Code of Federal Regulations (Last Updated: November 8, 2024) |
Title 49 - Transportation |
Subtitle B - Other Regulations Relating to Transportation |
Chapter II - Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation |
Part 236 - Rules, Standards, and Instructions Governing the Installation, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Signal and Train Control Systems, Devices, and Appliances |
Part 236 - Rules, Standards, and Instructions Governing the Installation, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Signal and Train Control Systems, Devices, and Appliances
§ 236.0 - Applicability, minimum requirements, and penalties. |
Subpart A - Rules and Instructions: All Systems |
Track Circuits |
§ 236.51 - Track circuit requirements. |
§ 236.52 - Relayed cut-section. |
§ 236.53 - Track circuit feed at grade crossing. |
§ 236.54 - Minimum length of track circuit. |
§ 236.55 - Dead section; maximum length. |
§ 236.56 - Shunting sensitivity. |
§ 236.57 - Shunt and fouling wires. |
§ 236.58 - Turnout, fouling section. |
§ 236.59 - Insulated rail joints. |
§ 236.60 - Switch shunting circuit; use restricted. |
Roadway Signals and Cab Signals |
§ 236.21 - Location of roadway signals. |
§ 236.22 - Semaphore signal arm; clearance to other objects. |
§ 236.23 - Aspects and indications. |
§ 236.24 - Spacing of roadway signals. |
§ 236.25 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.26 - Buffing device, maintenance. |
Wires and Cables |
§ 236.71 - Signal wires on pole line and aerial cable. |
§ 236.72 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.73 - Open-wire transmission line; clearance to other circuits. |
§ 236.74 - Protection of insulated wire; splice in underground wire. |
§ 236.75 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.76 - Tagging of wires and interference of wires or tags with signal apparatus. |
Inspections and Tests; All Systems |
§ 236.101 - Purpose of inspection and tests; removal from service of relay or device failing to meet test requirements. |
§ 236.102 - Semaphore or searchlight signal mechanism. |
§ 236.103 - Switch circuit controller or point detector. |
§ 236.104 - Shunt fouling circuit. |
§ 236.105 - Electric lock. |
§ 236.106 - Relays. |
§ 236.107 - Ground tests. |
§ 236.108 - Insulation resistance tests, wires in trunking and cables. |
§ 236.109 - Time releases, timing relays and timing devices. |
§ 236.110 - Results of tests. |
General |
§ 236.1 - Plans, where kept. |
§ 236.2 - Grounds. |
§ 236.3 - Locking of signal apparatus housings. |
§ 236.4 - Interference with normal functioning of device. |
§ 236.5 - Design of control circuits on closed circuit principle. |
§ 236.6 - Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller. |
§ 236.7 - Circuit controller operated by switch-and-lock movement. |
§ 236.8 - Operating characteristics of electromagnetic, electronic, or electrical apparatus. |
§ 236.9 - Selection of circuits through indicating or annunciating instruments. |
§ 236.10 - Electric locks, force drop type; where required. |
§ 236.11 - Adjustment, repair, or replacement of component. |
§ 236.12 - Spring switch signal protection; where required. |
§ 236.13 - Spring switch; selection of signal control circuits through circuit controller. |
§ 236.14 - Spring switch signal protection; requirements. |
§ 236.15 - Timetable instructions. |
§ 236.16 - Electric lock, main track releasing circuit. |
§ 236.17 - Pipe for operating connections, requirements. |
§ 236.18 - Software management control plan. |
Subpart B - Automatic Block Signal Systems |
Standards |
§ 236.201 - Track-circuit control of signals. |
