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Standards and Regulations

Freight Rail

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.

The Rail Security final rule requires freight and passenger rail carriers to designate rail security coordinators and report significant security concerns to TSA. The rule also will codify TSA's broad inspection authority. For freight rail, the rule ensures the positive handoff of security-sensitive materials as well as establishes security protocols for custody transfers of security-sensitive material rail cars between receivers of these materials that are located in high threat urban areas, shippers of these materials, and rail carriers.

To raise the level of security in the freight rail transportation sector ahead of the final rule, both TSA and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) developed security action items, along with the freight rail industry, to reduce the risk associated with the transportation of Poisonous by Inhalation (PIH) materials. These measures have resulted in an overall risk reduction of more than 60 percent, well above the target reduction of 50 percent. PIH materials are potentially harmful and include essential chemicals like chlorine and anhydrous ammonia. PIH materials represent less than one percent of all hazardous materials rail shipments.

The freight rail provisions of the rule addresses the transport of security-sensitive materials by rail, from start to finish, including shipment handoffs, secure areas for transfers, and reporting of shipment locations to TSA.

Rail Security Rule Resources

• Click here to see the High Threat Urban Area Maps.
• Click here to read the Rail Security Rule.
• Click here to read the Rail Security Rule Frequently Asked Questions.