H. R. 22—362 
(A) the types of materials, assets, and equipment that 
are regularly purchased by Amtrak and such authorities 
that are similar and could be jointly procured; 
(B) the potential benefits of such joint procurements, 
including lower procurement costs, better pricing, greater 
market relevancy, and other efficiencies; 
(C) the potential costs of such joint procurements; 
(D) any significant impediments to undertaking joint 
procurements, including any necessary harmonization and 
reconciliation of Federal and State procurement or safety 
regulations or standards and other requirements; and 
(E) whether to create Federal incentives or require-
ments relating to considering or carrying out joint procure-
ments when expending Federal funds. 
(3) TRANSMISSION.—Not later than 60 days after completing 
the study required under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report 
that includes— 
(A) the results of the study; and 
(B) any recommendations for further action. 
(c) NORTHEAST CORRIDOR.—In this section, the term ‘‘Northeast 
Corridor’’ means the Northeast Corridor main line between Boston, 
Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia, and the Northeast 
Corridor branch lines connecting to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 
Springfield, Massachusetts, and Spuyten Duyvil, New York, 
including the facilities and services used to operate and maintain 
those lines. 
SEC. 11313. DATA AND ANALYSIS. 
(a) DATA.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Surface Transpor-
tation Board, Amtrak, freight railroads, State and local govern-
ments, and regional business, tourism, and economic development 
agencies shall conduct a data needs assessment to— 
(1) support the development of an efficient and effective 
intercity passenger rail network; 
(2) identify the data needed to conduct cost-effective mod-
eling and analysis for intercity passenger rail development 
programs; 
(3) determine limitations to the data used for inputs; 
(4) develop a strategy to address such limitations; 
(5) identify barriers to accessing existing data; 
(6) develop recommendations regarding whether the 
authorization of additional data collection for intercity pas-
senger rail travel is warranted; and 
(7) determine which entities should be responsible for 
generating or collecting needed data. 
(b) BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enhance 
the usefulness of assessments of benefits and costs for intercity 
passenger rail and freight rail projects by— 
(1) providing ongoing guidance and training on developing 
benefit and cost information for rail projects;
H. R. 22—363 
(2) providing more direct and consistent requirements for 
assessing benefits and costs across transportation funding pro-
grams, including the appropriate use of discount rates; 
(3) requiring applicants to clearly communicate the method-
ology used to calculate the project benefits and costs, including 
non-proprietary information on— 
(A) assumptions underlying calculations; 
(B) strengths and limitations of data used; and 
(C) the level of uncertainty in estimates of project 
benefits and costs; and 
(4) ensuring that applicants receive clear and consistent 
guidance on values to apply for key assumptions used to esti-
mate potential project benefits and costs. 
(c) CONFIDENTIAL DATA.—The Secretary shall protect all sen-
sitive and confidential information to the greatest extent permitted 
by law. Nothing in this section shall require any entity to provide 
information to the Secretary in the absence of a voluntary agree-
ment. 
SEC. 11314. AMTRAK INSPECTOR GENERAL. 
(a) AUTHORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Inspector General of Amtrak shall 
have the authority available to other Inspectors General, as 
necessary in carrying out the duties specified in the Inspector 
General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), to investigate any alleged 
violation of sections 286, 287, 371, 641, 1001, 1002 and 1516 
of title 18, United States Code. 
(2) AGENCY.—For purposes of sections 286, 287, 371, 641, 
1001, 1002, and 1516 of title 18, United States Code, Amtrak 
and the Amtrak Office of Inspector General, shall be considered 
a corporation in which the United States has a proprietary 
interest as set forth in section 6 of such title. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—The Inspector General of Amtrak shall— 
(1) not later than 60 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, initiate an assessment to determine whether current 
expenditures or procurements involving Amtrak’s fulfillment 
of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 
et seq.) utilize competitive, market-driven provisions that are 
applicable throughout the entire term of such related expendi-
tures or procurements; and 
(2) not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives the assessment under paragraph (1). 
(c) LIMITATION.—The authority provided by subsection (a) shall 
be effective only with respect to a fiscal year for which Amtrak 
receives a Federal subsidy. 