§ 236.202 - Signal governing movements over hand-operated switch. |
§ 236.203 - Hand operated crossover between main tracks; protection. |
§ 236.204 - Track signaled for movements in both directions, requirements. |
§ 236.205 - Signal control circuits; requirements. |
§ 236.206 - Battery or power supply with respect to relay; location. |
§ 236.207 - Electric lock on hand-operated switch; control. |
Subpart C - Interlocking |
Rules and Instructions |
§ 236.326 - Mechanical locking removed or disarranged; requirement for permitting train movements through interlocking. |
§ 236.327 - Switch, movable-point frog or split-point derail. |
§ 236.328 - Plunger of facing-point lock. |
§ 236.329 - Bolt lock. |
§ 236.330 - Locking dog of switch-and-lock movement. |
§ 236.334 - Point detector. |
§ 236.335 - Dogs, stops and trunnions of mechanical locking. |
§ 236.336 - Locking bed. |
§ 236.337 - Locking faces of mechanical locking; fit. |
§ 236.338 - Mechanical locking required in accordance with locking sheet and dog chart. |
§ 236.339 - Mechanical locking, maintenance requirements. |
§ 236.340 - Electromechanical interlocking machine; locking between electrical and mechanical levers. |
§ 236.341 - Latch shoes, rocker links, and quadrants. |
§ 236.342 - Switch circuit controller. |
§§ 236.331--236.333 - [Reserved] |
Inspection and Tests |
§ 236.376 - Mechanical locking. |
§ 236.377 - Approach locking. |
§ 236.378 - Time locking. |
§ 236.379 - Route locking. |
§ 236.380 - Indication locking. |
§ 236.381 - Traffic locking. |
§ 236.382 - Switch obstruction test. |
§ 236.383 - Valve locks, valves, and valve magnets. |
§ 236.384 - Cross protection. |
§ 236.385 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.386 - Restoring feature on power switches. |
§ 236.387 - Movable bridge locking. |
Standards |
§ 236.301 - Where signals shall be provided. |
§ 236.302 - Track circuits and route locking. |
§ 236.303 - Control circuits for signals, selection through circuit controller operated by switch points or by switch locking mechanism. |
§ 236.304 - Mechanical locking or same protection effected by circuits. |
§ 236.305 - Approach or time locking. |
§ 236.306 - Facing point lock or switch-and-lock movement. |
§ 236.307 - Indication locking. |
§ 236.308 - Mechanical or electric locking or electric circuits; requisites. |
§ 236.309 - Loss of shunt protection; where required. |
§ 236.310 - Signal governing approach to home signal. |
§ 236.311 - Signal control circuits, selection through track relays or devices functioning as track relays and through signal mechanism contacts and time releases at automatic interlocking. |
§ 236.312 - Movable bridge, interlocking of signal appliances with bridge devices. |
§ 236.313 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.314 - Electric lock for hand-operated switch or derail. |
Subpart D - Traffic Control Systems |
Standards |
§ 236.401 - Automatic block signal system and interlocking standards applicable to traffic control systems. |
§ 236.402 - Signals controlled by track circuits and control operator. |
§ 236.403 - Signals at controlled point. |
§ 236.404 - Signals at adjacent control points. |
§ 236.405 - Track signaled for movements in both directions, change of direction of traffic. |
§ 236.406 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.407 - Approach or time locking; where required. |
§ 236.408 - Route locking. |
§ 236.409 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.410 - Locking, hand-operated switch; requirements. |
Inspection and Tests |
§ 236.476 - Interlocking inspections and tests applicable to traffic control systems. |
Rules and Instructions |
