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Regulatory Relief From Locomotive Horn Sounding Pattern at Public Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

AI Summary: This is a policy document - specifically, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regarding train horn regulations. This regulation would provide greater flexibility for locomotive engineers when sounding train horns at highway-rail grade crossings. Currently, regulations require train horns to be sounded in a specific pattern of two long blasts, one short blast, and one long blast, typically 15-20 seconds before entering a crossing. The proposed amendment would allow locomotive engineers more discretion when trains have stopped near a crossing, permitting them to sound the horn for less than 15 seconds and potentially using just a single horn blast instead of the standard four-blast pattern. The proposed change aims to reduce regulatory burden on railroads and surrounding communities while maintaining safety standards. The proposed rule would modify 49 CFR Part 222, specifically Section 222.21, to explicitly allow this increased flexibility in horn sounding patterns under certain conditions. The FRA is seeking public comments on this proposed rule change, with comments due by September 2, 2025.