FRA Scraps Dusty Rail Safety Rules for Modern Flex
Published Date: 8/31/2026
Rule
Summary
This rule repeals several roadway workplace safety requirements that have become obsolete. In addition, FRA establishes a new special approval procedure to enable regulated entities, after public notice and FRA approval, to utilize an alternative approach to bridge worker safety that provides for an equivalent or better level of safety. Also, this rule clarifies that the required training for operators of roadway maintenance machines equipped with a crane includes specific aspects such as maintaining vertical clearance.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New Petition Process for Bridge Safety
If you are a regulated railroad, you can petition FRA under new Sec. 214.119 to use an alternative bridge worker safety approach that provides an equivalent or better level of safety. Petitions must include contact information, a detailed description of the alternative, and data or analysis showing equivalent safety; FRA will publish a Federal Register notice, allow 30 days for public comment, and normally decide within 90 days. FRA estimates the new petition requirement adds 10 hours annually for the petitioning universe and reports a total annual dollar cost of $891.30 for the petition activity.
Clarified Crane Operator Training Requirement
If you operate roadway maintenance machines with a crane, the rule clarifies that your required training must include specific topics such as maintaining vertical clearance. FRA states it expects this clarification to avoid crane strikes and does not expect any additional burdens from the clarification.
Workers Keep Right to Request Overhead Covers
FRA decided to retain existing paragraph 214.515(b), so workers retain the right to request overhead protection on machines in service that lack adequate overhead covers. The rule also requires defective covers on machines that currently or previously had them to be repaired and maintained in accordance with Sec. 214.531.
Machine Horns and Lights Minimum Standards
Employers must ensure existing on-track roadway maintenance machines have a horn or audible device loud enough to be heard by roadway workers and other machine operators in the immediate work area and a permanent or secure portable light capable of illuminating obstructions on the track ahead for 300 feet under normal conditions when operating between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise (or in dark areas such as tunnels).
Recordkeeping Retention and Small Paperwork Increase
Employers must retain records pertaining to compliance with schedule-of-repairs rules for at least one year and make them available for inspection; records may be kept on the machine or electronically. FRA reports the overall information-collection burden will increase by 10 hours annually (from 5,619 to 5,620 hours) and lists the Sec. 214.119 petition as a 10-hour submission with a total annual dollar cost of $891.30.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17787, Repealing Special Approval Requirement for Freight Cars More Than 50 Years Old
Starting September 30, 2026, railroads no longer need special approval to use freight cars over 50 years old or with certain older parts. Instead, they just have to notify the Federal Railroad Administration and provide some info, making things faster and easier. This change helps railroads save time and cut red tape without extra costs.
2026-17783, Regulatory Relief From Locomotive Horn Sounding Pattern at Public Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
This final rule amends safety standards related to use of the locomotive horn to provide regulatory relief from the required pattern of sounding the locomotive horn in two long blasts, one short blast, and one long blast for locomotive engineers operating trains, locomotive consists, or individual locomotives that have stopped in close proximity to a public highway-rail grade crossing. This final rule allows locomotive engineers to vary the locomotive horn sounding pattern to one single blast of the horn as they enter the nearby public highway-rail grade crossing.
2026-17792, Permitting Use of Computer-Based, Three-Dimensional Simulation for Periodic Refresher Training on Brake Systems
This rule permits railroads to use a simulation that is instructor-led, computer-based, and three-dimensional (3D) 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. This computer-based 3D simulation training can provide employees with randomized scenarios that may not be readily available for hands-on training and facilitate real-time feedback on performance of duties.
2026-17790, Retiring Form FRA F 6180.107 and Form FRA F 6180.150
This rule retires Form FRA F 6180.107, "Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to be Work-Related" (Form 6180.107), and Form FRA F 6180.150, "Highway User Injury Inquiry Form" (Form 6180.150). This rule also changes the record retention period required under FRA's accident reporting regulations and makes other technical corrections.
2026-17791, Miscellaneous Amendments to FRA's Accident Reporting Regulations
This rule makes miscellaneous amendments to FRA's accident reporting regulations. Specifically, these amendments promote submitting documents to FRA electronically, eliminate redundant regulations, and allow railroads with additional time to complete certain forms.
2026-17784, Amendments to Brake System Maintenance and Inspection Requirements
This rule amends mechanical equipment safety standards related to brake inspections for passenger and freight rail equipment and incorporates longstanding waivers for locomotive brake system maintenance and inspection requirements. The amendments are consistent with the mandates of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which require FRA to review and analyze certain longstanding waivers to determine whether incorporating the waivers into FRA's regulations is justified, and Executive Order 14219, Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Deregulatory Initiative.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-17788, Expanding Certain Locomotive Wheel Set Diameter Variations
This rule amends FRA's locomotive safety regulations to expand the maximum permitted variation in diameter for locomotive wheel sets using alternating current technology, in response to a Class I railroad's May 2019 petition for rulemaking and innovations in traction motor control.
Next: 2026-17790, Retiring Form FRA F 6180.107 and Form FRA F 6180.150
This rule retires Form FRA F 6180.107, "Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to be Work-Related" (Form 6180.107), and Form FRA F 6180.150, "Highway User Injury Inquiry Form" (Form 6180.150). This rule also changes the record retention period required under FRA's accident reporting regulations and makes other technical corrections.