---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 20136"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "20136"
heading: "Automatic train control and related systems"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/20136"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Rail Programs"
  - "Part A — Safety"
  - "Chapter 201 — General"
  - "Subchapter II — Particular Aspects of Safety"
---

# §20136. Automatic train control and related systems


The [Secretary](/usc/49/22401.md?p=14) of Transportation shall prescribe regulations and issue orders to require that—

- (1) an individual performing a test of an automatic train stop, train control, or cab signal apparatus required by the [Secretary](/usc/49/22401.md?p=14) to be performed before entering territory where the apparatus will be used shall certify in writing that the test was performed properly; and
- (2) the certification required under clause (1) of this section shall be maintained in the same way and place as the daily inspection report for the locomotive.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 875; Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(19), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4379.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pub. L. 103–272 |  |  |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 20136 | 45:431(j). | Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, § 202(j); added June 22, 1988, Pub. L. 100–342, § 9, 102 Stat. 628. |

The words “Within 90 days after June 22, 1988” are omitted as expired.

### Pub. L. 103–429

This amends 49:20136(2) to correct an error in the codification enacted by section 1 of the Act of July 5, 1994 (Public Law 103–272, 108 Stat. 875).

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Par. (2). Pub. L. 103–429 substituted “section” for “subsection”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–429 effective July 5, 1994, see section 9 of Pub. L. 103–429, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.