§20170 Pre-revenue Service Safety Validation Plan

Summary

Railroads that start new, extended, or restarted passenger service (if the service was stopped for more than 180 days) must send a full safety validation plan to the Secretary of Transportation at least 60 days before they begin carrying paying passengers. The plan must list safety milestones, require a minimum period of simulated service runs, and show that workers who affect safety are trained and qualified. After sending the plan, the railroad must follow it and cannot change it without telling the Secretary first. Service cannot begin until the plan’s steps, including the required simulated runs, are finished. The Secretary must write rules that require fixing any safety problems before service starts and set review deadlines so approval is not unreasonably delayed.