FRA issues proposed rule for passenger rail safety, risk-reduction systems

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) last week published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in response to petitions seeking reconsideration of a final rule regarding intercity- and commuter-rail systems' Safety System Program (SSP) and Risk Reduction Program (RRP).

The NPRM addresses state and labor petitions filed on the SSP final rule.

In addition, the agency is proposing to extend information protections provided in the SSP final rule and in a proposed RRP rule to information gathered through participation in the FRA's Confidential Close Call Reporting System, according to an American Public Transportation Association (APTA) newsletter.

FRA has proposed extending the stay of the effective date of the SSP final rule.  RRP continues to advance toward a final rule and comments on information protections will be accepted in this rulemaking for both RRP and SSP, APTA reported.

Comments will be accepted until Aug. 12, according to the FRA's announcement in the June 12 Federal Register.