Railroads Win HOS Exemption for Unplanned Events, Land Line Reports
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted a modified hours-of-service exemption requested by the Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, allowing eligible motor carriers to exceed standard driving and on-duty limits while responding to certain unplanned main-track events.
Exemption Limited to Main-Track Events
Under the exemption, qualifying unplanned events must affect railroad main-track operations. FMCSA said the narrower definition more closely aligns the exemption with emergency provisions that apply to railroad employees under federal law.
Eligible events include weather- and storm-related disruptions such as hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, rock and mudslides, track washouts, earthquakes and wildfires.
Relief from Standard HOS Limits
The exemption allows covered drivers to respond to qualifying events that occur outside their normal work hours or continue beyond those hours. The relief applies to the federal 60-hour/70-hour on-duty limits, according to FMCSA.
More than 200 motor carriers are expected to be covered by the exemption through their participation in railroad-related operations. The modified terms do not provide a blanket waiver for routine railroad work or events that do not affect the main track.
Railroad Emergency Response
The exemption is intended to help railroads and associated motor carriers mobilize equipment and personnel during unexpected disruptions. By limiting eligibility to defined main-track events, FMCSA established a narrower scope than the broader request initially submitted by the railroad associations.
