USDOT Dissolves Critical Rail Safety Advisory Body

by Sean Jeans-Gail | VP of Gov't Affairs + Policy

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The U.S. Department of Transportation dissolved the Rail Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) this week, an industry advisory body to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on safety programs and technical issues. The move came as part of a department-wide move to disband all advisory committees convened under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which a DOT spokesperson said would allow the Administration to reconstitute membership to better align them with the Administration’s priorities.

As a member of the RSAC, Rail Passengers Association President & CEO Jim Mathews received the notice on Wednesday.

“RSAC plays an essential role in bringing rail industry voices representing operators, workers, passengers and shippers into a single room, and it is capable of producing valuable work," said Mathews. "That includes the Tier III equipment rule, developed with assistance from the Engineering Task Force (ETF) that operates under the auspices of RSAC.”

Despite these successes, there is frustration over the lack of implementation of RSAC’s recommendations. One such example is the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), a proven mechanism for allowing frontline railroad workers to report safety incidents and concerns without fear of retaliation from their employers.

“C3RS is a commonsense safety program that has been widely embraced in the aviation industry, enabling early identification of safety trends and allowing for risk mitigation,” said Mathews. “Its limited adoption in rail reflects a broader resistance to change within the industry.”

As discussions swirl about which voices will be represented on the new-look RSAC, Mathews emphasizes the need for America’s rail passengers to have a seat at the table.

“The path forward requires not only continued oversight from the FRA but also a renewed commitment to translating expert guidance into actionable policy,” said Mathews. “The safety of America's rail workers and passengers depends on it.”