DOT makes voluntary rule mandatory on speed limit for ethanol rail cars in urban areas

In Washington, the Dept. of Transportation has issued new rules requiring train shipments carrying more than 35 cars of ethanol and oil products or an uninterrupted block of 20 cars carrying the fuel must slow down to 40 mph in urban areas with more than 100,000 people, making a formerly voluntary rule mandatory. The rule applies to all rail car types, not just the older ones blamed for recent accidents.