FRA Formalizes Safety Waivers for Locomotive Engineers
Published Date: 7/1/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
FRA is updating rules for train engineers and conductors to officially include long-standing exceptions for railroads using the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS). This change helps railroads keep safety strong while easing some certification steps. Railroads using other safety reporting programs can still ask for special permission, and no big costs or deadlines are expected right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Codifies C3RS Certification Waivers
The FRA proposes to put into its rules long‑standing waivers that give relief from certain certification requirements for locomotive engineers and conductors when their railroad participates in the FRA‑sponsored Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS). The change is meant to keep safety strong while easing some certification steps, and the agency does not expect big costs or new deadlines right now.
Formal Relief for Participating Railroads
Railroads that participate in the FRA‑sponsored C3RS would receive officially codified relief from certain conductor and engineer certification requirements. The proposal codifies longstanding waivers so participating railroads can continue using C3RS while maintaining safety, and the FRA says it does not expect major costs or deadlines from this change.
Waiver Flexibility for Alternative Programs
The FRA says it will still consider waiver requests from railroads that use alternative close‑call reporting programs instead of C3RS, so railroads using other programs can seek special permission to get similar relief. The agency states it does not intend this proposal to be a disincentive to implementing alternative programs.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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