Catherwood LibraryILR School

In the wake of the recent and devastating Los Angeles commuter train crash that claimed 25 lives, Congress is rushing to pass reforms regulating safety and employment conditions more carefully. The bill, which incorporates provisions the National Transportation Safety Board has been encouraging for years, addresses important safety issues stemming from problems such as conductor fatigue (often a causative factor in train accidents), and needed technology upgrades. Among the suggested rules, is a possible reduction of permitted employee work hours from 432 to 276 per month. The potential bill has sparked disagreement between the Federal Railroad Administration, Congress, and industry and labor representatives as to just what regulation is actually necessary.