FRA Administrator Cover Letter

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November 10, 2009

Subject: Track Inspector Survey
Dear <>:
As you may know, the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 has charged the Federal
Railroad Administration with the responsibility for preparing a Track Inspection Time
Study for Congress. This report must address several aspects of the track inspection
process including the intervals for inspection of different classes of track, methods of
inspection, remedial actions, and the speed at which railroad track inspection vehicles
operate and the scope of the territory that they cover. To assemble the information that
the FRA needs to prepare this report, we are undertaking several data collection
activities. Data from a survey of track inspectors will provide much of the information
that the FRA needs for this report as well as our recommendations to Congress.
You are among a group of randomly selected track inspectors that are being asked to
complete the enclosed survey. BMWED supports the FRA’s efforts to collect this data
and has provided a list of their members to receive this survey. To insure that your
response is kept private, the FRA has engaged the services of QinetiQ North America
Technology Solutions Group (TSG) for executing the survey. The names and personal
information of the participants will be kept private to the extent provided by law, and the
data gathered will only be used to compile the information as a group. After the study’s
conclusion, all the personal data gathered, including the names and addresses of survey
participants, will be destroyed and only the compiled information will be incorporated
into our Report to Congress.
Please provide responses to all of the items on the enclosed survey. The survey
instrument includes the names of individuals at TSG that you may contact with questions.
A postage-paid envelope is included for the return of your completed survey. Please
return the survey by February 1, 2010.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this important survey.
Sincerely,

Joseph Szabo
Administrator