FRA Scraps Antiquated Safety Rules to Streamline Railroad Worker Training
Published Date: 7/1/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FRA is scrapping old railroad safety rules that no longer make sense and adding a new way for companies to get special approval for safer bridge work. They’re also making sure workers who operate cranes on maintenance machines get the right training to keep things safe. These changes help rail workers stay safe without slowing down work or adding extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repeal of Obsolete Track Safety Rules
The FRA proposes to repeal several roadway workplace safety requirements that it says are obsolete. If you work on or around railroad roadways, this rule change removes those outdated requirements while the FRA intends to keep safety protections in place.
New Special Approval for Bridge Safety Approaches
The FRA proposes a new special approval procedure that lets regulated entities use an alternative approach to bridge worker safety after public notice and FRA approval, as long as it provides equivalent or better safety. If you operate a regulated railroad entity, this creates a formal route to get FRA approval for alternative bridge-safety methods.
Clarified Crane Operator Training Requirement
The FRA proposes to clarify that required training for operators of roadway maintenance machines with a crane includes specific topics such as maintaining vertical clearance. If you operate those machines, your required training would explicitly cover vertical-clearance safety.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11515 — Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance
The Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA) wants to renew a special permission to skip some brake tests on their transfer trains because their blast furnace is firing back up in 2026. This means trains will start running again, and they need the waiver to keep things moving smoothly without extra brake checks. The public can share their thoughts by August 10, 2026, before the decision is made.
2026-11509 — Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance
NJ Transit wants to keep a special break from some railroad safety rules for its River Line train that runs between Camden and Trenton, NJ. This extension helps them run and maintain their trains more smoothly without extra hassle. If you have thoughts, make sure to share them by August 10, 2026!
2026-11516 — Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance
St. Mary's Railway West wants to keep its special safety break that lets train workers report close calls without fear of punishment. This helps everyone stay safer by encouraging honest sharing of near-misses. The public can share their thoughts on this by August 10, 2026, but no money changes are involved.
2026-11276 — Long Island Rail Road's Request To Amend Its Positive Train Control System
The Long Island Rail Road wants to make some changes to its safety system that helps prevent train crashes, called Positive Train Control (PTC). They asked the government for approval on May 21, 2026, and now the public can share their thoughts until June 25, 2026. These updates aim to keep trains safer without causing delays or extra costs for riders.
2026-10308 — Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance
Amtrak asked the Federal Railroad Administration to extend a break from some safety rules about train brakes and crew training. This affects passenger trains and gives Amtrak more time to meet certain safety standards without penalties. People have until July 21, 2026, to share their thoughts on this extension, which helps keep trains running smoothly while safety updates continue.
2026-10307 — Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance
The Housatonic Railroad Company asked for more time to keep a special rule that lets their train workers work 6 days in a row before getting 24 hours off, instead of the usual 48 hours. This change helps the railroad run smoother and keeps workers less tired. People can share their thoughts on this by July 21, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-12102 — Deregulatory-Establishing United States Citizenship for MARAD Program Participation; Simplifying the Application Process
MARAD is making it easier for companies to prove they’re U.S. citizens when joining their programs. They’re cutting out extra paperwork, like birth details and notarizations, to keep things simple and protect privacy. These changes will save time and hassle for businesses starting soon, with no extra costs involved.
Next: 2025-12117 — Pipeline Safety: Atmospheric Corrosion Reassessment for Pipeline Replacements
PHMSA wants to change the rules for checking gas pipelines for rust. Instead of inspecting every 3 years after fixing or replacing parts, companies can wait 5 years. This means gas companies save money and still keep pipelines safe.