Railroad Hours of Service Requirements

U.S. Government Accountability Office

Contents

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Purpose

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), an agency of the Congress, is conducting this survey as part of a study of the hours of service requirements included in the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA). This act both revised existing requirements and introduced new hours of service requirements for the freight railroad industry. Among the hours of service requirements included in RSIA are an increase in the minimum rest time from 8 hours to 10 hours during a 24-hour period for covered employees, a cap of 276 hours per calendar month on total monthly work hours for covered employees, a prohibition against railroads' contacting covered employees during their undisturbed rest times, and a limit on the number of hours per calendar month (currently 30 hours) that a covered employee can be in a status that is neither on duty nor off duty (called limbo time).

The purpose of this survey is to provide insight into the impact of these hours of service requirements on the freight railroad industry. This survey only covers changes to freight railroad hours of service requirements that became effective July 16, 2009. It does not apply to passenger rail operations. We appreciate you taking the time to complete this important survey. Findings will be used in reports and testimony to Congress.

Directions for Completing This Survey

We encourage you to answer each question as completely as possible. Before choosing an answer, please read the full question and all response choices carefully. There are no right or wrong answers. Please respond in your capacity as a company manager. The survey should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

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RSIA Hours of Service Requirement Definitions

Terms used in the survey are described below.

COVERED EMPLOYEE -An employee specified in 49 U.S.C. § 21101. This includes a train employee, signal employee, or dispatching service employee.

10-HOUR UNDISTURBED REST PERIOD - The minimum off-duty period of 10 consecutive hours that covered employees are generally required to receive without contact by a railroad or other covered employer. Under RSIA, this period increased for some covered employees from 8 to 10 hours.

276-HOUR MONTHLY CAP - The maximum number of hours in any calendar month that a train employee may spend on duty; waiting for deadhead transportation, or in deadhead transportation from a duty assignment to the place of final release; or in any other mandatory service for a carrier. 49 U.S.C. § 21103(a)(1). Deadheading means the physical relocation of a train employee from one point to another following a verbal or written directive from the railroad.

CREW SCHEDULE CHANGES - Change(s) made in covered employees' work schedules as a result of RSIA hours of service requirements. For example, a covered employee's work schedule could change from 11 consecutive days with crew starts and 4 days (96 hours) of rest to 6 consecutive days with crew starts and 2 days (48 hours) of rest.

CONTACT DURING REST PERIOD - Any communication by a railroad or other covered employer with a covered employee, by telephone, pager, or any other means that could reasonably be expected to disrupt the covered employee's rest during a mandatory rest period.

MONTHLY CAP ON LIMBO OR DEADHEAD TIME- Number of hours per calendar month that a covered employee is permitted to be in a status that is neither on duty nor off duty. Under RSIA, except in certain situations, this time is currently capped at 30 hours per calendar month. Deadhead time is also currently subject to this 30-hour cap.

SAFETY RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM - A program developed and used by railroads to identify and mitigate risks to safety, including risks associated with covered employee fatigue. RSIA requires that all Class I railroads, selected "at risk" railroads, and intercity and commuter railroads develop a safety risk reduction program, including a fatigue risk management plan (FRMP), by October 2012. 49 U.S.C. § 20156.



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Changes Resulting from RSIA Hours of Service Requirements

1. Does your railroad have any employees covered by the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 7 0 7
Class 2 14 0 14
Class 3 153 3 156

2. How many of your employees are covered by the RSIA hours of service requirements?

Number of employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 11,537 12,850 1,250 21,000 6
Class 2 225 190 85 489 14
Class 3 24 17 3 110 151

3. During 2010, how many covered employees, if any, reached or exceeded the 276-hour total cap in each of the following months?

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January 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 1 0 0 3 5
Class 2 0 0 0 0 13
Class 3 1 0 0 24 146

February 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 0 5
Class 2 0 0 0 0 13
Class 3 0 0 0 24 146

March 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 1 0 0 5 5
Class 2 0 0 0 5 13
Class 3 1 0 0 24 146

April 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 1 0 0 4 5
Class 2 0 0 0 0 13
Class 3 1 0 0 24 146

May 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 1 0 0 3 5
Class 2 0 0 0 3 13
Class 3 1 0 0 26 146

June 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 0 5
Class 2 0 0 0 2 13
Class 3 1 0 0 26 146

July 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 1 5
Class 2 1 0 0 5 13
Class 3 1 0 0 26 146

August 2010

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Rank

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 1 0 0 5 5
Class 2 0 0 0 0 13
Class 3 1 0 0 26 147

September 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 1 0 0 6 5
Class 2 0 0 0 3 13
Class 3 1 0 0 26 146

October 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 1 2 0 3 5
Class 2 0 0 0 2 13
Class 3 1 0 0 26 147

November 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 1 0 0 2 5
Class 2 0 0 0 0 13
Class 3 1 0 0 26 147

December 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 2 5
Class 2 0 0 0 0 13
Class 3 1 0 0 26 147

4. During 2010, how many covered employees, if any, reached the 30-hour monthly cap on limbo or deadhead time in each of the following months?

