REC Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Regulations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FRA regulations, how long must a railroad retain records of locomotive daily inspection reports?
- 30 days
- 60 days
- 92 days (Correct answer)
- 180 days
Correct answer: 92 days
FRA locomotive safety standards (49 CFR Part 229) require daily inspection records to be retained for 92 days.
Question 2: What does the FRA's 'System Safety Program' regulation (49 CFR Part 270) primarily require of passenger railroads?
- Installation of Positive Train Control on all lines
- Development and implementation of a proactive risk reduction program (Correct answer)
- Annual third-party safety audits filed with the FRA
- Mandatory employee drug testing every 30 days
Correct answer: Development and implementation of a proactive risk reduction program
49 CFR Part 270 requires passenger railroads to develop and implement a System Safety Program that proactively identifies and reduces safety risks.
Question 3: Under FRA regulations, Positive Train Control (PTC) is required on lines that carry:
- Only passenger trains traveling over 79 mph
- Poison-by-inhalation hazardous materials or regularly scheduled passenger service (Correct answer)
- Any freight train with more than 100 cars
- Trains operating in dark territory without a dispatcher
Correct answer: Poison-by-inhalation hazardous materials or regularly scheduled passenger service
PTC is mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 on lines that carry poison-by-inhalation hazmat or provide regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger service.
Question 4: Which FRA regulation establishes requirements for railroad operating rules and the conduct of employees?
- 49 CFR Part 217 (Correct answer)
- 49 CFR Part 213
- 49 CFR Part 228
- 49 CFR Part 240
Correct answer: 49 CFR Part 217
49 CFR Part 217 requires railroads to file operating rules and conduct periodic operational tests and inspections to ensure employee compliance.
Question 5: Under FRA accident/incident reporting regulations, railroads must report an accident to the FRA within how many hours of a train accident resulting in death?
- 2 hours (Correct answer)
- 4 hours
- 8 hours
- 24 hours
Correct answer: 2 hours
FRA accident reporting regulations (49 CFR Part 225) require railroads to notify the FRA immediately, within 2 hours, of an accident involving a fatality.
Question 6: Under FRA drug and alcohol testing rules (49 CFR Part 219), which testing type is conducted when a covered employee's actions may have contributed to an accident?
- Random testing
- Pre-employment testing
- Post-accident testing (Correct answer)
- Reasonable suspicion testing
Correct answer: Post-accident testing
Post-accident testing is required by 49 CFR Part 219 when a covered employee's actions may have caused or contributed to a qualifying rail accident.
Question 7: Class 5 track under FRA Track Safety Standards allows passenger trains to operate at a maximum speed of:
- 60 mph
- 80 mph
- 90 mph (Correct answer)
- 110 mph
Correct answer: 90 mph
FRA Track Safety Standards classify Class 5 track as allowing a maximum of 90 mph for passenger trains.
REC Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Regulations 3
Under FRA regulations, how long must a railroad retain records of locomotive daily inspection reports?