FRA sets passenger-car safety requirements

Last month, the Federal Railroad Administration issued a final rule on commuter- and intercity passenger-rail equipment safety standards. The rule aims to help passengers evacuate trains more quickly and provide emergency responders additional ways to reach trapped or injured passengers.

The rule mandates that:

• cars feature two-way communication systems to enable train crews and passengers to communicate with each other;
• emergency evacuation and rescue access windows be included at all levels with passenger seating; and
• emergency roof access locations be placed on all cars.