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January 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 1 5
Class 2 0 0 0 2 13
Class 3 0 0 0 2 146

February 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 0 5
Class 2 0 0 0 2 13
Class 3 0 0 0 2 145

March 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 0 5
Class 2 0 0 0 1 13
Class 3 0 0 0 2 145

April 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 0 5
Class 2 0 0 0 2 13
Class 3 0 0 0 2 145

May 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 0 5
Class 2 0 0 0 0 13
Class 3 0 0 0 4 145

June 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 0 5
Class 2 0 0 0 0 13
Class 3 0 0 0 2 145

July 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 0 5
Class 2 0 0 0 2 13
Class 3 0 0 0 2 145

August 2010

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Rank

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 0 5
Class 2 0 0 0 1 13
Class 3 0 0 0 3 145

September 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 2 5
Class 2 0 0 0 0 13
Class 3 0 0 0 2 145

October 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 1 5
Class 2 0 0 0 0 13
Class 3 0 0 0 2 145

November 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 1 5
Class 2 0 0 0 0 13
Class 3 0 0 0 2 145

December 2010

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Covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 0 5
Class 2 0 0 0 0 13
Class 3 0 0 0 2 145

5. Which of the following changes, if any, did your railroad or your railroad's parent company make as a direct result of the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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Created a new hours of service time-keeping system

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  Yes No Don't Know No response Number of respondents
Class 1 3 4 0 0 7
Class 2 5 9 0 0 14
Class 3 94 51 5 1 151

Reprogrammed or updated an existing hours of service time-keeping system

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  Yes No Don't Know No response Number of respondents
Class 1 7 0 0 0 7
Class 2 12 2 0 0 14
Class 3 69 71 6 4 150

Began or enhanced methods to assess employee fatigue

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  Yes No Don't Know No response Number of respondents
Class 1 5 2 0 0 7
Class 2 0 12 1 1 14
Class 3 14 106 16 10 146

6. Did your railroad make any of the following changes as a direct result of the RSIA hours of service requirements? How much of an operational burden to your railroad, if any, were the changes directly resulting from the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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Changed train schedules

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Did your railroad make this change as a direct result of the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 4 3 7
Class 2 5 9 14
Class 3 70 83 153

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, were the changes directly resulting from the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 0 1 2 1 0 4
Class 2 1 2 1 1 0 5
Class 3 16 23 18 11 2 70

Changed crew schedules

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Did your railroad make this change as a direct result of the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 7 0 7
Class 2 8 6 14
Class 3 98 54 152

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, were the changes directly resulting from the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 0 2 4 1 0 7
Class 2 0 5 2 1 0 8
Class 3 16 35 30 13 4 98

Changed crew calling system

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Did your railroad make this change as a direct result of the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 7 0 7
Class 2 5 9 14
Class 3 59 93 152

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, were the changes directly resulting from the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 2 4 1 0 0 7
Class 2 1 3 1 0 0 5
Class 3 17 16 18 6 2 59

Brought furloughed covered employees back in service

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Did your railroad make this change as a direct result of the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 5 2 7
Class 2 6 8 14
Class 3 19 134 153

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, were the changes directly resulting from the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 0 2 2 1 0 5
Class 2 0 2 3 0 1 6
Class 3 2 6 4 2 5 19

Placed employees on furlough

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Did your railroad make this change as a direct result of the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 1 6 7
Class 2 0 14 14
Class 3 2 150 152

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, were the changes directly resulting from the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 0 0 1 0 0 1
Class 3 0 2 0 0 0 2

7. What other operational changes has your railroad made as a direct result of the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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data intentionally not reported

8. Are any of the following actions occurring as a direct result of the RSIA hours of service requirements? How much of an operational burden to your railroad, if any, are the actions directly resulting from the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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Guaranteed hours of work for employees were not met

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Did this action occur as a direct result of RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 4 3 7
Class 2 5 9 14
Class 3 22 131 153

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, did this have on your railroad?

