
Ian Jeffries
33:15 - 34:01
"rail needs a regulatory system to keep pace with innovation. Much of today's regulatory structure was developed 5 decades ago and does not reflect modern technologies or operating practices."
“rail needs a regulatory system to keep pace with innovation. Much of today's regulatory structure was developed 5 decades ago and does not reflect modern technologies or operating practices.”
Third, rail regulatory— excuse me— rail needs a regulatory system to keep pace with innovation. Much of today's regulatory structure was developed 5 decades ago and does not reflect modern technologies or operating practices. Railroads now have more advanced ways to meet safety goals, yet regulations often prevent prevent those methods from being used to satisfy requirements. At the same time, we're seeing legislative proposals that could lock in legacy practices or double down on legacy practices, risking slowing down progress at a time when innovation is thriving. If we want continued safety improvements, affordability, and supply chain resilience, policy must enable investment and support development and deployment of new technologies, not discourage them.
Industry witnesses urged a Senate panel to establish federal rules for autonomous vehicles and block state patchworks. Labor representatives called for binding premarket safety standards beyond self-certification.
