Rail Safety:
States' Reaction to Proposed Elimination of Inspection Funding
RCED-87-84FS: Published: Feb 6, 1987. Publicly Released: Feb 24, 1987.
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In response to a congressional request, GAO provided information on how the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) elimination of support funds under its State Safety Participation Program would affect the number of state railroad safety inspectors.
GAO found that, of the 44 states that responded to its questionnaire: (1) most that received partial funding for state rail safety inspectors through the program believed they would have to decrease their railroad safety inspection activities if FRA eliminated the program; (2) 3 would cancel their inspection programs; (3) 18 had rail safety inspection programs prior to receiving FRA funds; (4) most participated in the program because they needed additional funds for their inspection activities; (5) most would continue to coordinate with FRA on inspection activities; (6) most were in the program because they felt that a coordinated national rail safety inspection program was important; (7) 16 were somewhat dissatisfied with FRA coordination with states to prevent duplication of inspection work, 7 were very dissatisfied, and 13 were somewhat satisfied; and (8) 4 of the program administrators said that their states are considering withdrawing from the program due to the FRA desire to eliminate it. GAO also found that: (1) 12 states obtained funding from railroad assessments, while 16 received funding from general tax revenues; (2) 18 would probably use railroad assessments to replace eliminated federal funds, while 10 would use general taxes; (3) 22 participate in the program because of a need for more precise rail safety standards; and (4) 7 did not participate in the program due to a lack of state funds.
Oct 3, 2018
Positive Train Control:
Most Passenger Railroads Expect to Request an Extension and Substantial Work Remains Beyond 2018GAO-19-135T: Published: Oct 3, 2018. Publicly Released: Oct 3, 2018.
Sep 13, 2018
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Positive Train Control:
Most Railroads Expect to Request an Extension, and Substantial Work Remains Beyond 2018GAO-18-692T: Published: Sep 13, 2018. Publicly Released: Sep 13, 2018.
Sep 5, 2018
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Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway:
Assessing Risks and Measuring Performance Could Improve Maritime TransportationGAO-18-610: Published: Sep 5, 2018. Publicly Released: Sep 5, 2018.
Jul 30, 2018
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Public Transit Partnerships:
Additional Information Needed to Clarify Data Reporting and Share Best PracticesGAO-18-539: Published: Jul 30, 2018. Publicly Released: Jul 30, 2018.
Jul 26, 2018
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Aviation Security:
Basic Training Program for Transportation Security Officers Would Benefit from Performance Goals and MeasuresGAO-18-552: Published: Jul 26, 2018. Publicly Released: Jul 26, 2018.
Jul 19, 2018
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Highway and Transit Projects:
Better Data Needed to Assess Changes in the Duration of Environmental ReviewsGAO-18-536: Published: Jul 19, 2018. Publicly Released: Jul 19, 2018.
Jul 12, 2018
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Aviation Security:
Actions Needed to Better Identify and Track U.S.-Bound Public Charter Operations from CubaGAO-18-526: Published: Jul 12, 2018. Publicly Released: Jul 12, 2018.
May 31, 2018
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Capital Investment Grants Program:
FTA Should Address Several Statutory ProvisionsGAO-18-462: Published: May 31, 2018. Publicly Released: May 31, 2018.
May 29, 2018
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Interstate Pipeline Inspections:
Additional Planning Could Help DOT Determine Appropriate Level of State ParticipationGAO-18-461: Published: May 29, 2018. Publicly Released: May 29, 2018.
May 24, 2018
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Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems:
FAA Should Improve Its Management of Safety RisksGAO-18-110: Published: May 24, 2018. Publicly Released: May 24, 2018.
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