2021 US Code
Title 49 - Transportation
Subtitle V - Rail Programs
Part A - Safety
Chapter 201 - General
Subchapter II - Particular Aspects of Safety
Sec. 20148 - Railroad car visibility

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Citation 49 U.S.C. § 20148 (2021)
Section Name §20148. Railroad car visibility
Section Text

(a) Review of Rules.—The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a review of the Department of Transportation's rules with respect to railroad car visibility. As part of this review, the Secretary shall collect relevant data from operational experience by railroads having enhanced visibility measures in service.

(b) Regulations.—If the review conducted under subsection (a) establishes that enhanced railroad car visibility would likely improve safety in a cost-effective manner, the Secretary shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to prescribe regulations requiring enhanced visibility standards for newly manufactured and remanufactured railroad cars. In such proceeding the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum—

(1) visibility of railroad cars from the perspective of nonrailroad traffic;

(2) whether certain railroad car paint colors should be prohibited or required;

(3) the use of reflective materials;

(4) the visibility of lettering on railroad cars;

(5) the effect of any enhanced visibility measures on the health and safety of train crew members; and

(6) the cost/benefit ratio of any new regulations.


(c) Exclusions.—In prescribing regulations under subsection (b), the Secretary may exclude from any specific visibility requirement any category of trains or railroad operations if the Secretary determines that such an exclusion is in the public interest and is consistent with railroad safety.

Source Credit

(Added Pub. L. 103–440, title II, §212(a), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4622.)

Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, Supplement 3, Title 49 - TRANSPORTATION
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 49 - TRANSPORTATION
SUBTITLE V - RAIL PROGRAMS
PART A - SAFETY
CHAPTER 201 - GENERAL
SUBCHAPTER II - PARTICULAR ASPECTS OF SAFETY
Sec. 20148 - Railroad car visibility
Contains section 20148
Date 2021
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 3, 2022
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 108 Stat. 4622
Public Law References Public Law 103-440
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