By Ernest R. Frazier Sr. Esq, President and Daniel M. Collins, Consultant,
Countermeasures Assessment and Security Experts, Inc.As a result of ASLRRA and FRA discussions held in the fall of calendar year
2010 it became evidently clear – the existing Rail Corridor Risk Management
System (RCRMS) is not a viable risk assessment tool for short line railroads
with only one route. Many of the one route railroads have struggled with
RCRMS in an attempt to become compliant with the Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration regulation entitled “Enhancing Rail
Transportation Safety and Security for Hazardous Materials Shipments” 49 CFR
172.820. In essence RCRMS requires the presence of alternatives routes to make
this decision support tool an effective risk assessment methodology.

In recognition of this problem for a segment of our industry, ASLRRA and
one of its associate members, Countermeasures Assessments and Security
Experts (CASE), approached FRA with an alternative for Class III railroads
with only one route. This approach consisted of a template designed by CASE

incorporating the 27 Risk Factors within RCRMS, but presented in a fashion
more appropriate for railroads possessing only one route. The CASE Team
developed a risk assessment tool that for each of the 27 factors, spread risk over
the range of high-medium-low-and not appropriate. This categorization of risk is
based on CASE’s years of experience in railroad safety and security matters. In
addition Case has gained a level of field risk assessment expertise due to the fact
that CASE has conducted over 20 vulnerability assessments on short line and
regional railroads, where hazardous materials routing is one key risk assessment
component. FRA agreed that the use of this template would satisfy the short
term requirements of RCRMS for these railroads in analyzing risk over their one
and only route.

A template was designed and mailed in November 2010 to ASLRRA member
railroads that possess one route and one interchange (42 railroads) and railroads
with one route and multiple interchanges (28 railroads). Each of these railroads
was asked to fill in the data and when completed, to return a copy to ASLRRA.
As of this publication date, the railroads listed below completed the template and
were gracious enough to return a copy to ASLRRA.

One Route/One Interchange
Interchange

AN Railway, L.L.C.
Company

Central Washington Railroad

Columbia Basin Railroad Co.

Falls Railroad (No TIH)
(No TIH)

Florida Central Railroad Co.

New York & Ogdensburg Railway (No TIH)Green Mountain Railroad (No TIH)

Ohio Valley Railroad Co. (No TIH)
TIH)

San Luis Central Railroad Co.
TIH)

San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad

South Central Tennessee Railroad

Tennessee Southern Railroad Co.

Texas-New Mexico Railroad Company

Valdosta Railway, L.P.

Washington County Railroad Co. (No TIH)

West Texas & Lubbock Railway

Completed templates continue to arrive weekly. The CASE Team has agreed to
analyze the data to assign weights to the 27 different factors based on actual data
and as an outcome develop a more permanent solution. Preliminary results
already indicate that certain risk fields are indicating higher risk levels such as
presence or lack of signals, number of grade crossings and presence or lack of
wayside hazard detectors. While this analysis is ongoing, ASLRRA and CASE
intend on pursuing grant funding through the soon to be released Freight Rail
Security Grant Program (FRSGP) to help fund the development and
implementation of a more permanent solution, including digitized features to
ease input and to facilitate management decision making. This routing issue will
be one component of a much larger effort designed to help a broad cross section
of our industry stay compliant with safety and security regulations emanating
from both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department
of Transportation. We will be seeking a railroad to become the grant applicant
for this worthwhile undertaking. Any railroad interested in participating please
contact Steve Sullivan Sullivan@aslrra.org or Daniel M. Collins at
dcollins@caseexperts.com. Finally, those railroads that have returned completed
templates, thank you very much. For those still in the process we await your
submittals.

Ernest “Ron” Frazier Sr. Esq, is President of Countermeasures Assessment and
Security Experts, Inc. (CASE) and former VP nd Chief of Police for Amtrak.
Daniel M. Collins is a Consultant with CASE and former President of the
Operation Respond Institute. They currently serve as Security Advisors to
ASLRRA.

