railroad-safety · Federal Railroad Administration · Published 2021-07-27 · Effective 2021-08-26 · 86 FR 40154
Document
Document number
2021-15544
Federal Register citation
86 FR 40154
CFR reference
49 CFR 236
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule.
Category
railroad-safety
Sub-agency
Federal Railroad Administration
Publication date
2021-07-27
Effective date
2021-08-26
DOT docket
Docket No. FRA-2019-0075, Notice No. 2
Abstract
FRA is revising its regulations governing changes to positive train control (PTC) systems and reporting on PTC system performance. First, recognizing that the railroad industry intends to enhance FRA- certified PTC systems to continue improving rail safety and PTC technology's reliability and operability, FRA is modifying the process by which a host railroad must submit a request for amendment (RFA) to FRA before making certain changes to its PTC Safety Plan (PTCSP) and FRA-certified PTC system. Second, to enable more effective FRA oversight, this final rule: Expands an existing reporting requirement by increasing the frequency from annual to biannual; broadens the reporting requirement to encompass positive performance-related information, including about the technology's positive impact on rail safety, not just failure-related information; and requires host railroads to utilize a new, standardized report form.