SEC. 11315. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 
(a) TITLE 49 AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) AUTHORITY.—Section 22702(b)(4) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘5 years for reapproval 
by the Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘4 years for acceptance by 
the Secretary’’. 
(2) CONTENTS OF STATE RAIL PLANS.—Section 22705(a) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph 
(12).
H. R. 22—364 
(b) PASSENGER
RAIL
INVESTMENT
AND
IMPROVEMENT
ACT 
AMENDMENTS.—Section 305 of the Passenger Rail Investment and 
Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 24101 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by inserting after ‘‘equipment manufac-
turers,’’ the following: ‘‘nonprofit organizations representing 
employees who perform overhaul and maintenance of passenger 
railroad equipment,’’; 
(2) in subsection (c) by striking ‘‘, and may establish a 
corporation, which may be owned or jointly-owned by Amtrak, 
participating States, or other entities, to perform these func-
tions’’; and 
(3) in subsection (e) by striking ‘‘and establishing a jointly- 
owned corporation to manage that equipment’’. 
(c) CERTAIN PROJECTS.—A project described in 1307(a)(3) of 
SAFETEA–LU (Public Law 109–59) may be eligible for the Railroad 
Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program if the Secretary 
determines such project meets the requirements of sections 502 
and 503 of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act 
of 1976. 
(d) CLARIFICATION.— 
(1) AMENDMENT.—Section 20157(g) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) CLARIFICATION.— 
‘‘(A) PROHIBITIONS.—The Secretary is prohibited from— 
‘‘(i) approving or disapproving a revised plan sub-
mitted under subsection (a)(1); 
‘‘(ii) considering a revised plan under subsection 
(a)(1) as a request for amendment under section 
236.1021 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations; or 
‘‘(iii) requiring the submission, as part of the 
revised plan under subsection (a)(1), of— 
‘‘(I) only a schedule and sequence under sub-
section (a)(2)(A)(iii)(VII); or 
‘‘(II) both a schedule and sequence under sub-
section 
(a)(2)(A)(iii)(VII) 
and 
an 
alternative 
schedule and sequence under subsection (a)(2)(B). 
‘‘(B) CIVIL PENALTY AUTHORITY.—Except as provided 
in paragraph (2) and this paragraph, nothing in this sub-
section shall be construed to limit the Secretary’s authority 
to assess civil penalties pursuant to subsection (e), con-
sistent with the requirements of this section. 
‘‘(C) RETAINED
REVIEW
AUTHORITY.—The Secretary 
retains the authority to review revised plans submitted 
under subsection (a)(1) and is authorized to require modi-
fications of those plans to the extent necessary to ensure 
that such plans include the descriptions under subsection 
(a)(2)(A)(i), the contents under subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii), and 
the year or years, totals, and summary under subsection 
(a)(2)(A)(iii)(I) through (VI).’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 20157(g)(3) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘by paragraph 
(2) and subsection (k)’’ and inserting ‘‘to conform with this 
section’’.
H. R. 22—365 
SEC. 11316. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. 
(a) ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES OF PASSENGERS INVOLVED IN RAIL 
PASSENGER ACCIDENTS.—Section 1139 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘phone number’’ and 
inserting ‘‘telephone number’’; 
(2) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ‘‘post trauma commu-
nication with families’’ and inserting ‘‘post-trauma communica-
tion with families’’; and 
(3) in subsection (j), by striking ‘‘railroad passenger 
accident’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘rail passenger 
accident’’. 
(b) SOLID WASTE RAIL TRANSFER FACILITY LAND-USE EXEMP-
TION.—Section 10909 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘Clean Railroad Act of 2008’’ and inserting 
‘‘Clean Railroads Act of 2008’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘Upon the granting of 
petition from the State’’ and inserting ‘‘Upon the granting of 
a petition from the State’’. 
