🚂Virtual Simulation Training for Brake Systems
FRA proposes to allow railroads to use three-dimensional virtual simulation to satisfy the hands-on portion of periodic refresher training under FRA's brake system training requirements, consistent with waivers FRA has granted to date. FRA has found that such virtual training provides employees with randomized scenarios that may not be readily available for hands-on training and real-time feedback on performance of duties.
Learn More🚂Proposed Rule for Certification of Railroad Engineers and Conductors
FRA proposes to amend its regulations governing the qualification and certification of locomotive engineers and conductors, to codify longstanding waivers that have granted relief from certain certification requirements for railroads that participate in the FRA- sponsored Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C\3\RS). FRA does not intend this NPRM to be a disincentive to railroads implementing alternative close call reporting programs outside C\3\RS, which the agency believes can still positively impact safety culture. FRA would still entertain waiver requests to implement alternative close call reporting programs, as necessary.
Learn More🚂Proposed Revisions to Locomotive Engineer Certification Requirements
This proposed rule would update FRA's locomotive engineer certification requirements by reducing the information that is required on an engineer's certificate and allowing certificates to be electronic. FRA is also proposing changes to the certification revocation process and the Administrative Hearing Officer (AHO) process. Lastly, FRA is proposing other administrative updates including revising definitions and correcting errors in the regulatory text.
Learn More🚆Proposed Removal of Redundant Regulations in Railroad Industry
FRA intends to remove thirteen sections throughout its regulations that unnecessarily recite the approval of information collection requirements by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), state the assigned OMB control number associated with the entire CFR part, and list the sections in that part with information collection requirements.
Learn More🚂Administrative Updates to Railroad Freight Car Safety Standards
This rule makes administrative updates to FRA's railroad freight car safety standards, including updating addresses.
Learn More🚂Administrative Updates to U.S. Rail Operations Regulations
This rule makes administrative updates to FRA's U.S. locational requirement for dispatching of U.S. rail operations regulations, including updating addresses in those regulations.
Learn More🚆Key Administrative Updates to Railroad Safety Regulations
This rule makes administrative updates to FRA's training, qualification, and oversight regulations, including updating addresses in those regulations.
Learn More📉Removal of Annuity Provider Regulation
This direct final rule (DFR) removes 29 CFR 2550.404a-4 from the Code of Federal Regulations, which is a regulation published in 2008 that provides a fiduciary safe harbor for the selection of annuity providers for the purpose of benefit distributions from individual account retirement plans covered by title I of the Employee Retirement Income Act of 1974 (ERISA). The regulatory safe harbor became unnecessary in 2019 when Congress amended ERISA to add a more streamlined fiduciary safe harbor covering the same activity. Although the statutory safe harbor did not technically nullify or repeal the regulatory safe harbor, its existence offers an unnecessary and inefficient alternative and may inadvertently be a trap for the unwary. This action improves the daily lives of the American people by reducing unnecessary, burdensome, and costly Federal regulations.
Learn More🚂Proposed Rule on Freight Car Age Requirements by FRA
FRA proposes to amend its freight car safety regulations to repeal the requirement for special approval to place or continue a freight car in service if it is more than 50 years old or equipped with any design or type component listed in appendix A to this part. Instead, railroads would be able to continue or place such "overage" cars in service after complying with uniform safety requirements. Those requirements would include comprehensive shop inspections by a designated inspector, single-car air brake testing, recordkeeping, and, as appropriate, stenciling. The proposed requirements are consistent with the most important conditions that FRA now requires through the existing special approval process. Repealing the special approval process and replacing it with the proposed, uniform requirements would provide equivalent safety outcomes while reducing burdens on railroads and eliminating the added delay involved in petitioning FRA for a special approval.
Learn More🚂Updates to Steam Locomotive Inspection and Maintenance Standards
This rule makes administrative updates to FRA's steam locomotive inspection and maintenance standards regulations, including updating addresses in those regulations.
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