The two rail giants account for nearly 90% of the industry’s revenues and more than three-quarters of overall tonnage carried by the sector.

The computer system gave the locomotives dangerous instructions, the complaint alleges, telling the lead locomotive to slow down and the middle locomotive to speed up while climbing a hill.

The STB opened its investigation after crew shortages led to Union Pacific imposing more than 1,000 embargoes in 2022. 

The settlement combines 31 separate cases, and allows for additional compensation for residents who were within 10 miles of the derailment.

The announcement comes nearly a year after a derailment in East Palestine, Ohio sparked a wide-ranging discussion regarding rail safety.

Projects funded by the grants include bridge, track, and grade crossing improvements, expanded passenger rail corridors, and workforce improvements. 

To start 2024, the Port of Los Angeles has already moved an estimated 1.6 million TEUs, marking a 35% bump over that same period last year.

The grants will fund 34 projects across 22 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.