Sec. 9501. Study on safety impact of long trains
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The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a study on the safety impacts of the operation of long trains. The study conducted under subsection
(a)shall include— an examination of any potential risks of the operation of long trains and recommendations on mitigation of any such risks; among other safety factors with respect to the operation of such trains, an evaluation of any— potential risk of loss of communications between an end-of-train device, or a distributed power unit, and the locomotive cab, including communications over differing terrains and conditions; potential risk of loss of radio communications between crewmembers after a crewmember alights from a train, including communications over differing terrains and conditions; potential risk of derailments, including any risks associated with in-train compressive forces and slack action, or other safety risks in differing terrains and conditions; changes in risks or benefits to safety associated with the deployment of multiple distributed power units in the consists of such trains; and impacts of the length of trains on braking and locomotive performance and track wear and tear; and an evaluation of whether additional engineer and conductor training is required for safely operating such trains. In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall collaborate with railroad carriers, labor organizations representing railroad employees, and railroad safety technology manufacturers. Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that contains— the results of the study required by subsection (a); any recommendations for mitigating safety risks caused by long trains; and a description of any action the Secretary intends to take to address any safety risk identified in the study. After submitting the report required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall share the results of the study with railroad carriers, labor organizations representing railroad employees, and safety technology organizations. Not later than 180 days after the date on which the report required by subsection (d)(1) is submitted, the Secretary shall implement any proposed actions described in such report. In this section, the term long train means a freight train composed of more than 150 rail cars. From the amounts made available for fiscal year 2021 to carry out section 20117(a) of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary shall expend not less than $1,000,000 and not more than $2,000,000 to carry out this section.