(c) RULEMAKING PROCESS.—Section 20116 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(2)’’ before ‘‘the code, rule, standard, 
requirement, or practice has been subject to notice and comment 
under a rule or order issued under this part.’’ and indenting 
accordingly; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘unless’’ and indenting accord-
ingly; 
(3) in paragraph (1), as redesignated, by striking ‘‘order, 
or’’ and inserting ‘‘order; or’’; and 
(4) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), as redesignated, 
by striking ‘‘unless’’ and inserting ‘‘unless—’’. 
(d) ENFORCEMENT REPORT.—Section 20120(a) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘website’’ and inserting ‘‘Web site’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘accident and incidence 
reporting’’ and inserting ‘‘accident and incident reporting’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2)(G), by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
and 
(4) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking ‘‘Administrative Hearing 
Officer or Administrative Law Judge’’ and inserting ‘‘adminis-
trative hearing officer or administrative law judge’’. 
(e) RAILROAD
SAFETY
RISK
REDUCTION
PROGRAM.—Section 
20156 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c), by inserting a comma after ‘‘In devel-
oping its railroad safety risk reduction program’’; and 
(2) in subsection (g)(1)— 
(A) by inserting a comma after ‘‘good faith’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘non-profit’’ and inserting ‘‘nonprofit’’. 
(f) ROADWAY USER SIGHT DISTANCE AT HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE 
CROSSINGS.—Section 20159 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘the Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘the Secretary 
of Transportation’’. 
(g) NATIONAL CROSSING INVENTORY.—Section 20160 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended—
H. R. 22—366 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘concerning each pre-
viously unreported crossing through which it operates or with 
respect to the trackage over which it operates’’ and inserting 
‘‘concerning each previously unreported crossing through which 
it operates with respect to the trackage over which it operates’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by striking ‘‘concerning each 
crossing through which it operates or with respect to the track-
age over which it operates’’ and inserting ‘‘concerning each 
crossing through which it operates with respect to the trackage 
over which it operates’’. 
(h) MINIMUM
TRAINING
STANDARDS
AND
PLANS.—Section 
20162(a)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘railroad compliance with Federal standards’’ and inserting ‘‘rail-
road carrier compliance with Federal standards’’. 
(i) DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF RAIL SAFETY TECHNOLOGY.— 
Section 20164(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘after enactment of the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act 
of 2008’’ and inserting ‘‘after the date of enactment of the Rail 
Safety Improvement Act of 2008’’. 
(j) RAIL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2008.— 
(1) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—Section 1(b) of division A of the 
Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–432; 
122 Stat. 4848) is amended— 
(A) in the item relating to section 307 by striking 
‘‘website’’ and inserting ‘‘Web site’’; 
(B) in the item relating to title VI by striking ‘‘solid 
waste facilities’’ and inserting ‘‘solid waste rail transfer 
facilities’’; and 
(C) in the item relating to section 602 by striking 
‘‘solid waste transfer facilities’’ and inserting ‘‘solid waste 
rail transfer facilities’’. 
(2) DEFINITIONS.—Section 2(a)(1) of division A of the Rail 
Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–432; 122 
Stat. 4849) is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by inserting a comma after ‘‘at grade’’. 
(3) RAILROAD SAFETY STRATEGY.—Section 102(a)(6) of title 
I of division A of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 
(49 U.S.C. 20101 note) is amended by striking ‘‘Improving the 
safety of railroad bridges, tunnels, and related infrastructure 
to prevent accidents, incidents, injuries, and fatalities caused 
by catastrophic failures and other bridge and tunnel failures.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Improving the safety of railroad bridges, tunnels, 
and related infrastructure to prevent accidents, incidents, 
injuries, and fatalities caused by catastrophic and other failures 
of such infrastructure.’’. 
(4) OPERATION LIFESAVER.—Section 206(a) of title II of divi-
sion A of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 
22501 note) is amended by striking ‘‘Public Service Announce-
ments’’ and inserting ‘‘public service announcements’’. 
(5) UPDATE OF FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION’S WEB 
SITE.—Section 307 of title III of division A of the Rail Safety 
Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 103 note) is amended— 
(A) in the heading by striking ‘‘FEDERAL RAILROAD 
ADMINISTRATION’S
WEBSITE’’ and inserting ‘‘FEDERAL 
RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION WEB SITE’’;
H. R. 22—368 
(2) in section 24709 by striking ‘‘The Secretary of the 
Treasury and the Attorney General,’’ and inserting ‘‘The Sec-
retary of Homeland Security,’’. 