OPERATIONS & SAFETY BREAKOUT TRACK TOPICS:

Check out the great educational sessions that have been planned for the
Operations and Safety Track at the upcoming Annual Convention.

Track 601: Keep ‘Em Safe – Installing Traffic Safety Devices While
Working at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Can Save Lives

National statistics indicate there is a strong prevalence of serious injuries and
fatalities for personnel working on or adjacent to highways. M-O-W and Signal
personnel often perform work at highway-rail grade crossings and knowing the
proper application of warning devices can help reduce the risk of an accident.
Learn how installing adequate signage and traffic diversion devices is important
to minimize the risk of injuries and incidents.

Track 602: Lessons Learned: Putting the Research in Fatigue Management
to Work in the Small Railroad Industry

Alertness and fatigue among railroad workers has been a growing area of
concern given recent regulatory action and the industry’s desire to support an
alert workforce. Extensive research has been performed in the rail industry
regarding alertness/fatigue, but much of this work has been performed with
Class I railroads. Sharing lessons learned from such research and how it can
be applied to ASLRRA members can be important to effectively address this
matter. Dr. Pat Sherry has worked with the rail industry for over 15 years and
has been intimately involved in performing research on fatigue/alertness. Dr.
Sherry is assisting the ASLRRA on fatigue countermeasure initiatives and will
share his expertise in this important area.”

Track 603: An Overview of FRA Accident/Incident Reporting Changes:
What You Don’t Do, Can Cost You

New FRA Accident/Incident Reporting Regulations are going into effect. A
clear understanding of these regulations is important to ensure data is accurately
recorded and to achieve full compliance with the regulation, a key responsibility
of ASLRRA member railroads. This course will cover key information all
reporting officers need to know.

Track 604: Behavioral Based Safety: A Good Fit for Short Lines

Behavioral Based Safety (BBS) is a proven approach to improving safety that
is frequently used in general industry and over the last several years is being
implemented on some Class I railroads. It is a powerful approach to enhance
safety that while not well known in the small railroad industry, it fits well with
the more relational-based approach to safety that is common practice on short
lines. This method supports greater employee ownership and responsibility for
safety. Through measurement, targeting countermeasures at identified unsafe
work practices, peer intervention and tracking of performance the prevalence of
safe work practices are increased. Learn about the principles of BBS and how
it is being implemented on a short line railroad and see if it will work for your

railroad.”

Track 605: Conductor Certification: A Review of the Regulation and Q&A
RR101

The FRA has issued a new regulation that will require that all conductors go
through a certification process. This new regulation will require railroads to
develop a certification program, adjust their training process and document
the process in more detail. Participants will be provided the model ASLRRA –
Conductor Certification Program and the presenter will explain the regulatory
requirements and respond to participant questions.

Track 606: Prompt and Appropriate Response to Accidents & Incidents –
It Could Be Critical to Your Railroad’s Survival

Prompt and appropriate response to accidents and incidents is critical to care of
employees and effective management of risk. Railroads face significant levels of
liability due to accidents/incidents and the proper response may be critical to the
survival of the railroad. Crossing collisions, train accidents and personal injuries
require a prompt response to ensure proper care for any injured individuals and
to effectively manage potential risk to the railroad. This presentation will offer
best practice information and guidance on response to such situations.”

Note to ASLRRA Members: This is a quarterly publication for ASLRRA
members highlighting a timely security or police issue of importance to the small
railroad industry in a concise, readable format. Sponsored by the ASLRRA’s
Police & Security Committee, the publication is distributed via email to keep
ASLRRA members up to date on developments that impact their businesses.
ASLRRA members can view prior issues online by visiting the Documents
section on ASLRRA’s Members’ Only website at: http://members.aslrra.org

Questions or comments about this publication? Please contact:

Steve Sullivan
Vice President & Executive Director

sullivan@aslrra.org

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association

50 F St., NW, Suite 7020

Washington, DC 20001

202-628-4500

www.aslrra.orgBy Ernest R. Frazier Sr. Esq, President and Daniel M. Collins, Consultant,

Countermeasures Assessment and Security Experts, Inc.

