The Safe Tracks Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to strengthen safety requirements for train dispatching and traffic control systems used by railroads. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Transportation to update federal regulations within 30 days of the law's enactment to apply existing safety standards (found in the Federal Railroad Administration's regulations) to both current and future centralized computer-aided train-dispatching systems and centralized traffic control boards. This legislation affects railroads that operate these systems, as they will need to comply with the enhanced safety requirements. The bill contains no specific funding provisions or extended timelines, instead focusing on regulatory changes to ensure consistent safety oversight of the computerized systems that control train movements and rail traffic.
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