(o) RAIL COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM.—Section 24910(b) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (12) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in paragraph (13) by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(14) to improve overall safety of intercity passenger and 
freight rail operations.’’. 
(p) SECRETARIAL OVERSIGHT.—Section 24403 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking subsection (b). 
Subtitle D—Safety 
SEC. 11401. HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING SAFETY. 
(a) MODEL STATE HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING ACTION 
PLAN.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Railroad Administration shall develop a model of a State-spe-
cific highway-rail grade crossing action plan and distribute 
the plan to each State. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The plan developed under paragraph (1) 
shall include— 
(A) methodologies, tools, and data sources for identi-
fying and evaluating highway-rail grade crossing safety 
risks, including the public safety risks posed by blocked 
highway-rail grade crossings due to idling trains; 
(B) best practices to reduce the risk of highway-rail 
grade crossing accidents or incidents and to alleviate the 
blockage of highway-rail grade crossings due to idling 
trains, including strategies for— 
(i) education, including model stakeholder engage-
ment plans or tools; 
(ii) engineering, including the benefits and costs 
of different designs and technologies used to mitigate 
highway-rail grade crossing safety risks; and 
(iii) enforcement, including the strengths and 
weaknesses associated with different enforcement 
methods; 
(C) for each State, a customized list and data set 
of the highway-rail grade crossing accidents or incidents 
in that State over the past 3 years, including the location, 
number of deaths, and number of injuries for each accident 
or incident, and a list of highway-rail grade crossings in 
that State that have experienced multiple accidents or 
incidents over the past 3 years; and 
(D) contact information of a Department of Transpor-
tation safety official available to assist the State in 
adapting the model plan to satisfy the requirements under 
subsection (b). 
(b) STATE HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING ACTION PLANS.— 
(1) REQUIREMENTS.—Not later than 18 months after the 
Administrator develops and distributes the model plan under
H. R. 22—369 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall promulgate a rule that 
requires— 
(A) each State, except the 10 States identified under 
section 202 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 
(49 U.S.C. 22501 note), to develop and implement a State 
highway-rail grade crossing action plan; and 
(B) each State identified under section 202 of the Rail 
Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 22501 note) 
to— 
(i) update the State action plan under such section; 
and 
(ii) submit to the Administrator— 
(I) the updated State action plan; and 
(II) a report describing what the State did 
to implement its previous State action plan under 
such section and how the State will continue to 
reduce highway-rail grade crossing safety risks. 
(2) CONTENTS.—Each State plan required under this sub-
section shall— 
(A) identify highway-rail grade crossings that have 
experienced recent highway-rail grade crossing accidents 
or incidents or multiple highway-rail grade crossing 
accidents or incidents, or are at high-risk for accidents 
or incidents; 
(B) identify specific strategies for improving safety at 
highway-rail grade crossings, including highway-rail grade 
crossing closures or grade separations; and 
(C) designate a State official responsible for managing 
implementation of the State action plan under subpara-
graph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1), as applicable. 
(3) ASSISTANCE.—The Administrator shall provide assist-
ance to each State in developing and carrying out, as appro-
priate, the State action plan under this subsection. 
(4) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—Each State shall submit a final 
State plan under this subsection to the Administrator for 
publication. The Administrator shall make each approved State 
plan publicly available on an official Internet Web site. 
(5) 
CONDITIONS.—The 
Secretary 
may 
condition 
the 
awarding of a grant to a State under chapter 244 of title 
49, United States Code, on that State submitting an acceptable 
State action plan under this subsection. 
(6) REVIEW
OF
ACTION
PLANS.—Not later than 60 days 
after the date of receipt of a State action plan under this 
subsection, the Administrator shall— 
(A) if the State action plan is approved, notify the 
State and publish the State action plan under paragraph 
(4); and 
(B) if the State action plan is incomplete or deficient, 
notify the State of the specific areas in which the plan 
is deficient and allow the State to complete the plan or 
correct the deficiencies and resubmit the plan under para-
graph (1). 
