The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is an agency within the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) that provides financial and technical assistance to local public transportation systems. The FRA is one of ten modal administrations within the DOT. Headed by an Administrator who is appointed by the President of the United States, the FRA functions through a Washington, D.C., headquarters office and regional offices. The purpose of FRA is to promulgate and enforce rail safety regulations, administer railroad assistance programs, conduct research and development in support of improved railroad safety and national rail transportation policy, provide for the rehabilitation of Northeast Corridor rail passenger service, and consolidate government support of rail transportation activities. — Excerpted from Federal Railroad Administration on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.