FRA unveils settlement process for safety concerns

The Federal Railroad Administration today announced its new streamlined settlement negotiation process collected $15.4 million in civil penalties issued to Class Is for rail safety issues. 

Under the new framework, BNSF Railway, CN, CPKC, CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway and Union Pacific Railroad plus Amtrak can receive civil penalties when inspectors identify safety issues such as defective wheels, with potential reductions when repairs are made and discussed with mechanical craft employees to prevent recurrence.

Overall, the streamlined process reinforces safety as the top priority by driving timely corrections, improved practices and stronger risk mitigation, FRA officials said in a press release.

“Our new civil penalty process is already delivering results — forcing Class I railroads to step up, improve safety and address immediately noncompliance. I am grateful to our dedicated safety inspectors who are right there with the railroad workforce in the field," said FRA Administrator David Fink.

FRA’s settlement conferences enable regulators and railroads to work together to resolve key safety concerns and focus on making improvements. Federal and state rail safety inspectors have several enforcement tools at their disposal. Civil penalties are reserved for severe instances of noncompliance, FRA officials said.