
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 49USC20148]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                        SUBTITLE V--RAIL PROGRAMS
 
                             PART A--SAFETY
 
                          CHAPTER 201--GENERAL
 
               SUBCHAPTER II--PARTICULAR ASPECTS OF SAFETY
 
Sec. 20148. Railroad car visibility

    (a) Review of Rules.--The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct 
a review of the Department of Transportation's rules with respect to 
railroad car visibility. As part of this review, the Secretary shall 
collect relevant data from operational experience by railroads having 
enhanced visibility measures in service.
    (b) Regulations.--If the review conducted under subsection (a) 
establishes that enhanced railroad car visibility would likely improve 
safety in a cost-effective manner, the Secretary shall initiate a 
rulemaking proceeding to prescribe regulations requiring enhanced 
visibility standards for newly manufactured and remanufactured railroad 
cars. In such proceeding the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum--
        (1) visibility of railroad cars from the perspective of 
    nonrailroad traffic;
        (2) whether certain railroad car paint colors should be 
    prohibited or required;
        (3) the use of reflective materials;
        (4) the visibility of lettering on railroad cars;
        (5) the effect of any enhanced visibility measures on the health 
    and safety of train crew members; and
        (6) the cost/benefit ratio of any new regulations.

    (c) Exclusions.--In prescribing regulations under subsection (b), 
the Secretary may exclude from any specific visibility requirement any 
category of trains or railroad operations if the Secretary determines 
that such an exclusion is in the public interest and is consistent with 
railroad safety.

(Added Pub. L. 103-440, title II, Sec. 212(a), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 
4622.)
