Hutchison Introduces Bill to Reform Rail Regulations, While Maintaining System Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today introduced legislation that would reform the Positive Train Control (PTC) regulatory mandate to reduce compliance costs, while maintaining a safe rail system. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.). PTC is an automated technology that is capable of preventing train collisions, overspeed derailments and injuries to railroad employees. In 2008, Congress required the railroads to implement PTC technology on rail lines that carry passengers or certain types of very toxic chemicals by December 2015.