve safety in the rail industry that includes— 
(A) a review of how signs used for other 
modes of transportation may be effectively used 
in the rail industry; 
(B) a review of how signs used in the rail-
road industry differ; and 
(C) an analysis of whether a uniform sys-
tem for speed signs across the United States rail 
system would benefit the railroad industry and 
improve safety. 
(2) Reevaluate seat securement mechanisms and 
the susceptibility of such mechanisms to inadvertent 
rotation, and identify a means to prevent the failure 
of such mechanisms to maintain seat securement. 
(3) Conduct research to evaluate the causes of 
passenger injuries in passenger railcar derailments 
and overturns and evaluate potential methods for 
mitigating such injuries. 
(4) Based on the research conducted under para-
graph (3), develop occupant protection standards for 
passenger railcars that will mitigate passenger inju-
ries likely to occur during derailments and overturns. 
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(5) Develop policies for the safe use of child seats 
to prevent uncontrolled or unexpected movements in 
intercity passenger trains from disrupting the secure 
position of such seats. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR AMTRAK.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, Amtrak 
shall— 
(1) ensure operating crewmembers demonstrate 
proficiency, under daylight and nighttime conditions, 
on the physical characteristics of a territory by using 
all resources available, including in-cab instruments, 
observation rides, throttle time, signage, signals, and 
landmarks; 
(2) ensure the proficiency required under para-
graph (1) is demonstrated on written examinations; 
(3) revise classroom and road training programs 
to ensure that operating crews fully understand all lo-
comotive operating characteristics, alarms, and the 
appropriate response to abnormal conditions; 
(4) when possible, require that all engineers un-
dergo simulator training— 
(A) before operating new or unfamiliar 
equipment (at a minimum, experience and re-
spond properly to all alarms); and 
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(B) to experience normal and abnormal 
conditions on new territory before operating in 
revenue service on such new territory; 
(5) ensure that simulator training specified in 
paragraph (4) supplements the hours engineers spend 
training on new equipment before becoming certified 
on such equipment and performing runs on new terri-
tory before becoming qualified on such territory; 
(6) implement a formal, systematic approach to 
developing training and qualification programs to 
identify the most effective strategies for preparing 
crewmembers to safely operate new equipment on new 
territories; 
(7) work in consultation with host railroad car-
riers and States that own infrastructure over which 
Amtrak operates to complete a comprehensive assess-
ment of the territories to ensure that necessary way-
side signs and plaques are identified, highly notice-
able, and strategically located to provide operating 
crews the information needed to safely operate trains; 
(8) update the safety review process to ensure 
that all operating documents are up to date and accu-
rate before initiating new or revised revenue oper-
ations; 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Title IV of division A of the 
Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 
110–432) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SEC. 421. SAFETY STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN RAIL CREWS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
may not permit covered rail employees to enter the United 
States to perform train or dispatching service unless the 
Secretary certifies that— 
‘‘(1) Mexico has adopted and is enforcing safety 
standards for covered rail employees that are equiva-
lent to, or greater than, those applicable to railroad 
employees whose primary reporting point is in the 
United States, including qualification and certifi-
cation requirements under parts 240 and 242 of title 
49, Code of Federal Regulations; 
‘‘(2) covered rail employees are subject to the al-
cohol and drug testing requirements in part 219 of 
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, including the 
requirements of subparts F, G, and H of such part, 
to the same extent as such requirements apply to rail-
road employees whose primary reporting point is in 
the United States and who are subject to such part; 
‘‘(3) covered rail employees are subject to hours 
of service requirements under section 21103 of title 
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