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  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 0 0 3 1 0 4
Class 2 0 2 2 0 1 5
Class 3 3 4 7 4 4 22

Processing of employee claims for lost work opportunities increased

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Did this action occur as a direct result of RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 5 2 7
Class 2 7 7 14
Class 3 19 132 151

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, did this have on your railroad?

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  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 0 1 1 2 1 5
Class 2 2 1 3 0 1 7
Class 3 3 5 6 4 0 18

Ability to meet customer needs was reduced

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Did this action occur as a direct result of RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 4 3 7
Class 2 7 7 14
Class 3 87 66 153

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, did this have on your railroad?

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  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 0 0 2 1 1 4
Class 2 2 2 1 2 0 7
Class 3 20 17 30 18 2 87

Ability to handle signal system trouble calls was reduced

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Did this action occur as a direct result of RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 2 5 7
Class 2 5 9 14
Class 3 39 114 153

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, did this have on your railroad?

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  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 1 1 2
Class 2 0 1 1 3 0 5
Class 3 5 10 8 13 2 38

Routine or scheduled signal system maintenance was delayed or deferred

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Did this action occur as a direct result of RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 2 5 7
Class 2 5 9 14
Class 3 20 132 152

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, did this have on your railroad?

(View question)

  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 1 1 2
Class 2 0 2 1 2 0 5
Class 3 1 7 6 6 0 20

Employees were temporarily held from service due to caps

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Did this action occur as a direct result of RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 7 0 7
Class 2 9 5 14
Class 3 54 97 151

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, did this have on your railroad?

(View question)

  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 0 2 1 3 1 7
Class 2 1 3 3 1 1 9
Class 3 10 19 17 6 2 54

Train service was delayed or canceled

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Did this action occur as a direct result of RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 6 1 7
Class 2 7 6 13
Class 3 80 70 150

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, did this have on your railroad?

(View question)

  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 1 2 1 2 0 6
Class 2 3 2 3 0 0 8
Class 3 16 19 27 12 3 77

Ability of managers to perform noncovered service was reduced

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Did this action occur as a direct result of RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 0 7 7
Class 2 2 12 14
Class 3 46 105 151

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, did this have on your railroad?

(View question)

  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 2 0 0 2 0 0 2
Class 3 6 10 18 10 2 46

Ability of managers to perform covered service was reduced

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Did this action occur as a direct result of RSIA hours of service requirements?

(View question)

  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 2 5 7
Class 2 2 12 14
Class 3 54 97 151

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, were the changes directly resulting from the RSIA hours of service requirements?

(View question)

  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 0 0 0 0 2 2
Class 2 0 0 2 0 0 2
Class 3 7 12 16 12 4 51

Time required for record keeping or record keeping review increased

(View question)

Did this action occur as a direct result of RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 7 0 7
Class 2 10 4 14
Class 3 115 37 152

If yes, how much of an operational burden, if at all, were the changes directly resulting from the RSIA hours of service requirements?

(View question)

  Very great burden Substantial burden Moderate burden
 Some burden
Little or no
burden		 Number of respondents
Class 1 1 0 3 3 0 7
Class 2 3 2 4 1 0 10
Class 3 18 26 43 14 10 111

9. What other actions are occurring as a direct result of the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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data intentionally not reported

10. Did your railroad incur any financial costs from the following as a direct result of changes made because of RSIA hours of service requirements?

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Changed train schedules

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  Yes, financial
costs incurred		 No financial
costs incurred 		Don't know

Number of respondents
Class 1 4 2 1 7
Class 2 3 11 0 14
Class 3 51 100 1 152

Changed crew schedules

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  Yes, financial
costs incurred		 No financial
costs incurred 		Don't know

Number of respondents
Class 1 5 2 0 7
Class 2 5 9 0 14
Class 3 76 76 0 152

Changed crew calling system

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  Yes, financial
costs incurred		 No financial
costs incurred 		Don't know

Number of respondents
Class 1 7 0 0 7
Class 2 5 8 0 13
Class 3 39 108 2 149

Brought furloughed covered train and engine (T&E) employees back in service

(View question)

  Yes, financial
costs incurred		 No financial
costs incurred 		Don't know

Number of respondents
Class 1 5 2 0 7
Class 2 6 8 0 14
Class 3 18 131 0 149

Placed employees on furlough

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  Yes, financial
costs incurred		 No financial
costs incurred 		Don't know

Number of respondents
Class 1 1 6 0 7
Class 2 0 14 0 14
Class 3 1 147 1 149

Hired new T&E covered employees

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  Yes, financial
costs incurred		 No financial
costs incurred 		Don't know

