[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 30, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E793-E794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION PERFORMANCE AND PERSONNEL ENFORCEMENT 
                                  ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN MOLINARI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 1997

  Ms. MOLINARI. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing H.R. --, the Federal 
Railroad Administration Performance and Personnel Enforcement Act. The 
bill will provide for institutional reforms at the Federal Railroad 
Administration and other improvements to the rail safety statutes aimed 
at promoting a safer, more secure railroad network. I would like to 
emphasize that the railroad system is essentially safe today, thanks to 
the substantial gains in safety that have been achieved since the late 
1970's. In 1978, the train accident rate was nearly 15 accidents per 
million train-miles, or 3.9 times what it was in 1995. Railroads are 
safe when compared to other modes of transportation as well. About 
40,000 people are killed each year on the Nation's highways, compared 
to about 600 fatalities that are attributed to railroad operations.
  Yet rail travel is becoming increasingly complex, and we must ensure 
that our safety requirements keep up with today's operational 
realities. Traffic on the mainlines continues to grow, and the 
increased mix of freight, intercity passenger and commuter traffic on 
the same corridors poses new challenges for ensuring safety.
  During the 104th Congress, I sponsored three hearings on the issue of 
rail safety. These hearings focused on the issues of human factors and 
grade crossing safety, equipment and technology in rail safety, and 
advanced train control technology.--This last hearing was held jointly 
with the Technology Subcommittee of the Science Committee.
  I believe that the hearings showed that reform is needed at the 
Federal Railroad Administration. While I applaud the efforts of the

[[Page E794]]

FRA in the last couple of years to improve the rulemaking process, I am 
still concerned about the rulemakings that are overdue. And in another 
area of concern, the Hours of Service Act, FRA and rail labor and 
management have all been guilty of foot-dragging in establishing pilot 
projects that were supposed to form the basis of changes to the act 
during the next authorization cycle. A report was due on January 1, 
1997 on the results of the pilot projects that still has not been 
submitted. This is unacceptable and I believe that my bill, through a 
combination of institutional reforms that will force FRA to be more 
accountable in carrying out congressional mandates, and improvements to 
the rail safety statutes will help ensure safety on the Nation's 
railroads.

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