P.L. 109-59 (Sec. 9005 of SAFETEA-LU)

SEC. 9005. WELDED RAIL AND TANK CAR SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS. (a) Track Standards.--Section 20142 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(e) Track Standards.-- ``(1) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> In general.--Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Federal Railroad Administration shall-- ``(A) require each track owner using continuous welded rail track to include procedures (in its procedures filed with the Administration pursuant to section 213.119 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations) to improve the identification of cracks in rail joint bars; ``(B) instruct Administration track inspectors to obtain copies of the most recent continuous welded rail programs of each railroad within the inspectors' areas of responsibility and require that inspectors use those programs when conducting track inspections; and ``(C) establish a program to review continuous welded rail joint bar inspection data from railroads and Administration track inspectors periodically. ``(2) Inspection.--Whenever the Administration determines that it is necessary or appropriate, the Administration may require railroads to increase the frequency of inspection, or improve the methods of inspection, of joint bars in continuous welded rail.''. (b) Tank Car Standards.-- (1) Amendment.--Subchapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 20155. Tank cars ``(a) <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> Standards.--The Federal Railroad Administration shall-- ``(1) validate a predictive model to quantify the relevant dynamic forces acting on railroad tank cars under accident conditions within 1 year after the date of enactment of this section; and [[Page 119 STAT. 1925]] ``(2) initiate a <<NOTE: Regulations.>> rulemaking to develop and implement appropriate design standards for pressurized tank cars within 18 months after the date of enactment of this section. ``(b) Older Tank Car Impact Resistance Analysis and Report.--Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this section the Federal Railroad Administration shall conduct a comprehensive analysis to determine the impact resistance of the steels in the shells of pressure tank cars constructed before 1989. Within 6 months after completing that analysis the Administration shall transmit a report, including recommendations for reducing any risk of catastrophic fracture and separation of such cars, to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.''. (2) Table of sections amendment.--The table of sections for subchapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: ``20155. Tank cars.''.