Section 151.11 - Track Inspection(1)Inspections.(a) All inspections must be made according to the schedule set out in 220 CMR 151.11(2), by a person designated under 220 CMR 151.11(4).(b) Each inspection must be made on foot or by riding over the track in a vehicle at a speed that allows the person making the inspection to visually inspect the track structure for compliance with 220 CMR 151.00. However, mechanical, electrical and other track inspection devices may be used to supplement visual inspection. If a vehicle is used for visual inspection, the speed of the vehicle may not be more than five miles per hour when passing over track crossings, highway crossings or turnouts.(c) If the person making the inspection finds a deviation from the inspection requirements, the inspector shall immediately initiate remedial action.(2)Schedule for Track Inspection.(a) Each track inspection must be made according to the following schedule: TYPE OF TRACK | REQUIRED FREQUENCY |
Light Rail Passenger-service Track | Three times per week with at least one calendar day interval between inspections. |
Light Rail Yard and Storage Track Heavy Rail Yard and Storage Track | Weekly with at least three calendar days interval between inspections, or before use, if track is used less than once a week. |
Heavy Rail Passenger-service Track | Twice weekly with at least one calendar day interval between inspections. |
(b) In addition to 220 CMR 151.11(2)(a), any track undergoing or awaiting repair that has a speed restriction placed on it shall be inspected at a frequency that will insure safe operations at all times.(c) Each switch, turnout, and track crossing must be inspected on foot at least weekly. In the case of track that is used less than once a week, each switch, turnout, and track crossing must be inspected before it is used.(d) In the event of fire, flood, severe storm, or other occurrence which might have damaged track structure, a special inspection must be made of the track involved as soon as possible after the occurrence.(e) The Department of Public Utilities may require inspections at more frequent intervals in areas of dense traffic, high operating speed or questionable physical conditions.(3)Schedule for Rail Inspection.(a) In addition to 220 CMR 151.11(2)(a), at least once a year a continuous search for internal rail defects must be made of all rail in all passenger-service track.(b) Inspection equipment, including ultrasonic rail testing equipment, must be capable of detecting defects between joint bars, in the area enclosed by joint bars.(c) Each defective rail must be marked with highly visible marking on both sides of the web and base.(4)Personnel. (a) The Transportation Authority shall designate qualified persons to supervise restorations and renewals of track under traffic conditions. Each person designated must have: 1.Experience/Education. a. One year of supervisory experience in railroad track maintenance;b. A combination of supervisory experience in track maintenance and training from a course in track maintenance; orc. A college level educational program related to track maintenance.2. Ability to: a. Understand inspection requirements;b. Detect deviations from the inspection requirements;c. Prescribe appropriate remedial action to correct or safely compensate for deviations;d. Procure written authorization from the Transportation Authority to prescribe remedial actions to correct or safely compensate for any deviations from the inspection requirements.(b) The Transportation Authority shall designate qualified persons to inspect track for defects. Each person designated must have:1.Experience/Education. a. At least one year of experience in track inspection; orb. A combination of experience in track inspection and in-house training from a course in track inspection.2. Ability to:a. Understand inspection requirements;b. Detect deviations from the inspection requirements;c. Prescribe appropriate remedial action to correct or safely compensate for deviations;d. Procure written authorization from the Transportation Authority to prescribe remedial actions to correct or safely compensate for any deviations from the inspection requirements pending review by a qualified person designated under 220 CMR 151.11(4)(a).(c) Personnel Records of designees under 220 CMR 151.11(4)(a) and (b) shall show: 1. The basis for each designation;2. Records must be kept available for inspection or copying by the Department of Public Utilities.(5)Records/Reports.(a) The Transportation Authority shall keep a record of each track and rail inspection required to be performed; and such record shall identify the designee who performed the inspection.(b) The Transportation Authority shall designate a location where each original record shall be maintained for at least one year after the track inspection covered by the track inspection record. The Transportation Authority shall retain a rail inspection record for at least two years after the rail inspection and for one additional year after remedial action is taken.(c) Track Inspection Records and Rail Inspection Records shall be: 1. Prepared on the day the inspection is made;2. Signed by the person making the inspection.(d) Inspection Records must specify: 1. The track or rail inspected;2. The date of inspection;3. Location of any deviation;4. Nature of any deviation from the established track standards;5. Remedial action taken by the person making the inspection.(e) Records must be kept available for inspection or copying by the Department of Public Utilities.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1354, eff. 12/15/2017.