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Re: Will it clear or not? Something happened in posting...
Author: Dr Zarkoff
Date: 12-28-2021 - 17:08
The FRA and FTC regulate operational considerations (train separation, like freight only at night when the light rail isn't operating) and equipment configurations (glazing standards, coupler heights, crashworthiness, etc.).
The State PUCs have jurisdiction over clearances around the track structure, which includes walkway configurations and clearances to telephone and power poles, loading docks, overhead trolley wire, and power lines crossing the track. These vary from State to State. For example, California clearances are more restrictive than Texas ones ("restrictive" meaning in a sense "larger clearances").
What has created a lot of confusion is that about 25 years ago State PUCs were empowered to enforce FRA Regulations. However, this hasn't changed the jurisdictional separation between PUC regs and FRA ones.
Muddying the waters in San Diego is that SDMTS isn't an interstate carrier, but it has freight trains are interstate commerce, which brings in the FRA. But the FRA doesn't have jurisdiction over clearances around the track.
The State PUCs have jurisdiction over clearances around the track structure, which includes walkway configurations and clearances to telephone and power poles, loading docks, overhead trolley wire, and power lines crossing the track. These vary from State to State. For example, California clearances are more restrictive than Texas ones ("restrictive" meaning in a sense "larger clearances").
What has created a lot of confusion is that about 25 years ago State PUCs were empowered to enforce FRA Regulations. However, this hasn't changed the jurisdictional separation between PUC regs and FRA ones.
Muddying the waters in San Diego is that SDMTS isn't an interstate carrier, but it has freight trains are interstate commerce, which brings in the FRA. But the FRA doesn't have jurisdiction over clearances around the track.