§ 236.426 - Interlocking rules and instructions applicable to traffic control systems. |
Subpart E - Automatic Train Stop, Train Control and Cab Signal Systems |
Standards |
§ 236.501 - Forestalling device and speed control. |
§ 236.502 - Automatic brake application, initiation by restrictive block conditions stopping distance in advance. |
§ 236.503 - Automatic brake application; initiation when predetermined rate of speed exceeded. |
§ 236.504 - Operation interconnected with automatic block-signal system. |
§ 236.505 - Proper operative relation between parts along roadway and parts on locomotive. |
§ 236.506 - Release of brakes after automatic application. |
§ 236.507 - Brake application; full service. |
§ 236.508 - Interference with application of brakes by means of brake valve. |
§ 236.509 - Two or more locomotives coupled. |
§ 236.510 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.511 - Cab signals controlled in accordance with block conditions stopping distance in advance. |
§ 236.512 - Cab signal indication when locomotive enters block where restrictive conditions obtain. |
§ 236.513 - Audible indicator. |
§ 236.514 - Interconnection of cab signal system with roadway signal system. |
§ 236.515 - Visibility of cab signals. |
§ 236.516 - Power supply. |
Inspection and Tests; Roadway |
§ 236.576 - Roadway element. |
§ 236.577 - Test, acknowledgement, and cut-in circuits. |
Inspection and Tests; Locomotive |
§ 236.586 - Daily or after trip test. |
§ 236.587 - Departure test. |
§ 236.588 - Periodic test. |
§ 236.589 - Relays. |
§ 236.590 - Pneumatic apparatus. |
Rules and Instructions; Locomotives |
§ 236.551 - Power supply voltage; requirement. |
§ 236.552 - Insulation resistance; requirement. |
§ 236.553 - Seal, where required. |
§ 236.554 - Rate of pressure reduction; equalizing reservoir or brake pipe. |
§ 236.555 - Repaired or rewound receiver coil. |
§ 236.556 - Adjustment of relay. |
§ 236.557 - Receiver; location with respect to rail. |
§ 236.560 - Contact element, mechanical trip type; location with respect to rail. |
§ 236.561 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.562 - Minimum rail current required. |
§ 236.563 - Delay time. |
§ 236.564 - Acknowledging time. |
§ 236.565 - Provision made for preventing operation of pneumatic brake-applying apparatus by double-heading cock; requirement. |
§ 236.566 - Locomotive of each train operating in train stop, train control or cab signal territory; equipped. |
§ 236.567 - Restrictions imposed when device fails and/or is cut out en route. |
§ 236.568 - Difference between speeds authorized by roadway signal and cab signal; action required. |
§§ 236.558--236.559 - [Reserved] |
Rules and Instructions; Roadway |
§ 236.526 - Roadway element not functioning properly. |
§ 236.527 - Roadway element insulation resistance. |
§ 236.528 - Restrictive condition resulting from open hand-operated switch; requirement. |
§ 236.529 - Roadway element inductor; height and distance from rail. |
§ 236.530 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.531 - Trip arm; height and distance from rail. |
§ 236.532 - Strap iron inductor; use restricted. |
§ 236.533 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.534 - Entrance to equipped territory; requirements. |
Subpart F - Dragging Equipment and Slide Detectors and Other Similar Protective Devices |
Standards |
§ 236.601 - Signals controlled by devices; location. |
Subpart G - Definitions |
§ 236.700 - Definitions. |
§ 236.701 - Application, brake; full service. |
§ 236.702 - Arm, semaphore. |
§ 236.703 - Aspect. |
§ 236.704 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.705 - Bar, locking. |
§ 236.706 - Bed, locking. |
