How the CPUC’s Rail Safety Division Protects Californians

September 15, 2025 - 

Every time you see a freight or transit train, whether passing through your city or stopping at a station, you are viewing a rail system in action overseen by the CPUC's Rail Safety Division (RSD). So, what does the RSD do and how does it impact your life? There are a myriad of unseen actions and safety measures helping to keep Californians safe. 

From Inspections to Safe Journeys Home

In April 2025, RSD inspectors visited Union Pacific Railroad’s busy Yermo Yard near Barstow where they found car parts scattered less than 8½ feet from the track center, posing a serious tripping hazard under the CPUC General Order 118‑A. Within hours, the CPUC ensured that the debris was removed and that crew members went home uninjured. 

In mid‑May, inspectors visited the Sierra Northern Railway Canal Yard in West Sacramento where debris was also identified and quickly cleared. These field inspections matter because behind every correctable hazard is someone’s family counting on them to come home safely. 

Putting Community Safety First: RSD Services That Benefit You

Service Area

What It Means for You

 

Q2 Metrics April–June 2025

 

Track & Yard Safety Inspections

Helps rail workers operate safely, keeping tracks clear, preventing derailment and injuries

 

728 inspections; 2,289 unsafe conditions corrected

Hazmat Placard & Special Inspections

Keeps hazardous material transport compliant and labeled

Placard missing on LPG tank car corrected immediately

Rail‑Crossing & Quiet Zone Reviews

Improve crossings near you; less noise, safer access for pedestrians, bikes, and cars

117 safety assessments, including quiet‑zone reviews conducted

Rail Transit Inspections and Audits

Continuous and ongoing inspections of rail transit systems identify safety concerns and require timely correction

There were 93 separate inspections during the quarter resulting in 43 Corrective Action Plans (CAPs). An additional 52 prior CAPs were closed during the quarter.

Community & Education Outreach

Operation LifeSaver educates the public on rail safety and crossing behavior

9 presentations in Q2; 13 YTD

 

Why This Matters

  • Proactive identification of risks and safety concerns: Through Inspections of freight, commuter, and rail transit systems by CPUC rail safety inspectors.

  • Community education and involvement: Through Operation LifeSaver and public status reports, Californians learn how to stay safe around tracks and voice concerns. 

  • Hazardous material oversight: Missing warnings on tank cars can be a big deal when tankers are near homes and schools. RSD identifies these hazards fast. 

  • Safer crossings where you live: Before approving new crossings or upgrades, RSD conducts field inspections and quiet‑zone reviews to help reduce both noise and potential crashes. 

  • Train crews return home safely: Removing debris or non‑compliant gear prevents workplace injuries translating to fewer disruptions, fewer delays, and safer operations.

Employee Voices

“Our inspectors don’t just enforce the rules, they help keep families safe. Every debris cleanup, every crossing audit, it’s about getting people home in one piece.”
 — Pat Tsen, Deputy Executive Director, Consumer Policy, Transportation, and Enforcement

Spotlight: Rail Transit Agencies & Transit Safety Certifications

In addition to RSD’s work on freight lines, they also oversee safety for all public rail transit agencies (RTA) in the state, inspecting the facilities, vehicles, and operations of the rail transit agencies, and issuing certifications for rail extensions and other major projects by RTAs like BART, LA Metro, and the Sacramento Regional Transit.  There are currently over 27 major capital projects under RTSB oversight in California, representing better public transit options around the state, and in preparation for the Word Cup and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Additionally, major RTAs in the state are audited every three years to ensure that rail systems, operations, maintenance, emergency procedures, and security continue to be compliant and safe. This helps set transit systems up to be safe, reliable, and commuter-ready long before passengers come aboard.

Safety Enforcement by the Numbers

Between April and June 2025:

  • 728 safety inspections completed

  • 2,289 non‑compliant issues found and corrected

  • 117 crossing safety assessments, including quiet zone reviews conducted

  • 9 Operation LifeSaver safety presentations delivered to community groups 

  • 27 major capital projects under review

 What Can You Do?

  • Speak up: If you see rail safety hazards at crossings, as a train passes by, or as a passenger on a commuter or transit train, report them by emailing the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Branch at consumer-affairs@cpuc.ca.gov. Your eyes help keep RSD informed.

  • Get educated: Sign up to volunteer and bring an Operation Lifesaver session to your neighborhood.

  • Stay aware: Learn about proposed rail crossings and quiet zone changes in your area.

Rail safety isn’t always big and dramatic. Small but meaningful inspections and community outreach can make a big difference. From keeping walkways clear in Barstow to improving crossings safety across multiple towns, RSD works daily so Californians can feel safe around railroads.

Want to dive deeper? The full CPUC Rail Safety Division Q2 2025 report is available. Browse the tables, case studies, and photos, including those from West Sacramento and Yermo inspections, to see firsthand how RSD protects Californians every day.

By Taseen Shamim, Public Information Officer

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