(7) DEADLINE.—Not later than 60 days after the date of 
a notice under paragraph (6)(B), a State shall complete the 
plan or correct the deficiencies and resubmit the plan.
H. R. 22—370 
(8) FAILURE TO COMPLETE OR CORRECT PLAN.—If a State 
fails to meet the deadline under paragraph (7), the Adminis-
trator shall post on the Web site under paragraph (4) a notice 
that the State has an incomplete or deficient highway-rail 
grade crossing action plan. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than the date that is 3 years after 
the Administrator publishes the final rule under subsection (b)(1), 
the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
a report on— 
(1) the specific strategies identified by States to improve 
safety at highway-rail grade crossings, including crossings with 
multiple accidents or incidents; and 
(2) the progress each State described under subsection 
(b)(1)(B) has made in implementing its action plan. 
(d) RAILWAY-HIGHWAY CROSSINGS FUNDS.—The Secretary may 
use funds made available to carry out section 130 of title 23, 
United States Code, to provide States with funds to develop a 
State highway-rail grade crossing action plan under subsection 
(b)(1)(A) or to update a State action plan under subsection (b)(1)(B). 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING.—The term ‘‘highway- 
rail grade crossing’’ means a location within a State, other 
than a location where 1 or more railroad tracks cross 1 or 
more railroad tracks at grade, where— 
(A) a public highway, road, or street, or a private 
roadway, including associated sidewalks and pathways, 
crosses 1 or more railroad tracks either at grade or grade- 
separated; or 
(B) a pathway explicitly authorized by a public 
authority or a railroad carrier that is dedicated for the 
use 
of 
non-vehicular 
traffic, 
including 
pedestrians, 
bicyclists, and others, that is not associated with a public 
highway, road, or street, or a private roadway, crosses 
1 or more railroad tracks either at grade or grade-sepa-
rated. 
(2) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means a State of the United 
States or the District of Columbia. 
SEC. 11402. PRIVATE HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSINGS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with railroad 
carriers, shall conduct a study to— 
(1) determine whether limitations or weaknesses exist 
regarding the availability and usefulness for safety purposes 
of data on private highway-rail grade crossings; and 
(2) evaluate existing engineering practices on private high-
way-rail grade crossings. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall make recommendations as necessary to 
improve— 
(1) the utility of the data on private highway-rail grade 
crossings; and 
(2) the implementation of private highway-rail crossing 
safety measures, including signage and warning systems. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on
H. R. 22—371 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report of the findings of the study and any rec-
ommendations for further action. 
SEC. 11403. STUDY ON USE OF LOCOMOTIVE HORNS AT HIGHWAY- 
RAIL GRADE CROSSINGS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
submit a report to Congress containing the results of a study 
evaluating the final rule issued on August 17, 2006, entitled ‘‘Use 
of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings’’ (71 Fed. 
Reg. 47614), including— 
(1) the effectiveness of such final rule; 
(2) the benefits and costs of establishing quiet zones; and 
(3) any barriers to establishing quiet zones. 
(b) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall be construed 
to limit or preclude any planned retrospective review by the Sec-
retary of the final rule described in subsection (a). 
SEC. 
11404. 
POSITIVE 
TRAIN 
CONTROL 
AT 
GRADE 
CROSSINGS 
EFFECTIVENESS STUDY. 
After the Secretary certifies that each Class I railroad carrier 
and each entity providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter 
rail passenger transportation is in compliance with the positive 
train control requirements under section 20157(a) of title 49, United 
States Code, the Secretary shall— 
(1) conduct a study of the possible effectiveness of positive 
train control and related technologies on reducing collisions 
at highway-rail grade crossings; and 
(2) submit a report containing the results of the study 
conducted under paragraph (1) to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
SEC. 11405. BRIDGE INSPECTION REPORTS. 
