Bill > HR2515

This bill establishes two grant and pilot programs aimed at modernizing freight railcar technology through telematics systems and onboard sensors. The first program will provide funding to freight railcar owners to purchase and install telematics systems and gateway devices that enable near real-time tracking and monitoring of railcar location, asset health, and safety conditions. These systems will help reduce manual data collection, improve safety by detecting potential hazards, and increase the efficiency of the North American freight railcar fleet. The bill prioritizes installing these systems on tank cars carrying toxic or flammable materials first, and then expanding to other types of freight railcars. The grant program will be funded with $100 million annually from 2026 to 2029. The second component is a pilot program focused on developing advanced onboard sensors that can monitor specific conditions like wheel temperature, hand brake status, hatch openings, and internal railcar temperature. This pilot program will be funded with $10 million annually from 2026 to 2029. Both programs require recipients to ensure that any sensitive technology complies with existing federal transportation regulations, and mandate that the Secretary of Transportation submit reports to Congress evaluating the programs' implementation, safety impacts, and effectiveness. The bill specifically aims to exclude technology from state-owned enterprises in countries of concern, emphasizing national technology security considerations.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2515/all-info