The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has decided to withdraw Task Number 2022-03, titled Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), from the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC). In addition, the FRA is deactivating the C3RS Working Group, which had been tasked with exploring how to improve rail safety through a voluntary, non-punitive safety reporting system. The feedback gathered so far will be used to help the FRA determine the best path forward.

The task was initially presented to RSAC in December 2021 and was accepted by the committee in October 2022. The goal of the task was to evaluate how the FRA could enhance rail safety through regulations, voluntary standards, or guidance for industry-wide reporting systems. Over 80 stakeholders, including rail industry professionals, labor representatives, FRA officials, and other parties, participated in the C3RS Working Group. The group began its efforts with a kickoff meeting in early 2023 and continued through the end of 2024.

Despite the hard work and collaboration within the group, the FRA has concluded that progress has stalled, and further meetings would likely not yield significant results. As a result, the decision was made to deactivate the working group, allowing the FRA and RSAC to focus on new initiatives to advance safety within the railroad industry.

The FRA expressed gratitude to all working group members for their dedication and valuable contributions throughout the process.