A proposal to build a privately funded 240-mile high-speed rail line connecting Dallas and Houston has gained two regulatory approvals, with the Federal Railroad Administration issuing its final Rule of Particular Applicability and Record of Decision for the estimated $20 billion privately backed project.
The first approval provides the regulatory framework for project developer Texas Central Railroad LLC and establishes a comprehensive set of safety requirements governing its proposed use of the Central Japan Railway Co.’s Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed rail system. Included are technology-specific requirements for signal and trainset control, track, rolling stock, operating rules and practices, system qualifications and maintenance.