Number of respondents
Class 1 5 2 0 7
Class 2 7 7 0 14
Class 3 54 95 0 149

Began or enhanced methods to assess employee fatigue

(View question)

  Yes, financial
costs incurred		 No financial
costs incurred 		Don't know

Number of respondents
Class 1 5 1 1 7
Class 2 0 13 1 14
Class 3 8 127 14 149

Reduced reliance on managers to perform covered services

(View question)

  Yes, financial
costs incurred		 No financial
costs incurred 		Don't know

Number of respondents
Class 1 2 5 0 7
Class 2 3 11 0 14
Class 3 34 112 2 148

Paid wages or other compensation for guaranteed hours not worked

(View question)

  Yes, financial
costs incurred		 No financial
costs incurred 		Don't know

Number of respondents
Class 1 3 3 1 7
Class 2 3 10 1 14
Class 3 31 116 3 150

Introduced or revised hours of service records or record keeping system

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  Yes, financial
costs incurred		 No financial
costs incurred 		Don't know

Number of respondents
Class 1 7 0 0 7
Class 2 12 2 0 14
Class 3 88 59 3 150

11. Did you hire or bring back from furlough any new T&E covered employees as a direct result of the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 5 2 7
Class 2 7 7 14
Class 3 46 106 152

12. How many new T&E covered employees were hired or brought back from furlough as a direct result of the RSIA hours of service requirements?

Newly hired or brought back from furlough T&E covered employees

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  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 305 300 120 500 4
Class 2 18 20 5 40 7
Class 3 5 4 1 30 45

13. On average, what are the annual wage and benefit costs for the new covered T&E employees hired or brought back from furlough as a direct result of the RSIA hours of services requirements?

Average wages and benefits of new covered T&E employees and employees brought back from furlough

(View question)

  Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
Class 1 1,263,750 95,000 65,000 4,800,000 4
Class 2 340,139 75,910 60 1,550,000 7
Class 3 99,282 70,000 14 378,000 41

14. Did you have direct costs associated with hiring and training the newly hired or brought back from furlough T&E covered employees?

(View question)

  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 5 0 5
Class 2 6 1 7
Class 3 42 3 45

15. What types of direct costs associated with hiring and training the newly hired or brought back from furlough T&E covered employees did your railroad incur?

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data intentionally not reported

16. How much of an operational impact, if any, have the following RSIA hours of service requirements had on your railroad?

(View question)

276-hour monthly cap

(View question)

  Very great impact Substantial impact Moderate impact Small impact
 No impact
Don't know
Number of respondents
Class 1 0 0 2 4 1 0 7
Class 2 1 1 2 0 10 0 14
Class 3 6 5 16 16 108 1 152

10-hour undisturbed rest period

(View question)

  Very great impact Substantial impact Moderate impact Small impact
 No impact
Don't know
Number of respondents
Class 1 1 5 0 1 0 0 7
Class 2 4 4 1 4 1 0 14
Class 3 23 23 30 30 46 0 152

Crew schedule changes

(View question)

  Very great impact Substantial impact Moderate impact Small impact
 No impact
Don't know
Number of respondents
Class 1 0 3 2 1 1 0 7
Class 2 1 4 1 2 6 0 14
Class 3 24 24 34 24 45 0 151

Limbo or deadhead time monthly cap

(View question)

  Very great impact Substantial impact Moderate impact Small impact
 No impact
Don't know
Number of respondents
Class 1 0 1 1 5 0 0 7
Class 2 1 1 2 0 10 0 14
Class 3 2 4 7 11 126 1 151

17. Did the following increase, stay the same, or decrease as a direct result of the RSIA hours of service requirements?

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Number of covered T&E employees

(View question)

  Increased Stayed same Decreased Don't know Not applicable Number of respondents
Class 1 5 2 0 0 0 7
Class 2 8 6 0 0 0 14
Class 3 60 89 1 1 2 153

Number of crew starts

(View question)

  Increased Stayed same Decreased Don't know Not applicable Number of respondents
Class 1 2 4 0 1 0 7
Class 2 6 5 3 0 0 14
Class 3 47 79 21 0 5 152

Size of crew pools

(View question)

  Increased Stayed same Decreased Don't know Not applicable Number of respondents
Class 1 4 3 0 0 0 7
Class 2 2 4 0 1 7 14
Class 3 34 76 6 0 37 153

Size of extra boards

(View question)

  Increased Stayed same Decreased Don't know Not applicable Number of respondents
Class 1 5 2 0 0 0 7
Class 2 9 3 1 1 0 14
Class 3 38 42 6 0 67 153

