Which federal body regulates rail transportation in the United States?

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is the federal body that regulates rail transportation in the United States. Established under the Department of Transportation, the FRA is responsible for overseeing all aspects of railroad safety, including the operation of trains and the infrastructure of railroads. This agency develops and enforces regulations that govern railroad operations, ensuring safety standards are met to protect both workers and the public. Additionally, the FRA plays a crucial role in facilitating the development of rail services and promoting the effective use of rail networks.

While other agencies and departments, such as the Surface Transportation Board, focus on economic regulation and policies affecting freight and passenger rail services, they do not encompass the full regulatory scope of rail safety and operations that the FRA handles. The Federal Aviation Administration, on the other hand, pertains specifically to the aviation sector, and the Department of Transportation, while overseeing multiple forms of transportation, does not directly regulate rail operations the way the FRA does. This makes the Federal Railroad Administration the correct answer for regulating rail transportation in the United States.