The Federal Role in Rail Transit Safety

Peterman, David Randall ; Mallett, William J.

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service.

关键词: Transportation;    Railroads;    Subways;    Railroad safety;    Railroad accidents;   

RP-ID  :  R40688
RP-ID  :  R40688_2009Jul06

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

On June 22, 2009, two transit trains in Washington, DC, collided, resulting in nine deaths and dozens of injuries. It was the worst crash in the history of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's rail transit system. This crash has raised questions about the safety of rail transit and the government's role in ensuring that safety. Nationwide, rail transit is considered one of the safest modes of transportation. This report discusses the State Safety Oversight Program, which went into effect in 1997 and mandates that states are responsible for the safety of the rail transit systems within their borders. This report also explores several issues that Federal Transit Administration (FTA) representatives have discussed in regards to improving the Safety Oversight Program.