The California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Rail Safety Division (RSD) is responsible for overseeing the safety of freight and transit rail systems throughout the state. Recent activities by RSD inspectors included visits to Union Pacific Railroad’s Yermo Yard near Barstow in April 2025, where car parts scattered too close to the tracks were identified and removed within hours, addressing a tripping hazard under CPUC General Order 118‑A. In May, a similar issue was found and resolved at Sierra Northern Railway Canal Yard in West Sacramento.
RSD conducts a variety of inspections and outreach efforts aimed at maintaining safety for rail workers, passengers, and nearby communities. Between April and June 2025, the division performed 728 track and yard safety inspections that resulted in the correction of 2,289 unsafe conditions. Inspectors also addressed issues related to hazardous materials; for example, a missing placard on an LPG tank car was corrected immediately.
Other efforts include reviews of rail crossings and quiet zones to enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. During the same quarter, RSD conducted 117 crossing safety assessments. Rail transit systems are subject to continuous inspection as well; 93 separate inspections led to 43 Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), with an additional 52 prior CAPs closed during this period.
Community education is another component of RSD’s work. Through Operation LifeSaver presentations—nine of which were delivered in Q2—residents learn about safe behavior around tracks and crossings.
Pat Tsen, Deputy Executive Director for Consumer Policy, Transportation, and Enforcement at CPUC said: “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.”
RSD also oversees public rail transit agencies statewide by inspecting facilities and vehicles as well as issuing certifications for major projects undertaken by agencies such as BART, LA Metro, and Sacramento Regional Transit. There are currently more than 27 major capital projects under RSD oversight across California as preparations continue ahead of events like the World Cup and Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Major rail transit agencies undergo audits every three years to ensure continued compliance with operational standards covering maintenance procedures and emergency response plans.
Members of the public can contribute by reporting hazards observed at crossings or on trains via email to consumer-affairs@cpuc.ca.gov or by participating in community education sessions through Operation LifeSaver.
The full CPUC Rail Safety Division Q2 2025 report provides detailed tables and case studies highlighting these ongoing efforts.
