text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
  
      (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Positive Train 
  Control Safety Act''.
      (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
  follows:
  
  Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
  Sec. 2. Implementation deadline.
  Sec. 3. Transparency.
  Sec. 4. Positive train control on high-hazard flammable trains.
  Sec. 5. Coordination of spectrum.
  Sec. 6. Confidential close call reporting systems.
  Sec. 7. Commuter rail track inspections.
  Sec. 8. Positive train control at grade crossings effectiveness study.
  Sec. 9. Redundant signal protection.
  
  SEC. 2. IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE.
  
      Section 20157 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
              (1) by redesignating subsections (h) and (i) as subsections 
          (i) and (j), respectively; and
              (2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
      ``(h) Extension.--
              ``(1) In general.--After transmitting the report under 
          subsection (d), the Secretary may extend the implementation 
          deadline, in 1-year increments, upon application, if the 
          Secretary--
                      ``(A) determines that--
                              ``(i) full implementation will likely be 
                          infeasible due to circumstances beyond the 
                          control of the applicant, including funding 
                          availability, spectrum acquisition, resource 
                          and technology availability, and 
                          interoperability standards;
                              ``(ii) the applicant has demonstrated good 
                          faith in its positive train control 
                          implementation; and
                              ``(iii) the applicant has presented a 
                          revised positive train control implementation 
                          plan indicating how it will fully implement 
                          positive train control as soon as feasible, and 
                          not later than December 31, 2018; and
                      ``(B) has taken into consideration--
                              ``(i) whether the affected areas of track 
                          have been identified as areas of greater risk 
                          to the public and railroad employees in the 
                          applicant's positive train control 
                          implementation plan under section 
                          236.1011(a)(4) of title 49, Code of Federal 
                          Regulations; and
                              ``(ii) the risk of operational failure to 
                          the affected service areas and the applicant.
              ``(2) Application review.--Not later than 120 days after 
          the Secretary receives an application under paragraph (1), the 
          Secretary review and approve or disapprove the application.
              ``(3) Maximum extension.--The Secretary may extend the 
          implementation deadline for an applicant whose application is 
          under review, but may not extend the implementation deadline 
          beyond June 30, 2016.''.
  
  SEC. 3. TRANSPARENCY.
  
      Section 20157(a) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by 
  section 2, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
              ``(3) Progress reports.--
                      ``(A) In general.--Beginning 6 months after the 
                  date of the enactment of the Positive Train Control 
                  Safety Act, and annually thereafter until its positive 
                  train control system is certified by the Secretary 
                  under subsection (h), each Class I railroad carrier, 
                  and each entity providing regularly scheduled intercity 
                  or commuter rail passenger transportation, required to 
                  submit a plan under paragraph (1) shall submit a 
                  progress report to the Secretary on the status of the 
                  plan.
                      ``(B) Contents.--Each progress report submitted 
                  under subparagraph (A) shall include--
                              ``(i) a section describing--
                                      ``(I) the total number of positive 
                                  train control components required;
                                      ``(II) the number of such 
                                  components that have been installed, 
                                  equipped, or deployed;
                                      ``(III) the number of components 
                                  that remain to be installed, equipped, 
                                  or deployed; and
                                      ``(IV) an estimated completion date 
                                  for full positive train control system 
                                  completion;
                              ``(ii) a section summarizing--
                                      ``(I) the number of employees 
                                  requiring training under section 
                                  236.1041 of title 49, Code of Federal 
                                  Regulations; and
                                      ``(II) the status of such training 
                                  activities; and
                              ``(iii) a section summarizing the remaining 
                          challenges to full positive train control 
                          system implementation, including--
                                      ``(I) testing issues;
                                      ``(II) interoperability challenges; 
                                  and
                                      ``(III) certification challenges.
                      ``(C) Defined term.--In this paragraph, the term 
                  `component' means a locomotive apparatus, a wayside 
                  interface unit, switches in non-signal positive train 
                  control territory, a base station radio, a wayside 
                  radio, or a locomotive radio.
                      ``(D) Public availability.--Not later than 30 days 
                  after receiving a progress report under this paragraph, 
                  the Secretary shall make the report available on the 
                  website of the Federal Railroad Administration.''.
  
  SEC. 4. POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL ON HIGH-HAZARD FLAMMABLE TRAINS.
  
