Friday, November 05, 1999 (Washington, DC)

Continuing the Clinton Administration’s effort to improve transportation safety, U.S. Secretary Rodney E. Slater today announced a final rule to revise and update the federal safety regulations that govern both the nation’s railroads and the 35,000 men and women who work as locomotive engineers on America’s freight, passenger and commuter railroads.

"Recent mergers and the growth of smaller railroads have made the work of locomotive engineers more important than ever to safety, which is President Clinton’s highest transportation priority," said Secretary Slater. "This rule will help ensure that America’s railroads continue their outstanding safety performance into the next millennium."

The final rule, which is in today’s Federal Register and becomes effective on Jan. 7, 2000, will strengthen the regulations concerning the training of and qualification for locomotive engineers and their supervisors. This final rule is the first comprehensive revision of the locomotive engineer safety regulations since they became effective in 1992.

The regulation will continue to require that railroads disqualify locomotive engineers who violate safety rules; it also amends the disqualification periods and provides increased opportunities for remedial training for less serious violations. It will address new technology by setting forth minimum safety standards for the operation of vehicles that may be used in lieu of traditional locomotives.

The rule also clarifies the options available to new, start-up railroads and the methods to be used to train and qualify locomotive engineers when increased business allows abandoned lines to be rehabilitated and reopened. In addition, it clarifies the minimum hearing and vision standards needed to safely operate locomotives and trains.

"This proposal eases regulatory burdens while maintaining high safety standards. We are especially pleased that the final rule is based largely on the consensus recommendation reached by the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC)," said FRA Administrator Jolene M. Molitoris.

The Railroad Safety Advisory Committee comprises 48 voting representatives from 27 member organizations, including railroads, rail labor unions, equipment manufacturers, state governments, and public interest groups.