Railroad Safety

 

To improve railroad safety and reduce railroad-related casualties and accidents.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
20.301
Federal Agency/Office
Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 The Hazardous Materials Division will oversee two grants (H-TRAM Rail Corridor Risk Management for Class II and III Railroads, and Transcaer. Hazardous Materials was able to enhance the nationwide emergency response training through its support of the American Chemistry Council’s Transcaer Program. The grant for H-TRAM Rail Corridor Risk Management for Class II and III Railroads assists in rail routing security. The Hazardous Materials Division plans to continue funding the Transcaer grant and possibly others in order to enhance rail emergency response and the security of hazardous materials in transportation. Operation Lifesaver provided assistance to State programs for State coordinator training; national and regional training seminars; educational materials; information to the public promoting rail safety through public service announcements, videos, website and e-learning, and supported the national office to administer its programs and developed and deployed national public awareness and outreach campaign “See Tracks? Think Train”?. The law enforcement liaisons have developed a wide variety of initiatives and rail safety training programs for local law enforcement and emergency responder organizations throughout their respective regions. These initiatives include conducting grade crossing collision investigation training and emergency responder training for hundreds of police, fire, and emergency responders. The liaisons conduct extensive outreach to communities to promote grade crossing safety, encourage enforcement of laws related to trespassing and highway rail grade crossings. Transcaer taught 49,999 emergency responders about railroad emergency response through its various face to face exercises and webinar training outreach all over the United States in 2016. Some of the training included the following: students were trained in Chlorine response during 15 training events; the Crude by Rail component was rolled out this year to a national audience; and there were 14 ethanol safety seminars in addition to training for Anhydrous Ammonia. The Hazardous Materials Division will continue to oversee one grant for Transcaer. Hazardous Materials was able to enhance nationwide emergency response hands on exercises, train the trainer, face to face and web based training through its support of the American Chemistry Council’s Transcaer Program. The Hazardous Materials Division plans to continue funding this Transcaer grant and possibly others in order to enhance rail emergency response and the security of hazardous materials in transportation. Operation Lifesaver provided assistance to State programs for State coordinator training; national and regional training seminars; educational materials; information to the public promoting rail safety through public service announcements, videos, website and e-learning, and supported the national office to administer its programs and developed and deployed national public awareness and outreach campaign “See Tracks? Think Train.” The law enforcement liaisons have developed a wide variety of initiatives and rail safety training programs for local law enforcement and emergency responder organizations throughout their respective regions. These initiatives include conducting grade crossing collision investigation training and emergency responder training for hundreds of police, fire, and emergency responders. The liaisons conduct extensive outreach to communities to promote grade crossing safety, encourage enforcement of laws related to trespassing and highway rail grade crossings.
Fiscal Year 2017 The FY 2017 grant ($1,000,000) for Operation Lifesaver supports OLI Administration of public education and awareness programs related to highway-rail grade crossing safety and railroad trespass prevention in the United States, and consists of four Tasks: States Assistance Programs, Training and Education Programs, Communications Programs and OLI Program Administration.
Fiscal Year 2018 FRA obligated funds for 12 grants supporting state inspector and hazardous materials training, as well as trespassing prevention.
Fiscal Year 2019 FRA obligated funds for 27 grants supporting state inspector and hazardous materials training, as well as trespassing prevention.
Fiscal Year 2020 In FY 2020, FRA obligated funds for 37 grants supporting state inspector and hazardous materials training, as well as trespassing prevention.
Fiscal Year 2021 In FY 2021, FRA obligating funds for grants supporting state safety inspectors, hazardous materials training, railroad safety education programs, and trespassing and suicide prevention.
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 2022, FRA funded grants supporting state safety inspectors, hazardous materials training, railroad safety education programs, and trespassing and suicide prevention.
Fiscal Year 2023 In FY 2023, FRA has continued funding grants supporting state safety inspectors, hazardous materials training, and railroad safety education programs.
Fiscal Year 2024 In FY 2024, FRA intends to continue funding grants supporting state safety inspectors, hazardous materials training, and railroad safety education programs.
Authorization
Rail Safety Improvement Act, Section 206, Public Law 115-31, 49 U.S.C. 103(i); 20105
Funding for this program is used to improve railroad safety and reduce railroad-related casualties and accidents.
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
States, Local, Private nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education), Other public institution/organization, Profit organization
Beneficiary Eligibility
General public.
Credentials/Documentation
See Application Procedure.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The applicant must submit the following information: SF424 - Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424C - Budget Information for Construction, or SF 424A - Budget Information for Non-Construction, SF 424D - Assurances for Construction, or SF 424B - Assurances for Non-Construction, FRA's Additional Assurances and Certifications,; and other information such as project narratives, statements of work, and budgets.
Award Procedure
FRA will contact applicants with successful applications with information and instructions about the award process. This notification is not an authorization to begin proposed project activities. A formal grant agreement or cooperative agreement signed by both the grantee and the FRA, including an approved scope, schedule, and budget, is required before the award is considered complete.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
