Reps. Lipinski, Quigley propose $1 billion rail safety bill

U.S. Reps. Dan Lipinski (D.-Ill.) and Mike Quigley (D.-Ill.) yesterday introduced a bill that would provide $1 billion over the next five years for rail-safety improvement projects.

The Reassuring Adequate Investment in Lifesaving Systems (RAILS) Act (H.R. 1405) would reauthorize the Rail Safety Technology Grant program to provide $200 million a year for the next five years for positive train control (PTC), rail integrity inspection systems, an electronic hazardous material communication system and other rail-safety projects.

"Representing a district that includes four commuter rail lines, Amtrak, and six of the country's seven Class I freight railroads, I understand how important rail safety is," Lipinski said in a statement. "This bill dedicates funding and resources to benefit the safety of millions of Americans as a key part of the Chicagoland economy moves to modernize its safety systems to comply with the positive train control requirement."

The RAILS Act also would help entities secure funding for interoperability testing, which would help trains use tracks owned by other companies, as well as spectrum acquisition, which is needed for PTC, according to Lipinski.