Section 417(d) of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 
(49 U.S.C. 20103 note) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY OF BRIDGE CONDITION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A State or political subdivision of 
a State may file a request with the Secretary for a public 
version of a bridge inspection report generated under sub-
section (b)(5) for a bridge located in such State or political 
subdivision’s jurisdiction. 
‘‘(B) PUBLIC
VERSION
OF
REPORT.—If the Secretary 
determines that the request is reasonable, the Secretary 
shall require a railroad to submit a public version of the 
most recent bridge inspection report, such as a summary 
form, for a bridge subject to a request under subparagraph 
(A). The public version of a bridge inspection report shall 
include the date of last inspection, length of bridge, location 
of bridge, type of bridge, type of structure, feature crossed 
by bridge, and railroad contact information, along with 
a general statement on the condition of the bridge.
H. R. 22—372 
‘‘(C) PROVISION OF REPORT.—The Secretary shall pro-
vide to a State or political subdivision of a State a public 
version of a bridge inspection report submitted under 
subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(D) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary, upon the 
reasonable request of State or political subdivision of a 
State, shall provide technical assistance to such State or 
political subdivision of a State to facilitate the under-
standing of a bridge inspection report.’’. 
SEC. 11406. SPEED LIMIT ACTION PLANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, each railroad carrier providing intercity 
rail passenger transportation or commuter rail passenger transpor-
tation, in consultation with any applicable host railroad carrier, 
shall survey its entire system and identify each main track location 
where there is a reduction of more than 20 miles per hour from 
the approach speed to a curve, bridge, or tunnel and the maximum 
authorized operating speed for passenger trains at that curve, 
bridge, or tunnel. 
(b) ACTION PLANS.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
that the survey under subsection (a) is complete, a railroad carrier 
described in subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary an action 
plan that— 
(1) identifies each main track location where there is a 
reduction of more than 20 miles per hour from the approach 
speed to a curve, bridge, or tunnel and the maximum authorized 
operating speed for passenger trains at that curve, bridge, 
or tunnel; 
(2) describes appropriate actions to enable warning and 
enforcement of the maximum authorized speed for passenger 
trains at each location identified under paragraph (1), 
including— 
(A) modification to automatic train control systems, 
if applicable, or other signal systems; 
(B) increased crew size; 
(C) installation of signage alerting train crews of the 
maximum authorized speed for passenger trains in each 
location identified under paragraph (1); 
(D) installation of alerters; 
(E) increased crew communication; and 
(F) other practices; 
(3) contains milestones and target dates for implementing 
each appropriate action described under paragraph (2); and 
(4) ensures compliance with the maximum authorized speed 
at each location identified under paragraph (1). 
(c) APPROVAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date on which 
an action plan is submitted under subsection (b), the Secretary 
shall approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove the action 
plan. 
(d) ALTERNATIVE
SAFETY
MEASURES.—The Secretary may 
exempt from the requirements of this section each segment of 
track for which operations are governed by a positive train control 
system certified under section 20157 of title 49, United States 
Code, or any other safety technology or practice that would achieve 
an equivalent or greater level of safety in reducing derailment 
risk.
H. R. 22—373 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives a report that describes— 
(1) the actions railroad carriers have taken in response 
to Safety Advisory 2013–08, entitled ‘‘Operational Tests and 
Inspections for Compliance With Maximum Authorized Train 
Speeds and Other Speed Restrictions’’; 
(2) the actions railroad carriers have taken in response 
to Safety Advisory 2015–03, entitled ‘‘Operational and Signal 
Modifications for Compliance with Maximum Authorized Pas-
senger Train Speeds and Other Speed Restrictions’’; and 
(3) the actions the Federal Railroad Administration has 
taken to evaluate or incorporate the information and findings 
arising from the safety advisories referred to in paragraphs 
(1) and (2) into the development of regulatory action and over-
sight activities. 
(f) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall prohibit 
the Secretary from applying the requirements of this section to 
other segments of track at high risk of overspeed derailment. 
SEC. 11407. ALERTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall promulgate a rule to 
require a working alerter in the controlling locomotive of each 
passenger train in intercity rail passenger transportation (as defined 
in section 24102 of title 49, United States Code) or commuter 
rail passenger transportation (as defined in section 24102 of title 
49, United States Code). 
