§20170 Pre-revenue Service Safety Validation Plan

Summary

Railroads that start new regular intercity or commuter passenger service, add service, or restart service that stopped for more than 180 days must make and send a full pre-revenue safety validation plan to the Secretary of Transportation at least 60 days before starting revenue service. The plan must list key safety steps and include a minimum period of practice runs under real conditions to show the operation is ready and that all safety-critical staff are trained and qualified. After sending the plan, the railroad must follow it and cannot change it without first telling the Secretary. Service cannot begin until the plan’s requirements, including the practice period, are completed. The Secretary must make rules that require fixing any found safety problems before service starts and set review deadlines so approval does not cause unnecessary delay.