      Section 20157(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by 
  this Act, is further amended--
              (1) by striking ``Not later than 18 months after the date 
          of enactment of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, each'' 
          and inserting ``Each'';
              (2) in subparagraph (B)--
                      (A) by striking ``parts'' and inserting 
                  ``sections''; and
                      (B) by striking ``transported; and'' and inserting 
                  ``transported on or after December 31, 2015;'';
              (3) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); 
          and
              (4) by inserting after subparagraph (B), the following:
                      ``(C) its main line over which 20 or more tank cars 
                  loaded with petroleum crude oil, ethanol, or other 
                  Class 3 material (as described in section 172.101 of 
                  title 49, Code of Federal Regulations) are transported; 
                  and''.
  
  SEC. 5. COORDINATION OF SPECTRUM.
  
      (a) Coordination of Spectrum.--Subchapter II of chapter 201 of 
  title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
  following:
  ``Sec. 20168. Electromagnetic spectrum
      ``Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of the 
  Positive Train Control Safety Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in 
  coordination with the Chairman of the Federal Communications 
  Commission, shall assess spectrum needs and availability for 
  implementing positive train control systems (as defined in section 
  20157(j)). In carrying out this section, the Secretary and the Chairman 
  may consult with external stakeholders.''.
      (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 201 of 
  title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item 
  relating to section 20167 the following:
  
  ``20168. Electromagnetic spectrum.''.
  
  SEC. 6. CONFIDENTIAL CLOSE CALL REPORTING SYSTEMS.
  
      (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United 
  States Code, as amended by section 6(a), is further amended by adding 
  at the end the following:
  ``Sec. 20169. Confidential close call reporting systems
      ``(a) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
  enactment of the Positive Train Control Safety Act, the Secretary shall 
  promulgate regulations setting forth the requirements that an 
  applicable railroad carrier shall follow in establishing a confidential 
  close call reporting system program. The Secretary may use any 
  information and experience gathered through research and pilot programs 
  on confidential close call reporting systems in developing regulations 
  under this subsection, including continuing the use of third parties 
  for the collection of close call reports and distribution of close call 
  data. The Secretary shall ensure that an applicable railroad carrier's 
  employees receive protection under its program from any related Federal 
  Railroad Administration enforcement actions.
      ``(b) Program Development and Oversight.--
              ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
          on which final regulations are promulgated under subsection 
          (a), an applicable railroad carrier shall develop and submit a 
          proposed confidential close call reporting system program to 
          the Secretary for review and approval.
              ``(2) Contents.--The proposal submitted by a railroad 
          carrier under paragraph (1) shall--
                      ``(A) a describe the core principles and values of 
                  its proposed program;
                      ``(B) explain the rights, roles, and 
                  responsibilities of program stakeholders;
                      ``(C) identify concerns and interests; and
                      ``(D) describe how the program will operate.
              ``(3) Review.--
                      ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall review and 
                  approve or disapprove each proposed program within a 
                  reasonable amount of time. If a proposed program is not 
                  approved, the Secretary shall notify the applicable 
                  railroad carrier in writing of the specific areas in 
                  which the proposed program is deficient. The applicable 
                  railroad carrier shall correct all deficiencies within 
                  a reasonable period of time following receipt of 
                  written notice from the Secretary.
                      ``(B) Updates.--An applicable railroad carrier 
                  shall update its program as needed and obtain the 
                  Secretary's approval prior to making any major changes 
                  to its program.
                      ``(C) Annual reviews.--The Secretary shall conduct 
                  an annual review to ensure that each applicable 
                  railroad carrier is in compliance with its approved 
                  program.
      ``(c) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
  enactment of the Positive Train Control Safety Act, each applicable 
  railroad carrier shall establish a confidential close call reporting 
  system.
      ``(d) Program Elements.--Each applicable railroad carrier shall--
              ``(1) provide a safe environment for its employees to 
          report unsafe events and conditions;
              ``(2) for unsafe events and conditions reported within the 
          scope of a confidential close call reporting system, ensure 
          that its employees are protected from railroad carrier 
          discipline;
              ``(3) use information collected through the confidential 
          close call reporting system to develop and implement targeted 
          corrective actions, as appropriate; and
              ``(4) use information collected by the system to supplement 
          inspection data in identifying safety issues and emerging risks 
          before they develop into accidents.
      ``(e) Consensus.--
              ``(1) In general.--Each applicable railroad carrier shall 
          consult with, employ good faith with, and use its best efforts 
          to reach agreement with all of its directly affected employees, 
          including any nonprofit employee labor organization 
          representing a class or craft of directly affected employees of 
          the applicable railroad carrier, on the development and 
          implementation of the proposed program.
              ``(2) Statements.--If an applicable railroad carrier and 
          its directly affected employees, including any nonprofit 
          employee labor organization representing a class or craft of 
          directly affected employees of the applicable railroad carrier, 
          cannot reach consensus on the development and implementation of 
          the proposed program, then directly affected employees and such 
          organization may file a statement with the Secretary explaining 
          their views on the proposed program on which consensus was not 
          reached. The Secretary shall consider such views during review 
          of the proposed program under subsection (b)(3)(A).
      ``(f) Voluntary Program Establishment.--Any railroad carrier that 
  is not an applicable railroad carrier may voluntarily establish a 
  program under this section. This section, and any regulations 
  promulgated under this section, shall apply to a program that is 
  voluntarily established.
      ``(g) Use of Data.--The Secretary may use the confidential close 
  call reporting data when--
              ``(1) implementing or updating the Federal Railroad 
          Administration's National Inspection Plan;
              ``(2) performing focused inspections; or
              ``(3) developing agency rulemakings and guidance, as 
          appropriate.
      ``(h) Defined Term.--In this section, the term `applicable railroad 
  carrier' means a railroad carrier that--
              ``(1) is a Class I railroad;
              ``(2) has inadequate safety performance, as determined by 
          the Secretary; or
              ``(3) provides intercity rail passenger or commuter rail 
          passenger transportation.
      ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
  appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary--
              ``(1) to implement this section; and
              ``(2) to support the nationwide implementation of 
          confidential close call reporting system programs, as the 
          Secretary determines appropriate.''.
      (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 201 of 
  title 49, United States Code, as amended by section 7(b), is further 
  amended by adding at the end the following:
  