As a result of ASLRRA and FRA discussions held in the fall of calendar year

2010 it became evidently clear – the existing Rail Corridor Risk Management

System (RCRMS) is not a viable risk assessment tool for short line railroads

with only one route. Many of the one route railroads have struggled with

RCRMS in an attempt to become compliant with the Pipeline and Hazardous

Materials Safety Administration regulation entitled “Enhancing Rail

Transportation Safety and Security for Hazardous Materials Shipments” 49 CFR

172.820. In essence RCRMS requires the presence of alternatives routes to make

this decision support tool an effective risk assessment methodology.

In recognition of this problem for a segment of our industry, ASLRRA and

one of its associate members, Countermeasures Assessments and Security

Experts (CASE), approached FRA with an alternative for Class III railroads

with only one route. This approach consisted of a template designed by CASE

incorporating the 27 Risk Factors within RCRMS, but presented in a fashion

more appropriate for railroads possessing only one route. The CASE Team

developed a risk assessment tool that for each of the 27 factors, spread risk over

the range of high-medium-low-and not appropriate. This categorization of risk is

based on CASE’s years of experience in railroad safety and security matters. In

addition Case has gained a level of field risk assessment expertise due to the fact

that CASE has conducted over 20 vulnerability assessments on short line and

regional railroads, where hazardous materials routing is one key risk assessment

component. FRA agreed that the use of this template would satisfy the short

term requirements of RCRMS for these railroads in analyzing risk over their one

and only route.

A template was designed and mailed in November 2010 to ASLRRA member

railroads that possess one route and one interchange (42 railroads) and railroads

with one route and multiple interchanges (28 railroads). Each of these railroads

was asked to fill in the data and when completed, to return a copy to ASLRRA.

As of this publication date, the railroads listed below completed the template and

were gracious enough to return a copy to ASLRRA.

One Route/One Interchange

Interchange

AN Railway, L.L.C.

Company

Central Washington Railroad

Columbia Basin Railroad Co.

Falls Railroad (No TIH)

(No TIH)

Florida Central Railroad Co.

New York & Ogdensburg Railway (No TIH)Green Mountain Railroad (No TIH)

Ohio Valley Railroad Co. (No TIH)

TIH)

San Luis Central Railroad Co.

TIH)

San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad

South Central Tennessee Railroad

Tennessee Southern Railroad Co.

Texas-New Mexico Railroad Company

Valdosta Railway, L.P.

Washington County Railroad Co. (No TIH)

West Texas & Lubbock Railway

Completed templates continue to arrive weekly. The CASE Team has agreed to

analyze the data to assign weights to the 27 different factors based on actual data

and as an outcome develop a more permanent solution. Preliminary results

already indicate that certain risk fields are indicating higher risk levels such as

presence or lack of signals, number of grade crossings and presence or lack of

wayside hazard detectors. While this analysis is ongoing, ASLRRA and CASE

intend on pursuing grant funding through the soon to be released Freight Rail

Security Grant Program (FRSGP) to help fund the development and

implementation of a more permanent solution, including digitized features to

ease input and to facilitate management decision making. This routing issue will

be one component of a much larger effort designed to help a broad cross section

of our industry stay compliant with safety and security regulations emanating

from both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department

of Transportation. We will be seeking a railroad to become the grant applicant

for this worthwhile undertaking. Any railroad interested in participating please

contact Steve Sullivan Sullivan@aslrra.org or Daniel M. Collins at

dcollins@caseexperts.com. Finally, those railroads that have returned completed

templates, thank you very much. For those still in the process we await your

submittals.

Ernest “Ron” Frazier Sr. Esq, is President of Countermeasures Assessment and

Security Experts, Inc. (CASE) and former VP nd Chief of Police for Amtrak.

Daniel M. Collins is a Consultant with CASE and former President of the

Operation Respond Institute. They currently serve as Security Advisors to

ASLRRA.

