§20158 Railroad Safety Technology Grants

Summary

The Secretary of Transportation must create a grant program to pay for putting new railroad safety technology into use. It covers things like train control systems, processor‑based and electronically controlled brakes, rail inspection and warning systems, switch and remote control technologies, track integrity circuits, and other new safety tech. Grants go to passenger and freight railroads, railroad suppliers, and State or local governments for projects that improve safety and network efficiency. Priority is for work that makes systems interoperable, speeds deployment on high‑risk corridors (including routes with lots of hazardous materials or passenger service), or helps both passenger and freight operations. Applicants must submit the implementation plans required by sections 20156(e)(2) and 20157 to get a grant. Federal funds may cover at most 80 percent of a project’s cost. Congress authorized $50,000,000 each year for fiscal years 2009 through 2013, and that money stays available until spent.