Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Safety Advisory Committee Railroad

Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Safety Advisory Committee Railroad Bridge Working Group Status Report 11 June 2008

Railroad Bridge Working Group 11 June 2008 • Task No. 08 -01 • Accepted by RSAC on 10 February 2008 • Report to the Federal Railroad Administrator on the: – current state of railroad bridge safety management, – updating the findings and conclusions of the 1993 Summary Report of the FRA Railroad Bridge Safety Survey, – including recommendations for further action.

Railroad Bridge Working Group 11 June 2008 • Detailed Description of Task • 1. Review bridge safety management of the • seven Class I freight railroads, • Amtrak, • the commuter railroads, • and smaller freight railroads;

Railroad Bridge Working Group 11 June 2008 • Detailed Description of Task: • (2) Review • FRA’s Statement Agency Policy on the Safety of Railroad Bridges (Appendix C, 49 CFR Part 213), and • Safety Advisory 2007 -03, to • evaluate their currency and effectiveness, and • recommend revisions;

Railroad Bridge Working Group 11 June 2008 • Detailed Description of Task (3) review and incorporate findings, as appropriate, of the Bridge Safety Task Force of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association;

Railroad Bridge Working Group 11 June 2008 • Detailed Description of Task – (4) Develop recommendations for FRA • to best influence the adoption and implementation of effective industry practices • to maintain the safety and • preserve the serviceability of railroad bridges.

Railroad Bridge Working Group 11 June 2008 • Timeline – 10 February 2008 – Task Accepted by RSAC, Working Group established. – 14 March 2008 – Expressions of interest and representation received, and Working Group constituted. – 24 and 25 April 2008 – First meeting of Working Group – 12 and 13 June 2008 – Second meeting of Working Group scheduled. – 8 November 2008 – Findings of RSAC due to FRA Administrator.

Railroad Bridge Working Group 11 June 2008 • Progress: – Railroad organizations (AAR and ASLRRA) are cooperating to provide FRA with an updated count of railroad bridges.

Railroad Bridge Working Group 11 June 2008 • Progress: – Working Group members are cooperating to develop and refine common policies for inspection and management of their bridges. – Railroad policies are expected to provide for internal audits.

Railroad Bridge Working Group 11 June 2008 • Progress: – American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has established a Bridge Task Force. – Railroads of all sizes, including nearly all Class I’s, are represented. – Working separately but in parallel with RSAC Bridge Working Group.

Railroad Bridge Working Group 11 June 2008 • Progress: – ASLRRA Bridge Task Force: • Reviewing FRA proposed implementation of risk-based factors for selection of small railroads for bridge evaluation. • Recommending to small railroads effective procedures for managing bridge safety.

Railroad Bridge Working Group 11 June 2008 • Expected benefits: – FRA will have a record of bridge management policies of larger railroads. – Small railroads will have a roadmap available for use in developing their bridge policies. – Internal audits by larger railroads will enable more effective evaluation by railroad management and FRA.