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Freight Rail
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News
- Click here to read the announcement of Security Standards for Freight and Passenger Rail systems.
Training Materials Available
We have produced a CD-ROM-based training program titled, "IED Recognition and Detection for Railroad Industry Employees," and a supplemental brochure entitled, "Freight Rail Security Awareness."
- Click here for more information and to order these training materials.
Security Standards For Freight And Passenger Rail Systems – Final Rule
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) regulations aimed at strengthening the security of the nation's freight and passenger rail systems and reducing the risk associated with the transportation of security-sensitive materials was published in the Federal Register on Nov. 26, 2008.
- Click here to learn more about the Rail Security Final Rule.
TSNM Freight Rail Participates in the 96th Annual ALSRRA Conference
From Apr. 25-28, 2009, members of TSNM’s Freight Rail Division took part in the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s (ALSRRA) 96th Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nev. More than 1,300 members and over 130 exhibitors participated in the convention. For the TSNM Freight Rail Division, the convention provided an opportunity to discuss the Rail Transportation Security Rule (49 CFR 1580). Scott Gorton, Director of Freight Rail Policy, and Brian Lusty, Director of Freight Rail Programs, briefed participants on the new security requirements for the transportation of rail security-sensitive materials (RSSM), including Toxic Inhalation Hazards (TIH), as well as discussed the expectations of the Rail Security Coordinator (RSC) provision of the rule.
More information on the 2009 conference can be found at: http://www.aslrra.org/meetings___seminars/2009_annual_convention/index.cfm
Rail Transportation Security Rule Workshops
In March 2009, the TSNM Freight Rail Division conducted a series of one-day workshops to assist regulated entities with understanding the requirements of the Rail Transportation Security Rule (49 CFR 1580). Over 300 people participated in the workshops, including freight rail stakeholders, as well as chemical shippers and receivers, along with TSA personnel. Workshops were held in Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia. In Houston, TSNM Freight Rail presented a half-day workshop which followed the American Chemistry Council 2009 ChemSecure Conference and Expo. The Freight Rail Division provided a detailed overview of the Rail Transportation Security Rule. Attendees also heard presentations from the Surface Transportation Security Inspector Program on what to expect from the inspector. Members from TSA’s Sensitive Security Information (SSI) Office also made a presentation regarding the new rail-centric SSI requirements under 49 CFR 1520.
Click here to view the workshop presentations.
Freight Rail Division Participates in ASLRRA Regional Conferences
In September 2008, representatives from TSNM’s Freight Rail Division attended the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s (ASLRRA) Southeast Conference in Charlotte, N.C. This conference gave TSNM personnel a chance to view presentations which included information on Federal programs that affect short line railroads and briefings on some of the short line railroads around the country. Additionally, Coast Guard and TSNM Freight Rail representatives spoke jointly on the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. The TSNM Freight Rail Stakeholder Relations team will continue to reach out to other Short Line Railroads through ASLRRA during future conferences.
Visit the ASLRRA Homepage: http://www.aslrra.org/home/index.cfm
TSNM Freight Rail Meeting with ACC
On Nov. 19, 2008 TSNM Freight Rail members Jack Aherne, Scott Gorton and Mark Gerade as well as representatives from the DHS Directorate for Science and Technology participated in a joint meeting of the American Chemistry Council’s Distribution Committee and Security Committee to discuss a number of transportation security issues including TSA’s Freight Rail Security rulemaking which was published in the Federal Register on Nov. 26, 2008 (73FR72130), the 2009 Freight Rail Security Grant Program (FRSGP) Guidance as it relates to GPS tank car tracking, the Response and Recovery Technologies Program which is looking at ways to reduce Toxic Inhalation Hazards tank car and storage tank vulnerabilities, and an update of TSA’s TIH material dispersion modeling project.
