Federal Railroad Administration; deny CSX's request to become the first railroad to use Trip Optimizer's Zero-to-Zero feature; urge

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kimberly Alexander and 5 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.

House Second Readers

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.

Bill