Short Line Safety Institute awarded $2.4 million grant

The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded a $2.4 million grant to the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI).

The grant will enable the institute to enhance and improve safety practices at short lines and regionals, according to an institute press release.

"This funding will allow us to develop and launch new programming to assist short line and regional railroads in filling the opportunity gaps identified through our ongoing Safety Culture Assessments conducted on short line and regional railroads," said SLSI Executive Director Tom Murta.

To date, the institute will have completed 64 safety culture assessments at railroads by the end of this year, with nine already scheduled for 2019, he said.

The grant will enable the institute to develop new training programs, such as one in professional development that's now in the works. The training will help address an identified need at small railroads for a formal management training program that teaches skills such as employee coaching.

Moreover, the funding will allow the institute to provide safety culture assessments, webinar training, in-person training and resource materials.