The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RAILROAD CAR VISIBILITY ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S3655 on April 27, 1998.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RAILROAD CAR VISIBILITY ACT
Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today, I am introducing the ``Railroad Car Visibility Act,'' requiring that all railroad cars have some form of visible marker such as reflectors or reflective tape.
The purpose of this legislation is to reduce the number of accidents with both moving trains at rail crossings, and with rail cars parked on sidings. In South Dakota a number of such accidents have occurred recently at rural and small town rail crossings and sidings which are often unprotected or unlighted. Such accidents occur in rural areas across the country.
As a result, last year I urged the Department of Transportation (DOT) to take appropriate measures to improve railroad car visibility. While DOT has begun enforcing rules governing locomotive visibility, rail cars are still not required to have reflective lighting. However, DOT research concludes that ``retroreflective materials are useful and satisfactory for enhancing the visibility of railroad cars.''
This legislation has the support of both South Dakota's legislature and Governor Janklow. For relatively little cost, this legislation will improve railroad car visibility and thereby reduce the number of accidents, unnecessary injuries and deaths at rail crossings and sidings. Therefore I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and work with me to secure its passage.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have this bill printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 1991
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. IMPROVED CONSPICUITY OF RAIL CARS.
(a) In General.--Section 20132 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking the heading and inserting the following:
``Sec. 20132. Visible markers for train cars'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Improved Conspicuity.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of Transportation shall--
``(1) develop and implement a plan to ensure that the requirements of this section are met; and
``(2) issue regulations that require that, not later than 2 years after the date of issuance of the regulations, all cars of freight, passenger, or commuter trains be equipped, and, if necessary, retrofitted, with at least 1 highly visible marker (including reflective tape or appropriate lighting).''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 20132 and inserting the following:
``20132. Visible markers for train cars.''.
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