Joint Transportation Committee
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Rail Safety Governance Study
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The Washington State Legislature has commissioned a study to analyze and generate recommendations for rail safety governance in Washington state. The study must assess rail safety governance for passenger and freight rail, including rail transit services, and must consider recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its 2017 Amtrak Passenger Train 501 Derailment Accident Report.
The study will include:
- A description and assessment of the current roles and responsibilities of federal, state, regional and local agencies, their organizational structures and processes, and interagency coordination efforts.
- A description of the anticipated effects of the adoption of 49. C.F.R. Part 270 on these roles and responsibilities.
- Consultation with agencies involved in rail safety oversight.
- An examination of rail safety governance best practices in other states including safety oversight of rail project design and construction.
- Development of recommendations for the implementation of best practices for rail safety governance in Washington state.
Budget: $230,000
JTC Staff: Dave Catterson
STC & HTC Staff: Daniel Masterson; Jennifer Harris
Report due date: January 6, 2021
Rail Safety Governance in Washington State Final Report - January 2021
Presented at JTC Meeting 12/17/20:
Rail Safety Governance in Washington State study update
Rail Safety Governance in Washington State Draft Final Report
Presented at JTC Meeting 9/17/20:
Rail Safety Governance in Washington State Study Update