Amtrak Wants to Blast 125 MPH Past Track Workers?
Published Date: 3/17/2025
Notice
Summary
Amtrak wants to change a rule that limits how fast their special Tier III trains can go near track workers. They’re asking to remove the speed limit of 125 mph when passing work zones on nearby tracks. If approved, this could speed up travel without extra costs, but the public has until April 16, 2025, to share their thoughts.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Planned safety and barrier investments
Amtrak says it will enact risk mitigations including right-of-way barrier and fencing improvements, investment in technologies to reduce the risk of maintenance-of-way collisions, and system-wide procedural safety updates. These actions are presented by Amtrak as the basis for its request to remove the 125 mph work-zone restriction.
Remove 125 mph work-zone speed cap
Amtrak asks FRA to remove condition 11a that requires Tier III trainsets to use a speed restriction not to exceed 125 mph when passing roadway work limits on adjacent track. In its petition Amtrak says, if the condition is removed, trainsets could operate "at speeds up to 160 mph in designated high-speed zones."
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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