Railroad Safety Technology Grants

To facilitate the deployment of train control technologies, train control component technologies, processor-based technologies, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, rail integrity inspection systems, rail integrity warning systems, switch posi

The Railroad Safety Technology Grants Program funds projects that enhance railroad safety by implementing a Positive Train Control (PTC) system or benefiting overall PTC implementation on freight, intercity passenger, and commuter railroads.

Profit organization, Interstate, Intrastate, State, Local

Passenger and freight railroad carriers; Railroad suppliers; and State and local governments for projects that have a public benefit of improved safety and network efficiency. To be eligible for assistance, the above entities subject to 49 U.S.C. 20157(a) must have submitted a revised Positive Train Control Implementation Plan (PTCIP) to FRA as required by 49 U.S.C. 20157(a). FRA considers the development and submission of a revised PTCIP under 49 U.S.C. 20157(a) to meet the eligibility requirement related to submitting a plan required under 49 U.S.C. 20156(e)(2) containing an analysis of the impact, feasibility, costs and benefits of implementing PTC system technology. FRA believes that any submission connected to sec. 20156(e)(2), which has yet to be incorporated into a federal regulation, would merely be duplicative of what a railroad analyzed when it developed and submitted a revised PTCIP. Thus, FRA considers the submission of a revised PTCIP to meet the eligibility requirements in 49 U.S.C. 20158(b)(3) for purposes of this NOFO. If an applicant is not required to comply with either sec. 20157(a) or sec. 20156(e)(2), the applicant must demonstrate that to FRA's satisfaction in its NOFO application Individuals are not eligible for these awards

The Railroad Safety Technology Grants Program funds projects that enhance railroad safety by implementing a Positive Train Control (PTC) system or benefiting overall PTC implementation on freight, intercity passenger, and commuter railroads. These projects focus on development and deployment of technologies that will lower the costs, speed implementation, increase interoperability, and improve the reliability of PTC systems. The FRA is particularly interested in development and deployment on the following topics related to PTC: elimination of PTC communications interference; configuration management of multi-railroad PTC software and firmware deployments; and host-tenant railroad PTC interoperability/system certification. In addition, the establishment and management of collaborative interoperability coordination groups, that may be used to resolve industry-wide PTC technical and management issues, were eligible for funding. Examples of eligible projects include the following: • Costs for implementation, installation, and testing of PTC systems; • Costs for shared PTC infrastructure (e.g., back office systems, CAD systems); and • Costs to advance PTC interoperability, such as pilot programs, standardization committees, development of standard processes, and spectrum acquisition, sharing, and desensitization.

The Railroad Safety Technology Grants Program funds projects that enhance railroad safety by implementing a Positive Train Control (PTC) system or benefiting overall PTC implementation on freight, intercity passenger, and commuter railroads. These projects focus on development and deployment of technologies that will lower the costs, speed implementation, increase interoperability, and improve the reliability of PTC systems. The FRA is particularly interested in development and deployment on the following topics related to PTC: elimination of PTC communications interference; configuration management of multi-railroad PTC software and firmware deployments; and host-tenant railroad PTC interoperability/system certification. In addition, the establishment and management of collaborative interoperability coordination groups, that may be used to resolve industry-wide PTC technical and management issues, were eligible for funding. Examples of eligible projects include the following: • Costs for implementation, installation, and testing of PTC systems; • Costs for shared PTC infrastructure (e.g., back office systems, CAD systems); and • Costs to advance PTC interoperability, such as pilot programs, standardization committees, development of standard processes, and spectrum acquisition, sharing, and desensitization. Grant funds may not be used for lobbying or in direct support of litigation. 100 percent of the funds are discretionary grants.

No restriction on period of time the assistance normally is available. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: FRA will award grants for the full federal amount; however, recipients shall receive funds on a reimbursable basis. Funding will only be obligated and disbursed as milestones are achieved.

Pre-application coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Applications proceed through a three-part application review process, as follows: • Screening applications for completeness and eligibility; • Evaluating the technical merit and benefits of eligible applications; and • Selecting projects for funding Evaluation criteria included: PTC Deployment Benefits; Technical Merit; and Project Development approach. The following selection criteria ensured that the projects selected for funding advance FRA's current mission and key priorities: 1) Alignment with the DOT Strategic Goals and Priorities 2) Project Delivery Performance 3) Region/Location 4) Innovation/Resource Development.

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov (opens in new window) (opens in new window). Required documents for an application package are: Project Narrative, Statement of Work, Benefit-Cost Analysis, Environmental Compliance Documentation, SF424 - Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424C - Budget Information for Construction, or, for an equipment procurement project without any construction costs, or SF 424A - Budget Information for Non-Construction, SF 424D - Assurances for Construction, or, for an equipment procurement project without any construction costs, or SF 424B - Assurances for Non-Construction, FRA's Additional Assurances and Certifications, SF LLL - Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.

Not Applicable. FRA is committed to responding to applicants in a reasonable and timely manner. Response times will vary based on size, scope, complexity and volume of applications.