§ 236.707 - Blade, semaphore. |
§ 236.708 - Block. |
§ 236.709 - Block, absolute. |
§ 236.710 - Block, latch. |
§ 236.711 - Bond, rail joint. |
§ 236.712 - Brake pipe. |
§ 236.713 - Bridge, movable. |
§ 236.714 - Cab. |
§ 236.717 - Characteristics, operating. |
§ 236.718 - Chart, dog. |
§ 236.719 - Circuit, acknowledgment. |
§ 236.720 - Circuit, common return. |
§ 236.721 - Circuit, control. |
§ 236.722 - Circuit, cut-in. |
§ 236.723 - Circuit, double wire; line. |
§ 236.724 - Circuit, shunt fouling. |
§ 236.725 - Circuit, switch shunting. |
§ 236.726 - Circuit, track. |
§ 236.727 - Circuit, track; coded. |
§ 236.728 - Circuit, trap. |
§ 236.729 - Cock, double heading. |
§ 236.730 - Coil, receiver. |
§ 236.731 - Controller, circuit. |
§ 236.732 - Controller, circuit; switch. |
§ 236.733 - Current, foreign. |
§ 236.734 - Current of traffic. |
§ 236.735 - Current, leakage. |
§ 236.736 - Cut-section. |
§ 236.737 - Cut-section, relayed. |
§ 236.738 - Detector, point. |
§ 236.739 - Device, acknowledging. |
§ 236.740 - Device, reset. |
§ 236.741 - Distance, stopping. |
§ 236.742 - Dog, locking. |
§ 236.743 - Dog, swing. |
§ 236.744 - Element, roadway. |
§ 236.745 - Face, locking. |
§ 236.746 - Feature, restoring. |
§ 236.747 - Forestall. |
§ 236.748 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.749 - Indication. |
§ 236.750 - Interlocking, automatic. |
§ 236.751 - Interlocking, manual. |
§ 236.752 - Joint, rail, insulated. |
§ 236.753 - Limits, interlocking. |
§ 236.754 - Line, open wire. |
§ 236.755 - Link, rocker. |
§ 236.756 - Lock, bolt. |
§ 236.757 - Lock, electric. |
§ 236.758 - Lock, electric, forced drop. |
§ 236.759 - Lock, facing point. |
§ 236.760 - Locking, approach. |
§ 236.761 - Locking, electric. |
§ 236.762 - Locking, indication. |
§ 236.763 - Locking, latch operated. |
§ 236.764 - Locking, lever operated. |
§ 236.765 - Locking, mechanical. |
§ 236.766 - Locking, movable bridge. |
§ 236.767 - Locking, route. |
§ 236.768 - Locking, time. |
§ 236.769 - Locking, traffic. |
§ 236.770 - Locomotive. |
§ 236.771 - Machine, control. |
§ 236.772 - Machine, interlocking. |
§ 236.773 - Movements, conflicting. |
§ 236.774 - Movement, facing. |
§ 236.775 - Movement, switch-and-lock. |
§ 236.776 - Movement, trailing. |
§ 236.777 - Operator, control. |
§ 236.778 - Piece, driving. |
§ 236.779 - Plate, top. |
§ 236.780 - Plunger, facing point lock. |
§ 236.781 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.782 - Point, controlled. |
§ 236.783 - Point, stop-indication. |
§ 236.784 - Position, deenergized. |
§ 236.785 - Position, false restrictive. |
§ 236.786 - Principle, closed circuit. |
§ 236.787 - Protection, cross. |
§ 236.788 - Receiver. |
§ 236.789 - Relay, timing. |
§ 236.790 - Release, time. |
§ 236.791 - Release, value. |
§ 236.792 - Reservoir, equalizing. |
§ 236.793 - Rod, lock. |
§ 236.794 - Rod, up-and-down. |
§ 236.795 - Route. |
§ 236.796 - Routes, conflicting. |
§ 236.797 - Route, interlocked. |
§ 236.798 - Section, dead. |
§ 236.799 - Section, fouling. |
§ 236.800 - Sheet, locking. |
§ 236.801 - Shoe, latch. |
§ 236.802 - Shunt. |
§ 236.803 - Signal, approach. |
§ 236.804 - Signal, block. |
§ 236.805 - Signal, cab. |
§ 236.806 - Signal, home. |
§ 236.807 - Signal, interlocking. |
§ 236.808 - Signals, opposing. |
§ 236.809 - Signal, slotted mechanical. |
§ 236.810 - Spectacle, semaphore arm. |
§ 236.811 - Speed, medium. |
§ 236.812 - Speed, restricted. |
§ 236.813 - Speed, slow. |
§ 236.814 - Station, control. |
§ 236.815 - Stop. |
§ 236.816 - Superiority of trains. |
§ 236.817 - Switch, electro-pneumatic. |
§ 236.818 - Switch, facing point. |
§ 236.819 - Switch, hand operated. |