(b) RULEMAKING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may promulgate a rule 
to specify the essential functionalities of a working alerter, 
including the manner in which the alerter can be reset. 
(2) ALTERNATE PRACTICE OR TECHNOLOGY.—The Secretary 
may require or allow a technology or practice in lieu of a 
working alerter if the Secretary determines that the technology 
or practice would achieve an equivalent or greater level of 
safety in enhancing or ensuring appropriate locomotive control. 
SEC. 11408. SIGNAL PROTECTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall initiate a rulemaking 
to require that on-track safety regulations, whenever practicable 
and consistent with other safety requirements and operational 
considerations, include requiring implementation of redundant 
signal protection for maintenance-of-way work crews who depend 
on a train dispatcher to provide signal protection. 
(b) ALTERNATIVE SAFETY MEASURES.—The Secretary shall con-
sider exempting from any final requirements of this section each 
segment of track for which operations are governed by a positive 
train control system certified under section 20157 of title 49, United 
States Code, or any other safety technology or practice that would 
achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety in providing addi-
tional signal protection. 
SEC. 11409. COMMUTER RAIL TRACK INSPECTIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall evaluate track inspection 
regulations to determine if a railroad carrier providing commuter
H. R. 22—374 
rail passenger transportation on high density commuter railroad 
lines should be required to inspect the lines in the same manner 
as is required for other commuter railroad lines. 
(b) RULEMAKING.—Considering safety, including railroad carrier 
employee and contractor safety, system capacity, and other relevant 
factors, the Secretary may promulgate a rule for high density com-
muter railroad lines. If, after the evaluation under subsection (a), 
the Secretary determines that it is necessary to promulgate a rule, 
the Secretary shall specifically consider the following regulatory 
requirements for high density commuter railroad lines: 
(1) At least once every 2 weeks— 
(A) traverse each main line by vehicle; or 
(B) inspect each main line on foot. 
(2) At least once each month, traverse and inspect each 
siding by vehicle or by foot. 
(c) REPORT.—If, after the evaluation under subsection (a), the 
Secretary determines it is not necessary to revise the regulations 
under this section, the Secretary, not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, shall transmit to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives a report explaining the reasons for not revising 
the regulations. 
(d) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section may be construed 
to limit the authority of the Secretary to promulgate regulations 
or issue orders under any other law. 
SEC. 11410. POST-ACCIDENT ASSESSMENT. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary, in cooperation with the 
National Transportation Safety Board and Amtrak, shall conduct 
a post-accident assessment of the Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 
#188 crash on May 12, 2015. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The assessment conducted pursuant to sub-
section (a) shall include— 
(1) a review of Amtrak’s compliance with the plan for 
addressing the needs of the families of passengers involved 
in any rail passenger accident, which was submitted pursuant 
to section 24316 of title 49, United States Code; 
(2) a review of Amtrak’s compliance with the emergency 
preparedness plan required under section 239.101(a) of title 
49, Code of Federal Regulations; 
(3) a determination of any additional action items that 
should be included in the plans referred to in paragraphs 
(1) and (2) to meet the needs of the passengers involved in 
the crash and their families, including— 
(A) notification of emergency contacts; 
(B) dedicated and trained staff to manage family assist-
ance; 
(C) the establishment of a family assistance center 
at the accident locale or other appropriate location; 
(D) a system for identifying and recovering items 
belonging to passengers that were lost in the crash; and 
(E) the establishment of a single customer service 
entity within Amtrak to coordinate the response to the 
needs of the passengers involved in the crash and their 
families; and
H. R. 22—375 
(4) recommendations for any additional training needed 
by Amtrak staff to better implement the plans referred to 
in paragraphs (1) and (2), including the establishment of a 
regular schedule for training drills and exercises. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall submit to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives a report that describes— 
(1) Amtrak’s plan to achieve the recommendations referred 
to in subsection (b)(4); and 
(2) any steps that have been taken to address any defi-
ciencies identified through the assessment. 
