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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Waivers, Block Signal Applications, and Other Special Approvals

The Railroad Safety Board (Board) is the administrative body within FRA with the authority to decide waiver petitions, requests to modify or discontinue a railroad signal system (often referred to as “block signal applications”), and certain requests for special approval. Any person, including railroads and other parties subject to FRA’s requirements, may petition FRA for relief from an FRA regulation, order, or standard. 
FRA publishes notices in the Federal Register of incoming requests for waivers and certain other petitions to the Board. These notices provide the assigned public docket number and establish a public comment period on those requests.
FRA evaluates and, as necessary, investigates each incoming request, often including field investigations by FRA inspectors. After the request is investigated and evaluated by subject matter experts, the Board periodically meets to consider the findings and recommendations of those experts and to determine whether granting each request would meet the statutory standard of “in the public interest and consistent with railroad safety” (49 U.S.C. 20103(d)). Documents related to each request, including the Board’s resulting decision letter, can be found online using the relevant public docket number at  Regulations.gov, the public docket system for participating federal government agencies.  

Information Related to the Board and How to Submit Petitions to the Board

Approved Waivers (as of January 30, 2026)

Below, organized by railroad, is a list of approved waivers in effect for each Class I railroad and Amtrak. Expand each dropdown section for additional information, including links to the public docket.

Last updated: Thursday, February 12, 2026