The Association of American Railroads wants the U.S. Department of Transportation to repeal a 2024 crew staffing rule requiring each train to be operated by a minimum of two crew members.
The trade association said the rule was a 2020 campaign promise by former President Joe Biden that did not quantify any safety benefit to justify its costs.
The group also wants the feds to modernize track inspection regulations to facilitate the use of proven technology that offers enhanced safety benefits, finalize a previously proposed rule that would reflect advances in modern-day air brake technology by extending inspection intervals and complete regulatory revisions initiated during President Donald Trump’s first term to reflect the ubiquitous use of modern, self-diagnostic signal equipment across the rail network.
“For too long, outdated, arbitrary regulations have stood in the way of implementing data-backed solutions that can further strengthen railroads’ already remarkable safety record,” AAR President and CEO Ian Jefferies said in a release.
“As technology advances, railroads must be empowered to innovate — not be hamstrung by prescriptive rules, including some written more than 50 years ago,” Jefferies added. “As a critical economic enabler, domestic growth and prosperity are contingent upon maintaining freight railroads’ ability to safely, reliably and affordably deliver for American businesses and communities.”
The AAR made the recommendations in response to a U.S. Department of Transportation Request for Information calling on the agency to modernize and streamline rail regulations that stifle innovation and discourage investment without enhancing safety.
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