49 U.S.C. § 20501 — Definition

Page 606 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 20501 § 20501. Definition In this chapter, ‘‘signal system’’ means a block signal system, an interlocking, automatic train stop, train control, or cab-signal device, or a similar appliance, method, device, or system intended to promote safety in railroad oper- ations. (Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 883.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 20501 .......... (no source). This section is added to eliminate the unnecessary repetition of the words used in the definition. The defi- nition is derived from 49 App.:26(b)–(f). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries SIGNAL PROTECTION Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title XI, § 11408, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1684, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2015], the Sec- retary [of Transportation] shall initiate a rulemaking to require that on-track safety regulations, whenever practicable and consistent with other safety require- ments and operational considerations, include requir- ing implementation of redundant signal protection for maintenance-of-way work crews who depend on a train dispatcher to provide signal protection. ‘‘(b) ALTERNATIVE SAFETY MEASURES.—The Secretary shall consider exempting from any final requirements of this section each segment of track for which oper- ations are governed by a positive train control system certified under section 20157 of title 49, United States Code, or any other safety technology or practice that would achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety in providing additional signal protection.’’ § 20502. Requirements for installation and use (a) INSTALLATION.—(1) When the Secretary of Transportation decides after an investigation that it is necessary in the public interest, the Secretary may order a railroad carrier to in- stall, on any part of its railroad line, a signal system that complies with requirements of the Secretary. The order must allow the carrier a reasonable time to complete the installation. A carrier may discontinue or materially alter a signal system required under this paragraph only with the approval of the Secretary. (2) A railroad carrier ordered under paragraph (1) of this subsection to install a signal system on one part of its railroad line may not be held negligent for not installing the system on any part of its line that was not included in the order. If an accident or incident occurs on a part of the line on which the signal system was not required to be installed and was not installed, the use of the system on another part of the line may not be considered in a civil action brought because of the accident or incident. (b) USE.—A railroad carrier may allow a signal system to be used on its railroad line only when the system, including its controlling and oper- ating appurtenances— (1) may be operated safely without unneces- sary risk of personal injury; and (2) has been inspected and can meet any test prescribed under this chapter. (Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 883.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 20502(a) ...... 49 App.:26(b). Feb. 4, 1887, ch. 104, 24 Stat. 379, § 25(b); added Feb. 28, 1920, ch. 91, § 441, 41 Stat. 498; restated Aug. 26, 1937, ch. 818, 50 Stat. 835; Sept. 18, 1940, ch. 722, § 14(b), 54 Stat. 919; June 22, 1988, Pub. L. 100–342, § 17(2), (8), 102 Stat. 635, 636. 49 App.:1655(e)(6)(A). Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, § 6(e)(6)(A), 80 Stat. 939. 20502(b) ...... 49 App.:26(e). Feb. 4, 1887, ch. 104, 24 Stat. 379, § 25(e); added Feb. 28, 1920, ch. 91, § 441, 41 Stat. 498; restated Aug. 26, 1937, ch. 818, 50 Stat. 836; Sept. 18, 1940, ch. 722, § 14(b), 54 Stat. 919; June 22, 1988, Pub. L. 100–342, § 17(5), 102 Stat. 636. In this section, the words ‘‘signal system’’ are sub- stituted for ‘‘block signal system, interlocking, auto- matic train stop, train control, and/or cab-signal de- vices, and/or other similar appliances, methods, and systems intended to promote the safety of railroad op- eration’’ and ‘‘such systems, devices, appliances, or methods’’ in 49 App.:26(b) and ‘‘any system, device, or appliance covered by this section’’ and ‘‘such appa- ratus’’ in 49 App.:26(e) because of the definition of ‘‘sig- nal system’’ in section 20501 of the revised title. In subsection (a)(1), the words ‘‘decides after an in- vestigation that it is necessary in the public interest’’ are substituted for ‘‘after investigation, if found nec- essary in the public interest’’ for clarity. The word ‘‘specifications’’ is omitted as included in ‘‘require- ments’’. The words ‘‘The order must allow the carrier a reasonable time to complete the installation’’ are substituted for ‘‘such order to be issued and published a reasonable time (as determined by the Secretary) in advance of the date for its fulfillment’’ to eliminate un- necessary words. The words ‘‘a signal system required under this paragraph’’ are substituted for ‘‘That block signal systems, interlocking, automatic train stop, train control, and cab-signal devices in use on August 26, 1937, or such systems or devices hereinafter in- stalled’’ to eliminate unnecessary or obsolete words and because of the definition of ‘‘signal system’’ in sec- tion 20501 of the revised title. In subsection (a)(2), the words ‘‘railroad line’’ are substituted for ‘‘railroad’’ for consistency in the re- vised title. The word ‘‘civil’’ is added for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words ‘‘or incident’’ are added for con- sistency in this part. In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words ‘‘may allow . . . only when’’ are substituted for ‘‘It shall be unlawful . . . unless . . . unless’’ for clarity. In clause (1), the words ‘‘in proper condition and’’ and ‘‘in the service to which it is put’’ are omitted as being covered by the words of the clause. The words ‘‘risk of personal injury’’ are substituted for ‘‘peril to life and limb’’ for clarity. The words ‘‘from time to time’’ are omitted as surplus. In clause (2), the words ‘‘prescribed under this chapter’’ are substituted for ‘‘in accordance with the provisions of this section’’ and ‘‘prescribed in the rules and regulations provided for in this section’’ for con- sistency and to eliminate unnecessary words. § 20503. Amending regulations and changing re- quirements The Secretary of Transportation may amend a regulation or change a requirement applicable to a railroad carrier for installing, maintaining, inspecting, or repairing a signal system under this chapter—