The California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Rail Safety Division (RSD) is responsible for overseeing the safety of freight and transit rail systems across the state. Inspectors from the RSD regularly visit rail yards and tracks to identify hazards and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
In April 2025, RSD inspectors visited Union Pacific Railroad’s Yermo Yard near Barstow. During this inspection, they found car parts scattered less than 8½ feet from the track center, which posed a tripping hazard according to CPUC General Order 118‑A. The debris was removed within hours, ensuring that crew members could return home safely. In May, similar debris was identified and cleared at Sierra Northern Railway Canal Yard in West Sacramento.
Between April and June 2025, RSD conducted 728 track and yard safety inspections statewide, correcting 2,289 unsafe conditions. Inspectors also performed hazmat placard checks; for example, a missing placard on an LPG tank car was corrected immediately to maintain hazardous material transport compliance.
The division reviewed 117 rail crossings during this period, including quiet zone assessments aimed at improving pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle access while reducing noise. For rail transit systems such as BART and LA Metro, RSD carried out 93 inspections that resulted in 43 Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), while closing another 52 CAPs from previous quarters.
Community education remains part of the division’s mission through Operation LifeSaver presentations focused on safe behavior around railroad tracks. Nine presentations were delivered in the second quarter of 2025.
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 by inspecting facilities and operations as well as issuing certifications for major projects like extensions by BART or LA Metro. Over 27 capital projects are currently under review in preparation for upcoming events such as the World Cup and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Major transit agencies are audited every three years to ensure continued compliance with operational and safety standards.
Californians are encouraged to report any observed rail safety hazards by contacting CPUC’s Consumer Affairs Branch via email or participating in local Operation Lifesaver sessions.
The full Q2 2025 report from CPUC’s Rail Safety Division is available online for those seeking more detailed information about ongoing inspections and case studies.
