DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1975 HEARINGS BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RELATED JOHN J. McFALL, California, Chairman SILVIO O. CONTE, Massachusetts JULIA BUTLER HANSEN, Washington JACK EDWARDS, Alabama COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS GEORGE H. MAHON, Texas, Chairman JAMIE L. WHITTEN, Mississippi ELFORD A. CEDERBERG, Michigan JOHN J. ROONEY, New York WILLIAM E. MINSHALL, Ohio ROBERT L. F. SIKES, Florida ROBERT H. MICHEL, Illinois OTTO E. PASSMAN, Louisiana SILVIO O. CONTE, Massachusetts JOE L. EVINS, Tennessee GLENN R. DAVIS, Wisconsin EDWARD P. BOLAND, Massachusetts HOWARD W. ROBISON, New York WILLIAM H. NATCHER, Kentucky GARNER E. SHRIVER, Kansas DANIEL J. FLOOD, Pennsylvania JOSEPH M. McDADE, Pennsylvania TOM STEED, Oklahoma MARK ANDREWS, North Dakota GEORGE E. SHIPLEY, Illinois LOUIS C. WYMAN, New Hampshire JOHN M. SLACK, West Virginia BURT L. TALCOTT, California JOHN J. FLYNT, JR., Georgia WENDELL WYATT, Oregon NEAL SMITH, Iowa JACK EDWARDS, Alabama ROBERT N. GIAIMO, Connecticut WILLIAM J. SCHERLE, Iowa JULIA BUTLER HANSEN, Washington ROBERT C. McEWEN, New York JOSEPH P. ADDABBO, New York JOHN T. MYERS, Indiana JOHN J. McFALL, California J. KENNETH ROBINSON, Virginia EDWARD J. PATTEN, New Jersey CLARENCE E. MILLER, Ohio CLARENCE D, LONG, Maryland EARL B. RUTH, North Carolina SIDNEY R. YATES, Illinois VICTOR V. VEYSEY, California BOB CASEY, Texas LAWRENCE COUGHLIN, Pennsylrania FRANK E. EVANS, Colorado C. W. BILL YOUNG, Florida KEITH F. JAINLAND, Clerk and Staff Director STAFF ASSISTANTS KAREX J. SCHUBECK EARL C. SILSBY G. HOWER SKARIN C. WILLIAM SMITH CHARLES W. SXODGRASS AUBREY A. GUNNELS ROBERT C. NICHOLAS III HCXTER L. SPILLAN PAUL E. THOMSON GEORGE A. TRIAX DEREK J. VANDER SCHAAF EUGENE B. WILHELM J. DAVID WILLSON SAMUEL R. I'RESTON DONALD E. RICHBOURG C. R. ANDERSON, Chief MARION S. RAMEY, Second Assistant Xote.—This Surreys and Investigations supervisory staff is supplemented by selected personnel borrowed on a reimbursable basis for varying lengths of time from various agencies to staff up specific studies and investigations. The current average annual fulltime personnel equivalent is approximately 42. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AUSTIN G. SMITH CHRISTINE STOCKMAN AXX M. STI'LL RANDOLPH THOMAS LAWRENCE C. MILLER GEMMA M. WEIBLINGER VIRGINIA MAY KEYSER DALE M. SHULAW (II) JOHN W. INGRAM, FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATOR TRATOR DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATIONS MAC E. ROGERS, ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR SAFETY FREDERICK G. BREMER, ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR ADMIN ISTRATION WILLIAM E. LOFTUS, ACTING ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR POLICY AND PLANS WILBERT E. CANTEY, ACTING ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR ECONOMICS WALKER S. JOHNSTON, GENERAL MANAGER, THE ALASKA RAIL ROAD ROY M. COLLEY, BUDGET OFFICER RICHARD W. SLOCUM, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY Mr. McFall. The committee will come to order. We will begin the testimony on the budget request of the Federal Railroad Administration. Our principal witness is the Administrator, John W. Ingram. Mr. Ingram, we will be glad to hear your statement at this time. GENERAL STATEMENT Mr. INGRAM. Mr. Chairman, I am again pleased to be before your mmittee, and to present the Federal Railroad Administration's appropriation request for fiscal year 1973). This is my 3d year before the committee, and I believe you will : uree that in that period the problems besetting railroad transportation have become very visible, significant public issues. Beginning in 1970, (Congress has enacted major rail legislation at €2 i session. The legislation included action on intercity passenger Tulce, safety standards, loans to bankrupt carriers, loans to restore torni damaged rail facilities, and, of course, the Regional Rail Reorganization Act passed late last year. This year, hopefully, C'ongress wil act on the administration's recommendations regarding regulatory benges and general rail assistance. These legislative actions and the activities and programs initiated rinder them illustrate the fact that the public sector is very much in (1) volved—and will likely continue to be involved for some time to comein solving rail transportation problems and in promoting the most efficient use of rail transportation. The growth of the public sector's role in rail transportation matters centers on the Federal Railroad Administration's activities and programs. The budget requests that we have submitted to the committee reflect our response to critical problems affecting the rail industry and those who look to it for service and employment. This year more than ever, they also reflect our response to the increasing public demand for energy-efficient and environmentally sound solutions to transportation problems. The Federal Railroad Administration has a major role