§20117 — Title 49 Transportation | U.S. Code

Summary

The law lets the Secretary of Transportation use specific amounts of money for rail safety from 2009 to 2013. It authorizes $225,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $245,000,000 for 2010, $266,000,000 for 2011, $289,000,000 for 2012, and $293,000,000 for 2013. With that money, the Secretary must buy Gage Restraint Measurement System vehicles, track-geometry vehicles, or similar technology to check track safety, in line with a 2008 track inspection study. Up to $18,000,000 is authorized for 2009–2013 to build a tunnel testing facility in Pueblo, Colorado. Part of the yearly funds may pay staff in regional offices and Washington, D.C., who mainly work on rail security. No more than $1,000,000 can be used for grade crossing safety improvements, except for demonstration projects. Money for research, automated track inspection, and certain grants stays available until spent. At least 50 percent of annual R&D money must go to safety research, better track inspection and information technology, and improvements to freight and passenger rail. In addition, $300,000 for 1995, $500,000 for 1996, and $750,000 for 1997 were authorized for Operation Lifesaver, Inc.

Title 49, §20117

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation to carry out this part and to carry out responsibilities under chapter 51 as delegated or authorized by the Secretary—

(A)$225,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;

(B)$245,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;

(C)$266,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;

(D)$289,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and

(E)$293,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.

(2)With amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall purchase Gage Restraint Measurement System vehicles and track geometry vehicles or other comparable technology as needed to assess track safety consistent with the results of the track inspection study required by section 403 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

(3)There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $18,000,000 for the period encompassing fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to design, develop, and construct the Facility for Underground Rail Station and Tunnel at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado. The facility shall be used to test and evaluate the vulnerabilities of above-ground and underground rail tunnels to prevent accidents and incidents in such tunnels, to mitigate and remediate the consequences of any such accidents or incidents, and to provide a realistic scenario for training emergency responders.

(4)Such sums as may be necessary from the amount appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2013 shall be made available to the Secretary for personnel in regional offices and in Washington, D.C., whose duties primarily involve rail security.

(b)Not more than $1,000,000 may be appropriated to the Secretary for improvements in grade crossing safety, except demonstration projects under section 20134(c) of this title. Amounts appropriated under this subsection remain available until expended.

(c)Amounts appropriated under this section for research and development, automated track inspection, and grants under section 20105(e) of this title remain available until expended.

(d)At least 50 percent of the amounts appropriated to the Secretary for a fiscal year to carry out railroad research and development programs under this chapter or another law shall be available for safety research, improved track inspection and information acquisition technology, improved railroad freight transportation, and improved railroad passenger systems.

(e)In addition to amounts otherwise authorized by law, there are authorized to be appropriated for railroad research and development $300,000 for fiscal year 1995, $500,000 for fiscal year 1996, and $750,000 for fiscal year 1997, to support Operation Lifesaver, Inc.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 20117(a)(1)45:444(a) (1st sentence).Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, § 214(a) (1st sentence); added Oct. 10, 1980, Pub. L. 96–423, § 2, 94 Stat. 1811; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, § 1195, 95 Stat. 702; Jan. 14, 1983, Pub. L. 97–468, § 703, 96 Stat. 2580; restated June 22, 1988, Pub. L. 100–342, § 2, 102 Stat. 624; Nov. 5, 1990, Pub. L. 101–508, § 10501(b), 104 Stat. 1388–400; restated Sept. 3, 1992, Pub. L. 102–365, § 12, 106 Stat. 980. 20117(a)(2)45:435(h).Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, § 206(h); Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–615, § 28(d), 104 Stat. 3277. 20117(b)45:445(c).Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, § 215(c); added June 22, 1988, Pub. L. 100–342, § 20, 102 Stat. 638. 20117(c)45:444(b).Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, § 214(b); added Oct. 10, 1980, Pub. L. 96–423, § 2, 94 Stat. 1811; Jan. 14, 1983, Pub. L. 97–468, § 703, 96 Stat. 2580; restated June 22, 1988, Pub. L. 100–342, § 2, 102 Stat. 624. 20117(d)45:442.Nov. 2, 1978, Pub. L. 95–574, § 3, 92 Stat. 2459. In subsection (a), references to fiscal years prior to 1993 are omitted as obsolete.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 403 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is section 403 of Pub. L. 110–432, which is set out as a note under section 20142 of this title.

Amendments

2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–432 amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) authorized appropriations for fiscal years 1993 through 1998. 1994—Subsec. (a)(1)(C) to (F). Pub. L. 103–440, § 202, added subpars. (C) to (F). Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103–440, § 218, added subsec. (e).

§20117 Authorization of appropriations