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Report on DOT Significant Rulemakings

Table of Contents

Federal Railroad Administration

48. Roadway Worker Protection; Adjacent-Track On-Track Safety

49. Positive Train Control

50. Alcohol and Controlled Substance Testing for Maintenance-of-Way Employees

51. Risk Reduction Program

52. Hours of Service - Passenger Train Employees

53. Restriction of Improper Use of Cellular Telephones and Other Electronic and Electrical Devices





Federal Railroad Administration



Federal Railroad Administration
48.  Roadway Worker Protection; Adjacent-Track On-Track Safety Red
Popular Title:Roadway Worker Protection; Adjacent-Track On-Track
RIN 2130-AB96
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would simplify the determination regarding whether or not adjacent track protection is required for roadway work groups engaged in large-scale maintenance or construction, pursuant to 49 CFR Part 214. The recent increase in roadway worker fatalities that have occurred on adjacent track has caused some concern at FRA and throughout the industry, even prompting the filing of a petition for emergency order. FRA issued a notice of safety advisory to address the issue in May of 2004; however, it appears that the effects were not long-lasting. This rulemaking is based on the consensus language developed through the Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) Working Group of FRA´s Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC).
Effects:
 None
Prompting action:Secretarial/Head of Operating Administration Decision
Legal Deadline: None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 08/20/2008
Dates for NPRM:
MilestoneOriginally
Scheduled
Date
New
Projected
Date
Actual
Date
To OST     11/14/2008 
Returned to Mode     11/20/2008 
Resubmitted to OST 03/02/2009  04/09/2009  04/03/2009 
Returned to Mode/2     04/15/2009 
Resubmitted to OST/2   05/05/2009  05/05/2009 
Returned to Mode/3     05/29/2009 
Resubmitted to OST/3   08/06/2009  08/05/2009 
To OMB 04/03/2009  08/13/2009  08/06/2009 
OMB Clearance 07/06/2009  11/06/2009  11/05/2009 
Publication Date 07/22/2009  11/25/2009  11/25/2009 
End of Comment Period 09/21/2009  01/25/2010  01/25/2010 
Explanation for any delay:Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: 74 FR 61633




Federal Railroad Administration
49.  Positive Train Control Red
Popular Title:Positive Train Control Implementation
RIN 2130-AC03
Stage: Final Rule
Previous Stage:NPRM: Publication Date 07/21/2009; End of Comment Period 08/20/2009.
Abstract: This rulemaking would regulate the submission of Positive Train Control plans; the implementation of the Positive Train Control Systems; and the qualification, installation, maintenance and use of the these systems required under 49 USC 20157 or specifically required by the Federal Railroad Administration.
Effects:
 Economically Significant
Major
Regulatory Flexibility Act
Prompting action:Statute
Legal Deadline: None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 10/16/2008
Dates for Final Rule:
MilestoneOriginally
Scheduled
Date
New
Projected
Date
Actual
Date
To OST 10/13/2009    10/09/2009 
To OMB 10/16/2009    10/21/2009 
OMB Clearance 10/26/2009  12/04/2009  12/30/2009 
Publication Date 10/30/2009  01/15/2010   
Explanation for any delay:Unanticipated issues requiring further analysis
Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None




Federal Railroad Administration
50.  Alcohol and Controlled Substance Testing for Maintenance-of-Way Employees Red
Popular Title:Controlled Substance Testing/Maintenance Employees
RIN 2130-AC10
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would revise the Federal Railroad Administration´s alcohol and drug regulations to cover all employees of railroads, railroad contractors, and subcontractors who perform maintenance-of-way activities. The rulemaking would also make other miscellaneous updates to 14 CFR Part 219.
Effects:
 None
Prompting action:Statute
Legal Deadline:  Final Rule : 10/16/2010
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 10/16/2008
Dates for NPRM:
MilestoneOriginally
Scheduled
Date
New
Projected
Date
Actual
Date
To OST 09/08/2009  02/09/2010   
To OMB 10/07/2009  03/04/2010   
OMB Clearance 01/05/2010  06/04/2010   
Publication Date 01/13/2010  06/15/2010   
End of Comment Period 03/15/2010  08/16/2010   
Explanation for any delay:Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None




Federal Railroad Administration
51.  Risk Reduction Program Green
Popular Title:Risk Reduction Program
RIN 2130-AC11
Stage: ANPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would require railroads to submit Risk Reduction Programs for review and approval to the FRA Administrator. These programs would be reviewed for annual compliance. The rulemaking would also ensure that railroads comply with their Positive Train Control (PTC) schedules and ensure railroads implement PTC by December 31, 2018, except as required by § 104 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
Effects:
 Economically Significant
Major
Prompting action:Statute
Legal Deadline:  Final Rule : 10/16/2012
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 10/16/2008
Dates for ANPRM:
MilestoneOriginally
Scheduled
Date
New
Projected
Date
Actual
Date
To OST 04/02/2010     
To OMB 05/03/2010     
OMB Clearance 05/17/2010     
Publication Date 05/25/2010     
End of Comment Period 07/26/2010     
Explanation for any delay:N/A
Federal Register Citation for ANPRM: None




Federal Railroad Administration
52.  Hours of Service - Passenger Train Employees Red
Popular Title:Hours of Service - Passenger Train Employees
RIN 2130-AC15
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would establish hours of service requirements for train employees engaged in commuter and intercity passenger rail transport.
Effects:
 Economically Significant
Major
Information Collection
Prompting action:Statute
Legal Deadline:  Final Rule : 10/16/2011
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 10/16/2008
Dates for NPRM:
MilestoneOriginally
Scheduled
Date
New
Projected
Date
Actual
Date
To OST 11/12/2009  06/15/2010   
To OMB 12/10/2009  07/15/2010   
OMB Clearance 03/10/2010  10/15/2010   
Publication Date 03/18/2010  10/25/2010   
End of Comment Period 05/18/2010  12/27/2010   
Explanation for any delay:Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None




Federal Railroad Administration
53.  Restriction of Improper Use of Cellular Telephones and Other Electronic and Electrical Devices Green
Popular Title:Restriction of Cellular Telephones and Devices
RIN 2130-AC21
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would restrict railroad operating employees from improperly using cellular telephones and other distracting electronic and electrical devices.
Effects:
 None
Prompting action:Secretarial/Head of Operating Administration Decision
Legal Deadline: None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 11/09/2009
Dates for NPRM:
MilestoneOriginally
Scheduled
Date
New
Projected
Date
Actual
Date
To OST 01/08/2010    01/11/2010 
To OMB 02/01/2010     
OMB Clearance 02/19/2010     
Publication Date 02/26/2010     
End of Comment Period 03/29/2010     
Explanation for any delay:N/A
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None