Use of extra boards

(View question)

  Increased Stayed same Decreased Don't know Not applicable Number of respondents
Class 1 4 3 0 0 0 7
Class 2 8 6 0 0 0 14
Class 3 42 36 5 0 70 153

Claims for missed work opportunities or compensation

(View question)

  Increased Stayed same Decreased Don't know Not applicable Number of respondents
Class 1 5 1 0 0 1 7
Class 2 6 8 0 0 0 14
Class 3 22 48 1 1 80 152

Hours or days at away-from-home terminals

(View question)

  Increased Stayed same Decreased Don't know Not applicable Number of respondents
Class 1 6 1 0 0 0 7
Class 2 4 2 0 1 7 14
Class 3 10 31 0 0 112 153

Number of shifts for yard crews

(View question)

  Increased Stayed same Decreased Don't know Not applicable Number of respondents
Class 1 1 4 2 0 0 7
Class 2 3 10 1 0 0 14
Class 3 24 82 14 0 33 153

Delays in performing scheduled signal system maintenance

(View question)

  Increased Stayed same Decreased Don't know Not applicable Number of respondents
Class 1 0 6 0 1 0 7
Class 2 4 8 0 1 1 14
Class 3 21 73 0 6 51 151

Amount of undisturbed rest for employees

(View question)

  Increased Stayed same Decreased Don't know Not applicable Number of respondents
Class 1 7 0 0 0 0 7
Class 2 12 2 0 0 0 14
Class 3 77 59 2 2 13 153

Number of signal system trouble calls handled

(View question)

  Increased Stayed same Decreased Don't know Not applicable Number of respondents
Class 1 0 6 0 0 1 7
Class 2 0 12 0 1 1 14
Class 3 5 93 3 9 42 152

18. Does your railroad have a written safety risk reduction program that includes a fatigue risk management plan?

(View question)

  Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
Class 1 4 1 2 7
Class 2 0 9 5 14
Class 3 13 110 29 152

19. Does your railroad have or use biomathematical tools (such as fatigue models) to analyze or assess the risk of fatigue for covered T&E employees?

(View question)

  Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
Class 1 4 2 1 7
Class 2 0 11 3 14
Class 3 4 124 25 153

Federal Role in RSIA Hours of Service Requirements

20. Has the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) inspected or audited your railroads' hours of service records or recordkeeping system since the hours of service requirements covering freight railroads took effect on July 16, 2009?

(View question)

  Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
Class 1 7 0 0 7
Class 2 5 5 3 13
Class 3 93 50 9 152

21. Has your railroad experienced any change in the HOS material inspected or audited as a direct result of the hours of services requirements covering freight railroads that took effect on July 16, 2009?

(View question)

  Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
Class 1 4 1 2 7
Class 2 0 4 1 5
Class 3 26 62 3 91

22. What changes in hours of service records inspections or in the material inspected or audited has your railroad experienced?

(View question)

data intentionally not reported

23. Did you receive the following types of assistance from FRA in preparation for the implementation of hours of service requirements?

(View question)

In-person meeting with FRA official

(View question)

  Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
Class 1 6 1 0 7
Class 2 8 6 0 14
Class 3 65 76 11 152

FRA presentation or training provided at an organization conference or meeting

(View question)

  Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
Class 1 1 5 1 7
Class 2 6 8 0 14
Class 3 82 65 6 153

Response from FRA official to a direct request for clarification

(View question)

  Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
Class 1 6 1 0 7
Class 2 10 3 0 13
Class 3 81 61 11 153

24. Which of the following additional steps, if any, would you like FRA to take in relation to hours of service requirements?

(View question)

Assist in developing an electronic record keeping system that functions within the regulatory requirements

(View question)

  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 3 4 7
Class 2 4 10 14
Class 3 65 86 151

Provide a Help desk function to answer questions

(View question)

  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 3 3 6
Class 2 7 7 14
Class 3 74 77 151

Provide training at a federal or nonfederal facility

(View question)

  Yes No Number of respondents
Class 1 5 2 7
Class 2 4 9 13
Class 3 73 78 151

25. Are you ready to submit your final completed survey to GAO?
(This is equivalent to mailing a completed paper survey to us. It tells us that your answers are official and final.)

(View question)

  Yes, my survey is complete - To submit your final responses, please click on "Exit" below" No, my survey is not yet complete - To save your responses for later, please click on "Exit" below" Number of respondents
Class 1 7 0 7
Class 2 14 0 14
Class 3 163 0 163

You may view and print your completed survey by clicking on the Summary link in the menu to the left.

(View question)