OPERATIONS & SAFETY BREAKOUT TRACK TOPICS:

Check out the great educational sessions that have been planned for the

Operations and Safety Track at the upcoming Annual Convention.

Track 601: Keep ‘Em Safe – Installing Traffic Safety Devices While

Working at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Can Save Lives

National statistics indicate there is a strong prevalence of serious injuries and

fatalities for personnel working on or adjacent to highways. M-O-W and Signal

personnel often perform work at highway-rail grade crossings and knowing the

proper application of warning devices can help reduce the risk of an accident.

Learn how installing adequate signage and traffic diversion devices is important

to minimize the risk of injuries and incidents.

Track 602: Lessons Learned: Putting the Research in Fatigue Management

to Work in the Small Railroad Industry

Alertness and fatigue among railroad workers has been a growing area of

concern given recent regulatory action and the industry’s desire to support an

alert workforce. Extensive research has been performed in the rail industry

regarding alertness/fatigue, but much of this work has been performed with

Class I railroads. Sharing lessons learned from such research and how it can

be applied to ASLRRA members can be important to effectively address this

matter. Dr. Pat Sherry has worked with the rail industry for over 15 years and

has been intimately involved in performing research on fatigue/alertness. Dr.

Sherry is assisting the ASLRRA on fatigue countermeasure initiatives and will

share his expertise in this important area.”

Track 603: An Overview of FRA Accident/Incident Reporting Changes:

What You Don’t Do, Can Cost You

New FRA Accident/Incident Reporting Regulations are going into effect. A

clear understanding of these regulations is important to ensure data is accurately

recorded and to achieve full compliance with the regulation, a key responsibility

of ASLRRA member railroads. This course will cover key information all

reporting officers need to know.

Track 604: Behavioral Based Safety: A Good Fit for Short Lines

Behavioral Based Safety (BBS) is a proven approach to improving safety that

is frequently used in general industry and over the last several years is being

implemented on some Class I railroads. It is a powerful approach to enhance

safety that while not well known in the small railroad industry, it fits well with

the more relational-based approach to safety that is common practice on short

lines. This method supports greater employee ownership and responsibility for

safety. Through measurement, targeting countermeasures at identified unsafe

work practices, peer intervention and tracking of performance the prevalence of

safe work practices are increased. Learn about the principles of BBS and how

it is being implemented on a short line railroad and see if it will work for your

railroad.”

Track 605: Conductor Certification: A Review of the Regulation and Q&A

RR101

The FRA has issued a new regulation that will require that all conductors go

through a certification process. This new regulation will require railroads to

develop a certification program, adjust their training process and document

the process in more detail. Participants will be provided the model ASLRRA –

Conductor Certification Program and the presenter will explain the regulatory

requirements and respond to participant questions.

Track 606: Prompt and Appropriate Response to Accidents & Incidents –

It Could Be Critical to Your Railroad’s Survival

Prompt and appropriate response to accidents and incidents is critical to care of

employees and effective management of risk. Railroads face significant levels of

liability due to accidents/incidents and the proper response may be critical to the

survival of the railroad. Crossing collisions, train accidents and personal injuries

require a prompt response to ensure proper care for any injured individuals and

to effectively manage potential risk to the railroad. This presentation will offer

best practice information and guidance on response to such situations.”

Note to ASLRRA Members: This is a quarterly publication for ASLRRA

members highlighting a timely security or police issue of importance to the small

railroad industry in a concise, readable format. Sponsored by the ASLRRA’s

Police & Security Committee, the publication is distributed via email to keep

ASLRRA members up to date on developments that impact their businesses.

ASLRRA members can view prior issues online by visiting the Documents

section on ASLRRA’s Members’ Only website at: http://members.aslrra.org

Questions or comments about this publication? Please contact:

Steve Sullivan

Vice President & Executive Director

sullivan@aslrra.org

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association

50 F St., NW, Suite 7020

Washington, DC 20001

202-628-4500

www.aslrra.org