Federal Railroad Administration |
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Federal Railroad Administration |
52. |
Whistle Bans at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings |
Green |
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Popular Title: Whistle Bans |
RIN 2130-AA71 |
Stage: Final Rule |
Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 01/13/2000; End of Comment Period 05/26/2000. Interim Final Rule: Publication Date 12/18/2003; End of Comment Period 02/17/2004; Extension of Comment Period 02/13/2004; End of Extended Comment Period 04/19/2004. |
Abstract: This action would govern when train whistles at grade crossings must be sounded. FRA has found that failing to use the locomotive horn can significantly increase the number of collisions with motorists using the crossing. This action is considered significant because of substantial public interest. This action is being taken pursuant to statutory mandate. Pub. Law 103-440 requires the Secretary to prohibit local whistle bans, except where there is no significant risk of accidents, alternative safety measures are adequate, or where use of a horn as a warning is impractical. After publishing an NPRM, FRA participated in extensive public hearings to gather comments and issued an interim final rule to implement the statute. FRA is currently preparing a final rule to implement the statute. |
Effects:
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Regulatory Flexibility Act
Federalism
EIS
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Prompting action: Statute |
Legal Deadline: |
Final Rule : 11/02/1996
In 2000,Congress passed legislation prohibiting final rule publication before : 07/01/2001
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Rulemaking Project Initiated: 11/02/1994 |
Dates for Final Rule:
Milestone | Originally Scheduled Date | New Projected Date | Actual Date |
To OST |
07/28/2004 |
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To OMB |
08/28/2004 |
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OMB Clearance |
10/25/2004 |
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Publication Date |
10/28/2004 |
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Explanation for any delay: |
N/A
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Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None |
Federal Railroad Administration |
53. |
Standards for Development and Use of Processor-Based Signal and Train Control Systems |
Red |
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Popular Title: Positive Train Control |
RIN 2130-AA94 |
Stage: Final Rule |
Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 08/10/2001; End of Comment Period 11/08/2001. |
Abstract: This rulemaking seeks to facilitate the introduction of positive train control technology by providing performance-based standards for new signal and train control systems. FRA moved radio communications to RIN 2130-AB19, a nonsignificant rulemaking. |
Effects:
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Regulatory Flexibility Act
Negotiated Rulemaking
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Prompting action: None |
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Rulemaking Project Initiated: 11/28/1995 |
Dates for Final Rule:
Milestone | Originally Scheduled Date | New Projected Date | Actual Date |
To OST |
06/14/2002 |
09/30/2003 |
09/29/2003 |
Returned to Mode |
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10/31/2003 |
Resubmitted to OST |
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12/22/2003 |
12/22/2003 |
To OMB |
07/08/2002 |
01/22/2004 |
01/14/2004 |
Withdrawn from OMB |
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04/08/2004 |
Resubmitted to OMB |
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04/16/2004 |
OMB Clearance |
10/15/2002 |
07/16/2004 |
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Publication Date |
10/18/2002 |
07/21/2004 |
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Explanation for any delay: |
Unanticipated impacts requiring further analysis
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Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None |
Federal Railroad Administration |
54. |
Locomotive Crashworthiness |
Yellow |
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Popular Title: Locomotive Crashworthiness |
RIN 2130-AB23 |
Stage: NPRM |
Previous Stage:None |
Abstract: This rulemaking would address the crashworthiness of locomotives pursuant to the Rail Safety Enforcement and Review Act of (1992). FRA investigated locomotive crashworthiness, as well as a variety of locomotive working conditions (See RIN 2130-AA89) and reported its finding to Congress. On October 31, 1996, the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) accepted a preliminary planning task to schedule handling of these issues. The Locomotive Crew Safety Working Group met on January 23, 1997, to develop task statements that were forwarded to the full RSAC and accepted on June 24, 1997. The RSAC Locomotive Crashworthiness Working Group last met in January 2002, to consider specific recommendations for regulatory action. |
