# 2025-12158: Railroads Swap Real Brakes for Virtual Training Simulations

2025-12158, Permitting Use of Virtual Simulation for Periodic Refresher Training on Brake Systems, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Transportation Department, Federal Railroad Administration published 2025-07-01 (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-12158
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-12158
- Title: Permitting Use of Virtual Simulation for Periodic Refresher Training on Brake Systems
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Railroad Administration
- Citation: 90 FR 28667
- Published: 2025-07-01
- Effective: unknown
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2130-AD51
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

Railroads Swap Real Brakes for Virtual Training Simulations

## Summary

Railroads can now use 3D virtual simulations for brake system refresher training, making learning more flexible and interactive. This change helps train employees with realistic, random scenarios and instant feedback, improving safety without extra costs. Railroads affected should start using this option soon to keep their teams sharp and ready.

## Abstract

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.

## Effects PRIA read

- Virtual Simulation Meets Hands‑On Rule: benefit, medium. Railroads may now use three‑dimensional virtual simulation to satisfy the hands‑on portion of periodic refresher training required for brake systems. This gives rail employers a formal, approved option for meeting FRA refresher training requirements using virtual tools.
- Training Gets Randomized Scenarios and Feedback: benefit, medium. The virtual simulations provide employees with randomized scenarios that may not be available in hands‑on drills and give real‑time feedback on performance. This aims to improve employee skills and rail safety by expanding the variety and immediacy of training practice.
- FRA Says No Extra Training Costs: benefit, low. The FRA states that allowing virtual simulation improves safety without extra costs. Railroads and their employees can adopt this simulation option without the rule imposing additional training expense, according to FRA's proposal.

## Related documents

- [2026-17904](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17904): National Environmental Policy Act Regulations, 2026-09-01
- [2026-19031](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19031): Safety Advisory 2025-02; Track Is Clear Determination During Shoving or Pushing Movements Across Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Equipped Only…, 2026-09-17
- [2026-18981](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18981): Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request, 2026-09-16
- [2026-18982](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18982): Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request, 2026-09-16
- [2026-18986](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18986): Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program; Ohio Department of Transportation Audit Report, 2026-09-16
- [2026-17996](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17996): Safety Advisory 2026-01; Restricted Speed, 2026-09-03

## Sources
- [2025-12158 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-12158/permitting-use-of-virtual-simulation-for-periodic-refresher-training-on-brake-systems)
- [2025-12158 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-07-01/pdf/2025-12158.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2025-12157, Enhancing Railroad Discretion in Sounding Locomotive Horns at Passenger Stations](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-12157)
- [Next: 2025-12159, Expanding Certain Locomotive Wheel Set Diameter Variations](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-12159)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-12158 (as of 2026-06-08).