Action
Final rule.
Summary
FRA is amending its Railroad Operating Rules and its Radio Standards and Procedures by removing requirements that railroads file their operational testing programs, operating rules instruction programs, annual summaries on operational tests and inspections, and their radio rules with the Federal Railroad Administrator and by substituting requirements that railroads retain such records and make them available to FRA representatives during normal business hours. FRA is also amending the Railroad Operating Rules by eliminating the requirement that Class III railroads file their operating rules, timetables, and timetable special instructions with the Federal Railroad Administrator. In addition, FRA is making technical changes to require railroads to record specific information when conducting operational tests and inspections of their employees. Finally, FRA is changing the Railroad Operating Rules and the Radio Standards and Procedures so as to allow retention of certain records by ``electronic recordkeeping'' (i.e., retention of a computer record in lieu of a paper record). These amendments are intended to eliminate nonessential reporting requirements while enabling FRA to review meaningful data to determine the safety of a railroad's operations.