in dealing with the critical issues requiring immediate solutions as well as participating in the determination of the appropriate long-term role of rail transportation within the country's overall transportation system. For example, FRA people developed the basic approach used in the Secretary's report containing recommendations for a revitalized railroad network in the Midwest and Northeast, and we also developed the data base and analytical methodology. On a continuing basis, FRA is responsible for the grant and loan programs authorized by the Northeast rail legislation. We are developing the program related to rail service continuation subsidies made available to States under the act. We will be working closely with States to help them in dereloping rail planning capabilities. Of course, we are active in the development of the Northeast corridor improvements as required by the act. These are perhaps the more visible and direct activities of FRA, but I am more concerned that we continue the path we charted a few years ago when we started the long needed railroad research program. The attention we have focused on economie, operational, and technological factors that influence our rail systems is beginning to pay dividends. We are now able to better understand rail problems and articulate them for the ('ongress, the community of users, and for the industry itself. The specifics of where we've been and where we are going will be part of our discussion of the budget. I think it is important to note that your committee gave us the necessary support to structure this railroacl research program and to begin looking for solutions and supporting the decisionmaking process in both the public and private sectors. OPERATING EXPENSES This appropriation represents a consolidation of three appropriations authorized in fiscal year 1974 which were : Office of the Administrator, salaries and expenses; railroad safety; and crants-in-aid for railroad safety. This consolidation is consistent with the desires to rationalize the appropriation structure for our programs, while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the major efforts included within the appropriation. An amount of $15.760,000 in budget authority, or $2.060,000 over fiscal year 1974, is requested for furthering the effective investigation and enforcement of Federal railroad safety rules and regulations; assisting the States in carrying out a railroad safety program; and increasing employment for supporting staff to improve FRA capability to fulfill its expanding missions in finding solutions to the rail industry problems. GENERAL MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION The request provides for a net increase of 14 positions under this activity (21 new positions and a decrease of 7 positions which are proposed for transfer to the railroad research and development appropriation). The 21 new positions are to improve FRA's capability, through its in-house staff efforts, to fulfill its expanding missions in finding solutions to the rail industry problems as they relate to increased emphasis being placed on the role of rail transportation in the economy; the requirement in the public interest for increased safety operations; the need for increased efficiency within the industry; and the need for finding ways that the rail industry can contribute toward lessening the impact of the energy crisis, such as achieving more efficient use of fuels. RAILROAD SAFETY, FEDERAL PROGRAM Under this activity, we are requesting an increase of $1,320,000 over the fiscal year 1974 level of $8,900,000, the major part of which is for rental of office space (previously paid for by GŜA) and annualization of employment. We are making progress in this area. To illustrate, we have: Developed a system for assigning FRA inspectors based on where the problem is. Published track safety standards and regulations which became fully effective October 16, 1973. Published freight car safety standards and regulations, as of November 21, 1973, covering three basic areas: Inspection standards, lubrication standards, prohibited equipment. Prepared, in draft form, proposed regulations on employee physical qualifications, alcohol and drugs, and certain railroad operating rules. Made other efforts, as discussed in the justification. Our goal is to have 66 additional inspectors on board by June 30. GRANTS TO STATES FOR RAILROAD SAFETY FRA began holding meetings in February 1974 with groups of State representatives throughout the country to review with them provisions of the regulations and to assist those interested in preparing for certification. The initial certification will cover track safety. Those State track inspectors who are fully qualified will be given a minimum of instruction and on-the-job training, and then be immediately utilized as inspectors. Other State inspectors will be given orientation, training courses in their specialties, and on-the-job training to make them fully effective as soon as possible. |