Effects:
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Prompting action: Statute |
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Rulemaking Project Initiated: 01/27/1998 |
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone | Originally Scheduled Date | New Projected Date | Actual Date |
To OST |
04/27/2004 |
05/26/2004 |
05/27/2004 |
Returned to Mode |
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06/17/2004 |
Resubmitted to OST |
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06/18/2004 |
To OMB |
05/27/2004 |
07/18/2004 |
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OMB Clearance |
08/27/2004 |
10/18/2004 |
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Publication Date |
09/05/2004 |
10/24/2004 |
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End of Comment Period |
11/08/2004 |
12/24/2004 |
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Explanation for any delay: |
N/A
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Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None |
Federal Railroad Administration |
55. |
Locomotive Event Recorders |
Red |
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Popular Title: Event Recorders |
RIN 2130-AB34 |
Stage: NPRM |
Previous Stage:None |
Abstract: This rulemaking would improve the crashworthiness of railroad locomotive event recorders and would enhance the quality of information available for post-accident investigations. FRA proposes to amend its existing regulations in four major ways: (1) by requiring that new locomotives have event recorders with hardened memory modules, proven by a requirement that the memory modules preserve stored data throughout a sequence of prescribed tests; (2) by requiring that new locomotives have an event recorder that collects certain additional types of information; (3) by simplifying standards for inspecting, testing, and maintaining event recorders; and (4) by requiring the phasing out, over a six-year period, of event recorders that use magnetic tape as a data storage medium. This rulemaking was originally designated as nonsignificant. |
Effects:
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Prompting action: None |
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Rulemaking Project Initiated: 06/24/1997 |
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone | Originally Scheduled Date | New Projected Date | Actual Date |
To OST |
12/24/2003 |
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12/22/2003 |
To OMB |
01/23/2004 |
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03/18/2004 |
OMB Clearance |
04/23/2004 |
06/18/2004 |
06/16/2004 |
Publication Date |
04/30/2004 |
06/25/2004 |
06/30/2004 |
End of Comment Period |
06/30/2004 |
08/31/2004 |
08/31/2004 |
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Explanation for any delay: |
Additional coordination necessary
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Federal Register Citation for NPRM: 69 FR 39773 |
Federal Railroad Administration |
56. |
Occupational Noise Exposure for Railroad Operating Employees |
Red |
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Popular Title: Occupational Noise |
RIN 2130-AB56 |
Stage: NPRM |
Previous Stage:None |
Abstract: This rulemaking would amend FRA occupational noise standards for railroad employees whose predominant noise exposure occurs in the locomotive cab. FRA existing standard (issued in 1980) limits cab employee noise exposure to certain levels based on the duration of employee exposure. This rulemaking would modify that standard and also set out additional requirements. The rulemaking would require railroads to conduct noise monitoring and to implement a hearing conservation program for railroad operating employees whose noise exposure equals or exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 decibels (dB). The rulemaking would also establish design, build, and maintenance standards for new locomotives and maintenance requirements for existing locomotives. FRA expects that this rulemaking would reduce the likelihood of noise-induced hearing loss for railroad operating employees. This rulemaking was originally designated as nonsignificant. |
Effects:
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Regulatory Flexibility Act
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Prompting action: Statute |
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Rulemaking Project Initiated: 06/24/1997 |
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone | Originally Scheduled Date | New Projected Date | Actual Date |
To OST |
12/22/2003 |
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12/22/2003 |
To OMB |
01/23/2004 |
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03/08/2004 |
OMB Clearance |
04/23/2004 |
06/08/2004 |
06/04/2004 |
Publication Date |
04/30/2004 |
06/15/2004 |
06/23/2004 |
End of Comment Period |
07/23/2004 |
08/16/2004 |
09/21/2004 |
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Explanation for any delay: |
Additional coordination necessary
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Federal Register Citation for NPRM: 69 FR 35145 |