Railroad Safety: Engineer Work Shift Length and Schedule Variability

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Railroad Hours of Service Act, focusing on whether: (1) railroads comply with the requirement that employees work no more than 12 continuous hours without a minimum of 10 consecutive hours off duty, and spend at least 8 consecutive hours off duty in a 24-hour period; (2) safety could be improved by amending the act to reduce from 12 to 10 the number of hours that an engineer is allowed to work; and (3) work schedule factors other than the maximum number of hours allowed affect safety.