FRA Rail Safety Regulations & Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under 49 CFR Part 228, what is the maximum on-duty period for a train employee in road service before mandatory rest is required?
- 8 hours
- 10 hours
- 12 hours (Correct answer)
- 16 hours
Correct answer: 12 hours
49 CFR Part 228 limits train employees in road service to a maximum of 12 consecutive hours on duty.
Question 2: Which FRA regulation governs the inspection, testing, and maintenance of locomotive safety equipment?
- 49 CFR Part 213
- 49 CFR Part 229 (Correct answer)
- 49 CFR Part 232
- 49 CFR Part 238
Correct answer: 49 CFR Part 229
49 CFR Part 229 (Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards) establishes requirements for locomotive inspection, testing, and maintenance.
Question 3: What does the FRA's 'Program of Action' requirement obligate railroads to do when a pattern of non-compliance is identified?
- Immediately suspend all operations
- Submit a written corrective action plan to FRA (Correct answer)
- Pay a $25,000 fine per violation
- Notify the NTSB within 24 hours
Correct answer: Submit a written corrective action plan to FRA
When the FRA identifies a pattern of non-compliance, railroads must submit a written Program of Action (corrective action plan) outlining how they will achieve compliance.
Question 4: Under FRA track safety standards, a Class 4 track permits a maximum freight train speed of:
- 40 mph
- 60 mph (Correct answer)
- 80 mph
- 90 mph
Correct answer: 60 mph
49 CFR Part 213 specifies that Class 4 track allows a maximum freight train speed of 60 mph.
Question 5: An FRA inspector issues a Federal Track Safety Compliance Order citing an 'emergency condition.' What is the required railroad response?
- Cease operations on the affected segment immediately (Correct answer)
- File an appeal within 30 days before acting
- Notify the Surface Transportation Board first
- Schedule repairs within the next quarterly maintenance cycle
Correct answer: Cease operations on the affected segment immediately
A Federal Track Safety Compliance Order citing an emergency condition requires the railroad to immediately cease operations on the affected segment until the defect is corrected.
Question 6: Which reporting form must a railroad use to notify the FRA of an accident or incident involving more than $10,700 in equipment or property damage?
- FRA Form 6180.55 (Correct answer)
- FRA Form 6180.57
- FRA Form 6180.97
- FRA Form 6180.98
Correct answer: FRA Form 6180.55
FRA Form 6180.55 (Railroad Injury and Illness Summary) is used to report railroad accidents and incidents meeting the damage threshold under 49 CFR Part 225.
Question 7: Under 49 CFR Part 219, random drug and alcohol testing must cover at least what percentage of covered service employees per year?
- 10%
- 25%
- 50% (Correct answer)
- 75%
Correct answer: 50%
49 CFR Part 219 requires railroads to conduct random drug testing on at least 50% of covered service employees annually.
FRA Rail Safety Regulations & Compliance 2
Under 49 CFR Part 228, what is the maximum on-duty period for a train employee in road service before mandatory rest is required?