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HR 661

Celebrating the life of Warren Marcelous DePriest, Sr.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nadarius Clark and 11 co-sponsors

Urges the FRA to deny CSX's Trip Optimizer Zero-to-Zero feature (0-9 mph) due to safety concerns, skill erosion, testing gaps, and impacts on crews, rail labor, and communities.

Bill text as passed House (HR661ER)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 661

Summary — H. Res. 661 (introduced Jan 23, 2025)

Title: Urging the Federal Railroad Administration to deny CSX's request to use Trip Optimizer's Zero‑to‑Zero feature

Purpose / Intent

This non‑binding House resolution urges the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to deny an application by CSX Transportation to use the Trip Optimizer “Zero‑to‑Zero” feature — an automated cruise‑control function that can automatically start and stop trains when moving from zero up to nine miles per hour. The resolution frames the request as a public‑safety concern and seeks to prevent what sponsors describe as a precursor to autonomous train operation.

Key provisions

  • Expresses the House’s position urging the FRA to deny CSX’s request to operate Trip Optimizer’s Zero‑to‑Zero function.
  • Enumerates sponsor concerns: reliance on automation over human judgment, reduced opportunities for engineers to develop and maintain manual skills, limited system testing, and asserted operational malfunctions (e.g., excessive draft/buff forces, rough handling).
  • Notes the FRA’s 2024 two‑person crew rule (cited by sponsors) as a related regulatory context.
  • Directs the Clerk to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press.

Rationale cited by sponsors

  • Safety: argues that computer/algorithmic control cannot substitute for trained engineers’ skill and judgment, especially regarding brake control.
  • Testing gaps: states Zero‑to‑Zero has been tested on only ~25% of CSX territory.
  • Operational problems: alleges daily malfunctions with Trip Optimizer that can increase risk of train separation, blocking crossings, delayed emergency response, and derailments.
  • Workforce impacts: contends automation can degrade skill development for newly promoted and experienced engineers.

Who is affected

  • CSX Transportation (applicant) — would be denied the requested operational use.
  • Federal Railroad Administration — target of the request; would be urged to deny the application (agency retains regulatory authority).
  • Locomotive engineers, train crews, rail labor organizations, and communities along CSX routes — cited as stakeholders in safety and workforce impacts.
  • Public safety and emergency responders in affected communities.

Procedural / legal aspects

  • Introduced in the House on January 23, 2025; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (Status reported by the requester: House Second Readers.)
  • As a House resolution, it is non‑binding and does not have the force of law or require executive action; it communicates the House’s opinion and requests agency action but cannot compel the FRA.

Potential impact

  • If adopted and publicized, the resolution could increase political pressure on the FRA during its review of CSX’s application.
  • It does not change safety or operating rules directly; any denial or approval of Trip Optimizer’s Zero‑to‑Zero would be determined by the FRA through its regulatory and approval processes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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