How Safe are Our Railways?

Citizens for Rail Safety, Inc. (CRS) unveiled a study today by Penn State University, detailing the improvements made upon the rail while highlighting the glaring holes and therefore opportunities for terrorism.

“Citizens have the right to know what travels through their communities,” said CRS Executive Director Patricia Abbate. “The time of disaster is not the time to start devising plans. There should be practices in place that facilitate a coherent and efficient response plan,” said Abbate.

Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, member of the House Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Relations, said, "It is time to take common-sense steps to secure and monitor our rail stations and train platforms and train our rail workers adequately in terrorism evacuation and HAZMAT response. After the terrorist attacks against railways in Madrid, London and Mumbai and threats against the rail system in New York, further delay is simply inexcusable. That's why I'm proud the Democratic-led 110th Congress has made rail security a national priority. By passing comprehensive rail security legislation in March, we have already taken a significant step towards safeguarding America's rail systems and ensuring that our rail workers receive adequate security training. I am grateful to Citizens for Rail Safety for their ongoing public awareness campaign and thoughtful research on a number of critical rail security issues."

“Securing and Protecting America’s Rail System: U.S. Railroads and Opportunities for Terrorist Threats,” gives several recommendations to help ensure the safety and security of the American railways.

First and foremost, information sharing among state, federal, and local leaders needs to be more open and available, and when appropriate this information should be shared with the public. The study states another vital issue that needs to be resolved is the increase in training of the rail workers for a possible terrorist attack. The preparedness of the nation’s rail workers is lacking in HAZMAT and terrorist training. Strategies for a response to an attack or the derailment of hazardous materials must be implemented with coordination of officials for evacuation and the informing of the public is imperative.

Perhaps the key issue the study uncovers is the delegation of responsibility for this training and security, and the importance of the role of the federal government. According to Penn State, “Congress needs to pass comprehensive rail security legislation and allocate adequate financial and administrative resources to enhance security efforts.” Presently the government allots $671 million for rail security compared to $15.8 billion for aviation security. The federal government must assist the private rail industry to preserve the public from a fatal event says the study.

The research in the study found that there are too many vulnerabilities to America’s rail system sighting the actions that took place in Madrid and London in recent years, lack of federal funding, policing, and training add up to the question of when will it happen?

CRS, a national non-profit public interest organization comprised of transportation consultants and concerned citizens advocating for national railroad safety and efficiency, is a member-supported organization. Membership is open to all citizens who feel that safe rail transportation is no longer a goal for the railroad industry, but is an obligation. Since its inception in 2005, CRS has commissioned four new reports. For access to the complete report and to learn more about CRS visit www.citizensforrailsafety.org.