Advocacy Recommends that the Federal Railroad Administration Revise and Republish its Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for its Proposed Train Crew Size Safety Requirements Rule

On December 21, 2022, the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy submitted comments to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on FRA’s Proposed Train Crew Size Safety Requirements Rule. The FRA’s proposed rule would establish minimum requirements for the size of train crews depending on the type of operation, including a minimum requirement of two crewmembers for all railroad operations, with exceptions for operations that do not pose significant risks to railroad employees, the public, or the environment. The proposed rule would also establish minimum requirements for the location of crewmembers on a moving train and permit special approval procedures to allow railroads to petition FRA to continue “legacy operations” with one-person train crews and allow railroads to petition FRA for approval to “initiate a new train operation” with fewer than two crewmembers.

For more, read the public comment letter and fact sheet, which highlights Advocacy’s concerns and recommendations.