HR 661: Federal Railroad Administration; deny CSX's request to become the first railroad to use Trip Optimizer's Zero-to-Zero feature; urge

This resolution addresses a request CSX has made to the Federal Railroad Administration to become the first railroad allowed to use a feature called Zero-to-Zero, part of its Trip Optimizer cruise-control system. That feature would let onboard computers automatically start and stop trains, including movement from a complete stop up to nine miles per hour, without an engineer manually operating the controls. The resolution states that Zero-to-Zero has only been tested on about a quarter of CSX's rail network and raises concerns that reliance on automated braking could reduce the skills of both new and experienced engineers, and that existing Trip Optimizer systems already malfunction daily in ways that can cause train separation, blocked crossings, and derailments. The House formally asks the Federal Railroad Administration to deny CSX's request. As a resolution rather than a bill, it does not change Georgia law; it expresses the House's position and directs copies to be distributed to the public and press.

• Formally urges the Federal Railroad Administration, a federal agency, to deny CSX's application to use the Zero-to-Zero automated start-stop feature.
• States the House's position that automated systems should not replace an engineer's manual control of train brakes.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Does not create any new Georgia law, penalty, or funding; it is a statement of legislative opinion directed at a federal regulator.

CSX and its train engineers and conductors, the Federal Railroad Administration, which decides whether to approve the request, and communities near CSX rail lines in Georgia who could be affected by train safety incidents such as derailments or blocked crossings.

If the Federal Railroad Administration follows the House's request, CSX would not be allowed to test or use the Zero-to-Zero feature, keeping train starting and stopping under direct engineer control. If the request is denied, it could also slow the broader rollout of automated train operation technology.

• The whereas clauses describe CSX's pending application to the Federal Railroad Administration to use Zero-to-Zero, a feature of the Trip Optimizer cruise-control system.
• The resolution notes Zero-to-Zero has been tested on only about 25 percent of CSX's territory, which it says leaves unanswered safety questions.
• It references the Federal Railroad Administration's 2024 rule requiring two-person train crews on most trains.
• The resolved clause formally urges the Federal Railroad Administration to deny CSX's request to use the feature for automated starting and stopping between zero and nine miles per hour.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press.

1. 2025-03-25House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-21House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-20House Hopper (House)

• Dewey McClain (D, HD-109)Primary sponsor
• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)
• Kimberly Alexander (D, HD-66)
• Rhonda Taylor (D, HD-92)
• Long Tran (D, HD-80)
• Arlene Beckles (D, HD-96)

• rail safety
• CSX
• train automation
• Federal Railroad Administration