Beyer Introduces Legislative Package to Modernize Rail Infrastructure

U.S. Representative Don Beyer (VA-08) introduced a three-bill legislative package to prepare America's rail system for the next generation of passenger and freight transportation by supporting the deployment of clean technologies, identifying electrification opportunities, and strengthening rail network planning.

"Rail remains one of the most efficient ways to move people and goods, and new technologies are creating opportunities to improve efficiency and reliability," said Congressman Beyer. "We should be evaluating where it makes sense to implement these technologies, what barriers stand in the way, and how we can further support innovation to strengthen our transportation systems and improve operational flexibility. I am particularly invested in eliminating barriers between our Southeastern U.S. rail corridors and the Northeast Corridor to create a seamless connection, which my Rail Motive Power Source Integration Act and Southeastern Rail Technologies Mapping Act would both address. This slate of bills will help provide the data and assessments needed to guide those decisions and to make smarter investments in our rail corridors across the country."

The three-bill legislative package includes:

• The American Electric Rail Mapping Act, co-led with Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA), to direct the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to assess rail electrification opportunities across the U.S. The study would identify rail corridors where electrification may be feasible and evaluate opportunities to deploy clean rail technologies throughout our national rail network.

"Countries around the world are racing ahead with modern rail systems while America risks standing still," said Congressman Seth Moulton. "This bill takes a practical step by directing the Federal Railroad Administration to identify where rail electrification makes economic sense for passenger and freight service. If we want a more efficient, competitive, and reliable rail network, we need the data to make smart investments and bring our infrastructure into the 21st century."

• The Rail Motive Power Source Integration Act to establish a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) research and development pilot program to support the integration of multiple power sources into a locomotive, including clean rail technologies such as electrification, batteries, and hydrogen. The legislation would support research into interoperability challenges, evaluate the feasibility of integrating multiple power sources, and develop railcar designs that facilitate transitions between power sources. Flexible power source designs would enable railcars to seamlessly pass through corridors where they otherwise would be restricted by their power source and the track's infrastructure, such as the passenger rail transfer between Virginia and the Northeast Corridor.

• The Southeastern Rail Technologies Mapping Act to direct the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to evaluate opportunities for rail electrification and other advanced rail technologies along the rail corridor connecting Florida and Washington, D.C. The study would identify suitable segments for deployment of new and clean rail technologies, assess implementation challenges, and recommend infrastructure improvements to enable adoption of cleaner rail technologies.

Full text of the American Electric Rail Mapping Act, Rail Motive Power Source Integration Act, and Southeastern Rail Technologies Mapping Act is available at the links provided.