Jad Mouawad is reporting in The New York Times federal regulators last week unveiled new rules for transporting crude oil by trains. The new measures would improve rail safety and reduce the risks of a catastrophic event. The regulations introduce a new tank car standard for oil and ethanol with better protections, and mandate the use of electronically controlled brakes. Under the new rules, the oldest, least safe tank cars would be replaced within three years with new cars with thicker shells, higher safety shields and better fire protection. The later generation of tank cars, built since 2011, will have to be retrofitted or replaced by 2020. The new rules quickly came under criticism from many sides. Lawmakers and safety advocates said the regulations did not go far enough in protecting the public, while industry representatives said some provisions would be costly and yield few safety benefits. Read the full story in The New York Times.