Not applicable.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
Not applicable.
How may assistance be used?
Railroad Safety initiatives, including: 1) Railroad Trespassing Enforcement Grants – to provide funding for local law enforcement activities intended to reduce trespassing on rail rights-of-way. 2) Railroad Trespassing Suicide Prevention Grants – for the implementation of railroad trespassing suicide prevention programs. 3) Operation Lifesaver (OLI) – to support administration of public education and awareness programs related to highway-rail grade crossing safety and railroad trespass prevention in the United States, and consists of four tasks: States Assistance Programs, Training and Education Programs, Communications Programs and OLI Program Administration. 4) Security – to establish, develop, and implement plans, procedures, and networks to send and receive security-sensitive or emergency-related information from the Government to rail stakeholders and from rail stakeholders to the Government. 5) American Chemistry Council (Chemtrec and TRANSCAER) – to ass
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Grant recipients will be monitored periodically by FRA to ensure that the project goals, objectives, performance requirements, timelines, milestones, budgets, and other related program criteria are being met.
Auditing
No additional requirements.
Records
During the course of its activities under a grant agreement and for three years thereafter, the applicant must agree to retain intact and to provide any data, documents, reports, records, contracts, and supporting materials relating to its performance under the agreement as FRA may require. Reporting and record-keeping requirements are set forth in 2 C.F.R. Part 200 for private non-profit and for-profit Grantees. Closeout does not alter these requirements.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
No restriction on period of time the assistance normally is available. Funding is obligated through cooperative agreements or grants, and outlays occur as reimbursement. Funding will only be obligated and disbursed as milestones are achieved. Assistance is usually awarded upon request for reimbursement.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
Regional Administrator, 55 Broadway, Room 1077, Cambridge, MA 02142 Telephone: (617) 494-2302. Regional Administrator, 1510 Chester Pike, Crum Lynne, PA 19023 Telephone: (610) 521-8200 Regional Administrator, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Suite 16T20, Atlanta Federal Center, Atlanta, GA 30303- 3104. Telephone: (404) 562-3800. Regional Administrator, 111 West Adam Street, Suite 310, Chicago, IL 60606 Telephone: (312) 353- 6203. Regional Administrator, 4100 International Plaza, Suite 450, Fort Worth, TX 76109 Telephone: (817) 862-2200. Regional Administrator, 901 Locust Street, Suite 464, Kansas City, MO 64106 Telephone: (816) 329-3840. Regional Administrator, 801 I Street, Suite 466, Sacramento, CA 95814. Telephone: (916) 498-6540. Regional Administrator, 500 E. Broadway, Suite 240, Vancouver, WA, 98660 Telephone: (360) 696-7536.
Headquarters Office
Matthew Lorah
Chief, Grant & Loan Program Development Division,
Office of Rail Program Development
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
Washington, DC 20590 USA
Matthew.Lorah@dot.gov
Phone: 2025791074
Website Address
https://railroads.dot.gov
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-0700-0-1-401
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 22$1,514,320.00; FY 23 est $2,000,000.00; FY 24 est $2,000,000.00; FY 21$1,290,598.00; FY 20$3,212,867.00; FY 19$6,846,706.00; FY 18$9,302,967.00; FY 17$18,170,000.00; FY 16$1,105,000.00; - The range was between $136 to $1,000,000 and the average was $79,701.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The range was between $136 to $1,000,000 and the average was $79,701.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Not applicable.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 Grant for Transcaer -- Hazardous Materials was able to enhance nationwide emergency response hands on exercises, train the trainer, face to face and web based training through its support of the American Chemistry Council’s Transcaer Program. Operation Lifesaver -- Provided assistance to State programs for State coordinator training; national and regional training seminars; educational materials; information to the public promoting rail safety through public service announcements, videos, website and e-learning, and supported the national office to administer its programs and developed and deployed national public awareness and outreach campaign.
Fiscal Year 2018 Examples of projects funded in FY 2018 included travel, laptops, and training for state inspectors in 10 states; hazardous materials training; and law enforcement and outreach activities for trespassing prevention.
Fiscal Year 2019 Examples of projects funded in FY 2019 will include travel, laptops, and training for state inspectors in 27 states; hazardous materials training; and law enforcement and outreach activities for trespassing prevention.
Fiscal Year 2020 Examples of projects funded in FY 2020 included travel, laptops, and training for state inspectors in 22 states; hazardous materials training; and law enforcement and outreach activities for trespassing prevention.
Fiscal Year 2021 Examples of projects funded in FY 2021 will include travel, laptops, and training for state inspectors in up to 31 states; hazardous materials training; railroad right-of-way and highway-railroad crossing safety information and education; and law enforcement and outreach activities for trespassing and suicide prevention.
Fiscal Year 2022 Examples of projects funded in FY 2022 include travel, laptops, and training for state inspectors in up to 31 states; hazardous materials training; railroad right-of-way and highway-railroad crossing safety information and education; and law enforcement and outreach activities for trespassing and suicide prevention.
Fiscal Year 2023 Examples of projects funded or anticipated for funding in FY 2023 include travel, laptops, and training for state inspectors in up to 31 states; hazardous materials training; and railroad right-of-way and highway-railroad crossing safety information and education.
Fiscal Year 2024 Examples of projects anticipated for funding in FY 2024 include travel, laptops, and training for state inspectors in up to 31 states; hazardous materials training; and railroad right-of-way and highway-railroad crossing safety information and education.

 



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