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The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a regulation to improve locomotive crashworthiness standards and reduce train crew injuries caused by accidents.

New crashworthiness standards call for locomotives to feature upgraded structural elements, such as stronger collision posts, and anti-climbing equipment to keep a locomotive upright and in-line on tracks after a collision. In addition, cab interiors must be reconfigured to soften sharp edges, and provide better emergency lighting and exits, and fuel tanks must be strengthened to prevent fire-causing spills. The standards will apply to locomotives manufactured or rebuilt beginning in January 2009.

“This regulation will give engineers and conductors a better chance to walk away from the devastation and destruction of a locomotive collision,” said FRA Administrator Joseph Boardman in a prepared statement.

The regulation incorporates and expands upon rail industry standards implemented in 1989. The Locomotive Crashworthiness Working Group of the FRA’s Railroad Safety Advisory Committee helped develop the new standards.