National Freight Advisory Committee holds Inaugural Meeting

The USDOT's National Freight Advisory Committee held its inaugural meeting yesterday in Washington. The Committee was created to provide advice and recommendations to the DOT Secretary on matters involving freight transportation and the implementation of the MAP-21 legislation (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act), 23 USC Sec. 101 et seq. According to the Committee's Charter, the main topics the Committee is to provide assistance and advice to DOT are: 1. Development of a National Freight Strategic Plan; 2. Establishment of a National Freight Network; 3. Strategies to assist States in developing State Freight Advisory Committees and State Freight Plans; 4. Development of measures of the condition, safety, and performance of the freight network, and 5. Development of freight transportation investment, data, and planning tools. The Committee's website link, is attached here. Included on the site is the membership of the Committee, its Charter, and the agenda for the first meeting.

Increased Rail Haz Mat Penalties Published

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), published today revised civil monetary penalties for the violation of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. The FRA rule implements the increased penalties enacted in July 2012 with the passage of the MAP-21 Act (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act). The increased penalties, which apply to all violations of the federal haz mat transportation laws after October 1, 2012, increase the maximum civil penalty from $50,000 to $75,000 for "knowing violations," and from $100,000 to $175,000 if the violation "results in death, serious injury or severe injury to any person, or substantial destruction of property." Also, the prior minimum penalty of $250 has been eliminated, except that a $450 minimum penalty will apply to training violations.