§ 236.820 - Switch, interlocked. |
§ 236.821 - Switch, sectionalizing. |
§ 236.822 - Switch, spring. |
§ 236.823 - Switch, trailing point. |
§ 236.824 - System, automatic block signal. |
§ 236.825 - System, automatic train control. |
§ 236.826 - System, automatic train stop. |
§ 236.827 - System, block signal. |
§ 236.828 - System, traffic control. |
§ 236.829 - Terminal, initial. |
§ 236.830 - Time, acknowledging. |
§ 236.831 - Time, delay. |
§ 236.832 - Train. |
§ 236.833 - Train, opposing. |
§ 236.834 - Trip. |
§ 236.835 - Trunking. |
§ 236.836 - Trunnion. |
§ 236.837 - Valve, electro-pneumatic. |
§ 236.838 - Wire, shunt. |
§ 236.820a - Switch, power-operated. |
§ 236.831a - Track, main. |
§ 236.802a - Siding. |
§ 236.813a - State, most restrictive. |
§§ 236.715--236.716 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.787a - Railroad. |
Subpart H - Standards for Processor-Based Signal and Train Control Systems |
§ 236.901 - Purpose and scope. |
§ 236.903 - Definitions. |
§ 236.905 - Railroad Safety Program Plan (RSPP). |
§ 236.907 - Product Safety Plan (PSP). |
§ 236.909 - Minimum performance standard. |
§ 236.911 - Exclusions. |
§ 236.913 - Filing and approval of PSPs. |
§ 236.915 - Implementation and operation. |
§ 236.917 - Retention of records. |
§ 236.919 - Operations and Maintenance Manual. |
§ 236.921 - Training and qualification program, general. |
§ 236.923 - Task analysis and basic requirements. |
§ 236.925 - Training specific to control office personnel. |
§ 236.927 - Training specific to locomotive engineers and other operating personnel. |
§ 236.929 - Training specific to roadway workers. |
Subpart I - Positive Train Control Systems |
§ 236.1001 - Purpose and scope. |
§ 236.1003 - Definitions. |
§ 236.1005 - Requirements for Positive Train Control systems. |
§ 236.1006 - Equipping locomotives operating in PTC territory. |
§ 236.1007 - Additional requirements for high-speed service. |
§ 236.1009 - Procedural requirements. |
§ 236.1011 - PTC Implementation Plan content requirements. |
§ 236.1013 - PTC Development Plan and Notice of Product Intent content requirements and Type Approval. |
§ 236.1015 - PTC Safety Plan content requirements and PTC System Certification. |
§ 236.1017 - Independent third party Verification and Validation. |
§ 236.1019 - Main line track exceptions. |
§ 236.1020 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.1021 - Discontinuances, material modifications, and amendments. |
§ 236.1023 - Errors and malfunctions. |
§ 236.1025 - [Reserved] |
§ 236.1027 - PTC system exclusions. |
§ 236.1029 - PTC system use and failures. |
§ 236.1031 - Previously approved PTC systems. |
§ 236.1033 - Communications and security requirements. |
§ 236.1035 - Field testing requirements. |
§ 236.1037 - Records retention. |
§ 236.1039 - Operations and Maintenance Manual. |
§ 236.1041 - Training and qualification program, general. |
§ 236.1043 - Task analysis and basic requirements. |
§ 236.1045 - Training specific to office control personnel. |
§ 236.1047 - Training specific to locomotive engineers and other operating personnel. |
§ 236.1049 - Training specific to roadway workers. |
Appendix A to Part 236 |
Appendix A to Part 236 - Civil Penalties 1, 2 |
Appendix B to Part 236 - Risk Assessment Criteria |
Appendix C to Part 236 - Safety Assurance Criteria and Processes |
Appendix D to Part 236 - Independent Review of Verification and Validation |
Appendix E to Part 236 - Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Design |
Appendix F to Part 236 - Minimum Requirements of FRA Directed Independent Third-Party Assessment of PTC System Safety Verification and Validation |