SEC. 11411. RECORDING DEVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 20168. Installation of audio and image recording devices 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 
2015, the Secretary of Transportation shall promulgate regulations 
to require each railroad carrier that provides regularly scheduled 
intercity rail passenger or commuter rail passenger transportation 
to the public to install inward- and outward-facing image recording 
devices in all controlling locomotive cabs and cab car operating 
compartments in such passenger trains. 
‘‘(b) DEVICE STANDARDS.—Each inward- and outward-facing 
image recording device shall— 
‘‘(1) have a minimum 12-hour continuous recording capa-
bility; 
‘‘(2) have crash and fire protections for any in-cab image 
recordings that are stored only within a controlling locomotive 
cab or cab car operating compartment; and 
‘‘(3) have recordings accessible for review during an 
accident or incident investigation. 
‘‘(c) REVIEW.—The Secretary shall establish a process to review 
and approve or disapprove an inward- or outward-facing image 
recording device for compliance with the standards described in 
subsection (b). 
‘‘(d) USES.—A railroad carrier subject to the requirements of 
subsection (a) that has installed an inward- or outward-facing image 
recording device approved under subsection (c) may use recordings 
from that inward- or outward-facing image recording device for 
the following purposes: 
‘‘(1) Verifying that train crew actions are in accordance 
with applicable safety laws and the railroad carrier’s operating 
rules and procedures, including a system-wide program for 
such verification. 
‘‘(2) Assisting in an investigation into the causation of 
a reportable accident or incident. 
‘‘(3) Documenting a criminal act or monitoring unauthor-
ized occupancy of the controlling locomotive cab or car operating 
compartment. 
‘‘(4) Other purposes that the Secretary considers appro-
priate. 
‘‘(e) DISCRETION.—
H. R. 22—376 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may— 
‘‘(A) require in-cab audio recording devices for the pur-
poses described in subsection (d); and 
‘‘(B) define in appropriate technical detail the essential 
features of the devices required under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(2) EXEMPTIONS.—The Secretary may exempt any railroad 
carrier subject to the requirements of subsection (a) or any 
part of the carrier’s operations from the requirements under 
subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that the carrier has 
implemented an alternative technology or practice that provides 
an equivalent or greater safety benefit or that is better suited 
to the risks of the operation. 
‘‘(f) TAMPERING.—A railroad carrier subject to the requirements 
of subsection (a) may take appropriate enforcement or administra-
tive action against any employee that tampers with or disables 
an audio or inward- or outward-facing image recording device 
installed by the railroad carrier. 
‘‘(g) PRESERVATION OF DATA.—Each railroad carrier subject to 
the requirements of subsection (a) shall preserve recording device 
data for 1 year after the date of a reportable accident or incident. 
‘‘(h) INFORMATION PROTECTIONS.—The Secretary may not dis-
close publicly any part of an in-cab audio or image recording or 
transcript of oral communications by or among train employees 
or other operating employees responsible for the movement and 
direction of the train, or between such operating employees and 
company communication centers, related to an accident or incident 
investigated by the Secretary. The Secretary may make public 
any part of a transcript or any written depiction of visual informa-
tion that the Secretary determines is relevant to the accident at 
the time a majority of the other factual reports on the accident 
or incident are released to the public. 
‘‘(i) PROHIBITED USE.—An in-cab audio or image recording 
obtained by a railroad carrier under this section may not be used 
to retaliate against an employee. 
‘‘(j) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section may be construed 
as requiring a railroad carrier to cease or restrict operations upon 
a technical failure of an inward- or outward-facing image recording 
device or in-cab audio device. Such railroad carrier shall repair 
or replace the failed inward- or outward-facing image recording 
device as soon as practicable.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of contents for sub-
chapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘20168. Installation of audio and image recording devices.’’. 
SEC. 11412. RAILROAD POLICE OFFICERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 28101 of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘employed by’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘directly employed by or contracted by’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting ‘‘or agent, as applicable,’’ 
after ‘‘an employee’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) TRANSFERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—If a railroad police officer directly 
employed by or contracted by a rail carrier and certified or 
commissioned as a police officer under the laws of a State