Signal Workers Dodge Certification Bullet in Latest FRA Reversal Proposal
Published Date: 5/15/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Federal Railroad Administration is proposing to cancel the rule that required signal employees to be certified. This affects railroad signal workers and companies, giving them more time to weigh in by July 14, 2026. No new costs or deadlines will kick in until the decision is final, so stay tuned!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Rescind Signal Employee Certification
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) proposes to remove 49 CFR part 246 in its entirety, which would eliminate the 2024 rule requiring railroads to develop written programs to certify signal employees. The 2024 rule had required Class I and commuter railroads to submit programs by March 17, 2025, and Class II and Class III railroads by November 12, 2025; rescission would remove those submission and certification obligations.
Estimated $9.4M Ten-Year Savings
FRA estimates that rescinding the 2024 certification rule would result in a 10-year cost savings of $9.4 million (present value, 7 percent) and would eliminate estimated 10-year benefits of $2.9 million (present value, 7 percent). The 2024 final rule had estimated net costs of $6.5 million (PV, 7%) and annualized net costs of $0.9 million (PV, 7%).
No Enforcement During Review
FRA states it will exercise enforcement discretion and will not take enforcement action based on the current deadlines in 49 CFR 246.103(a)-(b) and 246.105(c)-(e) while this rescission rulemaking is pending. In practice, FRA is not enforcing the March 17, 2025 and November 12, 2025 submission deadlines for certification programs during the pendency of this NPRM.
Possible 6–12 Month Compliance Extension
If FRA decides not to rescind the rule, it proposes to extend the compliance dates by approximately six to twelve months from the effective date of a new final rule to give railroads extra time to comply. That proposed extension would delay liability for noncompliance during the extended period.
End Information-Collection Burden
FRA intends to discontinue the information collection associated with the 2024 certification rule (OMB Control No. 2130-0638) when a final rule is published, removing the related recordkeeping and reporting requirements. The recordkeeping and reporting requirements were previously approved by OMB on June 6, 2024.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16593, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.
2026-16592, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.
2026-15724, High-Speed Train Noise Emission Standards
This NPRM seeks to amend the noise emission regulations to address the unique noise emission characteristics of trains operating at speeds exceeding 160 miles per hour (mph). Specifically, the proposed regulation would provide an alternative standard for noise emissions from train operations exceeding 160 mph, up to 220 mph, and also provide a special approval process for noise emissions from train operations exceeding 220 mph. This alternative noise emission standard and compliance process would effectively remove an existing regulatory barrier to the railroad industry for high-speed rail operations, while continuing to protect public health and welfare. Existing noise emission limits for all train operations at speeds up to 160 mph would continue to apply, and these existing limits would remain available for demonstrating compliance at higher speeds as well.
2026-15605, Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers and Conductors; English Language Proficiency and Other Requirements
FRA proposes to amend its regulations governing the qualification and certification of locomotive engineers and conductors to establish English language proficiency as a requirement for a railroad carrier to certify and recertify locomotive engineers and conductors. FRA also proposes that each railroad carrier conducting a triennial examination of skill performance, and an annual operational monitoring observation for locomotive engineers, which are current requirements, conduct those examinations and observations without engaging energy management systems that limit the need for a locomotive engineer to operate the throttle or braking systems. Further, FRA proposes to codify limitations on operations at the southern border, including a 10 route-mile geographic limitation, to ensure domestic training, testing, and certification requirements for Mexican crew members are adequate. In addition, FRA proposes changes to clarify that a locomotive engineer or conductor's territorial qualification is limited to the specific direction of travel traversed during the qualification process.
2026-14324, Notice of Petition for Amendment of Waiver of Compliance
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association wants to add 8 more railroads to a special rule that changes work-hour limits for train workers. This affects those railroads and their employees by allowing some flexibility in hours, with safety training included. The public can share their thoughts by September 14, 2026, before any decision is made.
2026-14328, Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance
CSX Transportation asked the Federal Railroad Administration to let some of their long-haul trains run up to 1,785 miles before needing certain brake tests and inspections. This change affects trains on approved routes with special safety detectors and aims to keep safety strong while making operations smoother. People can share their thoughts on this by September 14, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-09791, Certification of Dispatchers
The Federal Railroad Administration is proposing to cancel its 2024 rule that would have required railroad dispatchers to get certified. This change affects dispatchers and the rail companies that employ them, potentially saving time and money by avoiding new certification steps. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by July 14, 2026!
Next: 2026-09801, Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH Gliders
If you own a Stemme S 12 glider, heads up! The FAA wants you to regularly check your fuel system for leaks caused by certain copper rings and replace any faulty ones. This keeps your glider safe and stops risky fuel leaks, with comments on the plan due by June 29, 2026.