  ``20169. Confidential close call reporting systems.''.
  
  SEC. 7. COMMUTER RAIL TRACK INSPECTIONS.
  
      (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United 
  States Code, as amended by sections 6 and 7, is further amended by 
  adding at the end the following:
  ``Sec. 20170. Commuter rail track inspections
      ``(a) In General.--When performing a required inspection under 
  subpart F of part 213 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, a 
  railroad carrier providing commuter rail passenger transportation on 
  high density commuter railroad lines (as described in section 
  213.233(b)(3) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations) shall--
              ``(1) at least once each 2 weeks--
                      ``(A) traverse each main line by vehicle; or
                      ``(B) inspect each main line on foot; and
              ``(2) at least once each month, traverse and inspect each 
          siding by vehicle or by foot.
      ``(b) Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to 
  limit the authority of the Secretary to promulgate regulations or issue 
  orders under any other law.''.
      (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 201 of 
  title 49, United States Code, as amended by sections 6 and 7, is 
  further amended by adding at the end the following:
  
  ``20170. Commuter rail track inspections.''.
  
  SEC. 8. POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL AT GRADE CROSSINGS EFFECTIVENESS STUDY.
  
      (a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation 
  with the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, shall 
  conduct a study of the effectiveness of positive train control and 
  related technologies on reducing collisions at highway-rail grade 
  crossings.
      (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
  appropriated such sums as may be necessary to conduct the study 
  described in subsection (a).
  
  SEC. 9. REDUNDANT SIGNAL PROTECTION.
  
      Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the 
  Positive Train Control Safety Act, the Secretary of Transportation 
  shall promulgate such regulations as the Secretary considers necessary 
  to require that on-track safety programs, as described in subpart C of 
  part 214 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, whenever practicable 
  and consistent with other safety requirements and operational 
  considerations, include requiring implementation of redundant signal 
  protection, such as shunting, for maintenance-of-way work crews who 
  depend on a train dispatcher to provide signal protection.
target: Positive Train Control Safety Act This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT) to extend the deadline, in one-year increments, for implementation of positive train control systems if full implementation by the existing deadline will likely be infeasible due to circumstances beyond the control of the applicant, and other certain other criteria are met. Each Class I railroad carrier, and each entity providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation, must submit annual progress reports to DOT on the status of fits implementation plan. Such plans shall now be required for any such carrier or entity governing operations on a main line over which 20 or more tank cars loaded with petroleum crude oil, ethanol, or other Class 3 material are transported. DOT shall assess electromagnetic spectrum needs and availability for implementing positive train control systems. Applicable railroad carriers shall establish a confidential close call reporting system program subject to DOT regulations.  A railroad carrier providing commuter rail passenger transportation on high density commuter railroad lines, when performing a required inspection, shall:  at least once each two weeks traverse each line by vehicle or inspect each main line on foot, and at least once each month traverse and inspect each siding by vehicle or by foot.  DOT shall:  study the effectiveness of positive train control and related technologies on reducing collisions at highway-rail grade crossings; and  promulgate regulations to require that on-track safety programs, whenever practicable and consistent with other safety requirements and operational considerations, include requiring implementation of redundant signal protection, such as shunting, for maintenance-of-way work crews who depend on a train dispatcher to provide signal protection. 
feat_title: Positive Train Control Safety Act