Railroad Agency Withdraws Investigation Rule Just Months After Publishing
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Rule
Summary
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is pulling back a new rule about how they investigate train accidents and talk with people involved. This means no new changes will happen right now, so railroad workers, companies, and others won’t see any new rules or costs for the time being. The withdrawal takes effect on January 17, 2025, keeping things as they were before the rule was announced last fall.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Estimated Cost Savings From Withdrawal
By withdrawing the rule, FRA estimates cost savings compared to implementing the rule of about $1,093,842 in 2023 dollars over ten years, with a present value near $1.0 million using a 2% discount rate. FRA reported stakeholder cost savings of $979,220 and government cost savings of $114,622 in its ten-year table.
No New Investigation Rules for Now
If you work for or own a railroad company, the Federal Railroad Administration withdrew the planned rule and there will be no new investigation participation rules or new compliance costs for now. The withdrawal takes effect January 17, 2025, so procedures published October 1, 2024, will not be implemented at this time.
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