Bill delays train safety technology mandate 3 to 5 years

WASHINGTON - The House passed a bill Tuesday that delays for three to five years the mandate for railroads to put long-sought safety technology in place.

Federal accident investigators say the technology, known as positive train control, would have prevented the Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia in May that killed eight and injured about 200 had it been working. Amtrak had installed the technology on tracks where the crash occurred, but its operation had been delayed by budgetary shortfalls, technical hurdles, and bureaucratic rules.

The bill passed by a voice vote with little debate. Railroads and companies that ship freight by rail have lobbied Congress heavily for a delay. Under the bill, railroads would have until Dec. 31, 2018, to install positive train control and could seek a waiver for up to two more years if needed.

The bill also extends the government's authority to spend money on highway programs through Nov. 20 in an effort to buy time for Congress to pass a long-term transportation bill. Current authority is due to expire Thursday.

Senate action is still required.

The safety technology relies on GPS, wireless radio, and computers to monitor train position and automatically slow or stop trains that are in danger of colliding or derailing due to excessive speed. A 2008 law gave railroads until the end of this year to implement the technology on all tracks that carry passenger trains or are used by trains to haul liquids that turn into toxic gas if spilled.

Most railroads are not expected to make the deadline. Many were late getting started while they waited for the government to develop standards for the technology and while they tried to decide which approach best suited their needs.

Failing to delay the deadline "will have devastating economic impacts," said Rep. Bill Shuster (R., Pa.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and chief sponsor of the bill.

"Not only will railroads stop shipping important chemicals critical to manufacturing, agriculture, clean drinking water and other industrial activities, but passenger and commuter rail transportation will virtually screech to a halt."