Federal Register #2026-09791

FRA Proposes Rescission of Railroad Dispatcher Certification Rule

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), part of the Department of Transportation, is proposing to rescind its previous rule requiring the certification of railroad dispatchers. - Government Buyer: - Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation - No Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or commercial vendors are involved, as this is a regulatory action - Products/Services Requested: - No products or commercial services are being procured - The rescinded rule previously required railroads to develop, submit, and enforce dispatcher certification programs, including training, testing, and certification processes - Unique/Notable Requirements: - The rule would have mandated formal certification programs for railroad dispatchers under 49 CFR part 245 - FRA is responding to industry petitions citing cost, efficiency, and regulatory burden concerns - FRA is seeking public comment on the proposed rescission and its cost-benefit analysis - If the rescission is not finalized, FRA proposes extending compliance deadlines for affected railroads - No purchase quantities, part numbers, or OEM-specific requirements are present

Description

This document is a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) responding to petitions for reconsideration of FRA's May 21, 2024 final rule on the Certification of Dispatchers. The NPRM proposes to rescind the final rule requiring railroads to develop and submit dispatcher certification programs. The rule aimed to ensure dispatchers have the necessary knowledge, skills, and safety record to perform safety-related duties. FRA is seeking public comments on the proposal to rescind the rule and the associated cost-benefit analysis.

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