The U.S. Department of Transportation is adopting regulations by the Federal Railroad Administration that legalizes the number of consecutive hours passenger railroad employees can work in an effort to diminish risk, improve safety, and differentiate between freight and passenger services.

The final rule applies "fatigue science" to work schedules to regulate maximum on-duty periods as well as minimum off-duty periods. The DOT is attempting to bring scientific data into work scheduling, with the FRA rule being the first of its kind to be completed.

"Safety is job one, and by focusing our attention on proactive risk reduction strategies like these, we will be able to reduce the number of accidents on our railways," says Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. "This new program will let us recognize and prevent fatigue problems for passenger train crews before they arise."