Rail safety grants totaling $350,000 awarded to assist with fuel transport

In the US, the Federal Railroad Administration has awarded two grants totaling $350,000 to improve the safety of rail transport of hazardous materials by developing a Short Line Safety Institute. After recent concerns over chemical and oil spillage from trains transporting fuel products, Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Patty Murray, D-Wash., introduced legislation in June to authorize a new Short Line Rail Safety Institute.

The grants will have the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association conducting a comprehensive review of the existing safety programs on short line and regional railroads. From there, the University of Connecticut will develop, test, and validate safety education and training for managers and employees.

“Nearly half of all short line and regional railroads handle some type of hazardous materials, and today’s grants will play an important role in ensuring those materials and all shipments reach their destination safely,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “These grants are just the latest step in our comprehensive approach to improving the safe transport of crude oil and other hazmat by rail.”