Federal Railroad Administration

Federal Railroad Administration Proposes New Midwest Rail Network
If built, regional high-speed rail networks could provide an alternative to uncomfortable air travel and prevent travelers from becoming stranded at airports during extreme weather.

D.C. Has Concerns About Parking and the Cost of Maglev Proposal
Washington, D.C. officials are urging modifications to key components of a proposal to build a maglev system between D.C. and Baltimore, citing disruptions to neighborhoods and cost concerns.

Federal Review of High-Speed Maglev Train Between D.C. and Baltimore Nearing the Finish Line
The Federal Railroad Administration recently released a preliminary study of a proposed high-speed maglev train route between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Passenger Rail to Gulf Coast Closer to Reality
Amtrak service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, stopped after Hurricane Katrina. But recent efforts point to restored service in the coming years.

Yes, Trump Can Recoup the $3.5 Billion Awarded to California High-Speed Rail
The beleaguered project is still very much alive, despite some media claims to the contrary. As for the Trump administration's claim to two grants awarded to the now-$77 billion project, the state has a deadline to meet if it wants to keep them.

Trump Administration Targets California High-Speed Rail After Border Wall Lawsuit
The Trump administration has canceled a nearly $1 billion grant assigned to the California high-speed rail project and is attempting to get the state to return the $2.5 billion it has already spent on the $77 billion project.

Train to Denver Airport Threatened with Closure over Crossing Gate Woes
The Federal Railroad Administration is threatening to revoke the waiver that allows the A-Line to operate with flaggers at grade crossings unless the Regional Transit District presents a plan by mid-month to fix the crossing gate problems.

Transit Industry Leadership Expresses Optimism About Meeting Upcoming Safety Deadlines
With a year-end deadline approaching, reports indicate progress by agencies and optimism that vulnerable systems will meet this year’s requirements.

High-Speed Rail to Partner with Amtrak in Texas
The Texas Central high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas is planning to offer smooth connections with Amtrak lines at either end of its 240-mile route.

Trump Attempts to Deny Funding for Hudson River Rail Tunnel Project
President Trump is going out of his way to ensure that the Hudson River Tunnel and other projects in the Amtrak Gateway Program don't receive federal funding in the next omnibus spending bill Congress must approve by March 23 to avoid a shutdown.

Drivers: Beware Following GPS Navigation Instructions Too Closely
For the second time at the same railroad crossing in Atherton, California, a motorist followed his GPS navigation onto Caltrain tracks. In both cases, the motorists fled their vehicles before being hit by an oncoming train.
Amtrak Suffers Third Fatal Crash in Less than Two Months
The crash in Cayce, South Carolina on Sunday killed the engineer and conductor riding in the Amtrak locomotive, injuring over 100 passengers and crew members. A locked switch had directed Amtrak #91 into a siding where it hit a parked CSX train.
Will GOP Reconsider Redirecting Amtrak Funding After Train Crash?
Republican lawmakers got a first-hand lesson in train safety Wednesday when their chartered Amtrak train hit a trash truck at a grade crossing in Virginia, killing one in the truck. Trump's infrastructure plan redirects Amtrak and transit funding.

Focus on Positive Train Control after Amtrak Train 501 Derails in Washington
Excessive speed is thought to be the cause of the deadly derailment on Dec. 18. Positive train control, which likely would have slowed down the train, was installed on the tracks and locomotive but was not yet operational.

Problems on Denver's New Commuter Rail Lines Threaten Shutdown by Federal Regulators
The problems caused by crossing gates for the new A and B Lines are so serious that the Federal Railroad Administration had threatened to close both lines on Nov. 5. They granted the Regional Transit District a 90-day waiver.
Amtrak Receives $2.45 Billion Federally Secured Loan for New Acela Trains
Amtrak will replace, rather than overhaul, aging Acela trains with new, 186-mph trains from French manufacturer, Alstom, though they won't exceed 160 mph. The agreement was announced Friday by VP Joe Biden at Biden Station, Wilmington, Del.

Three Reasons Why High-Speed Rail Has Not Caught On in U.S.
If you guessed cheap gas, love of automobiles, or preference for air travel, you are correct, but those fall under one reason, "lack of demand." Two additional reasons are offered in this article for the construction industry.

Train Connection from Boston to Montreal Leaves the Station
An early approval from the Federal Railroad Administration has set the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative in motion.
NTSB Makes Urgent Recommendations to Address Crude-by-Rail Explosions
The National Transportation Safety Board called on federal regulators on Jan. 23 to approve several measures in light of a rash of oil train derailments and crude oil explosions as did their Canadian counterparts, the Transportation Safety Board.
Why are Crude Oil Trains Exploding Across North America?
Crude oil may be flammable, but until recently was not thought to be explosive. However, three recent oil train explosions all involving crude oil from the Bakken formation have prodded investigators to determine why Bakken crude is more explosive.
Pagination
City of Malibu
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Strategic Economics Inc
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.