STB moves to solidify reporting rules

The Surface Transportation Board said it will implement new regulations regarding the railroads’ submission of weekly performance data.    The Surface Transportation Board is working to make its reporting requirement for all Class I railroads more permanent.
   In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the STB said it will implement new regulations regarding the submission of weekly performance data. Railroads have been submitting such data since late October.  
   “The collection of performance data on a weekly basis would allow the Board not only to better understand current service issues, but also to more quickly identify and help resolve possible future regional or national service disruptions,” the board said in a statement. “Transparency would also benefit rail shippers and stakeholders by helping them to better plan operations and make informed decisions based on publicly available, near real-time data, and their own analysis of performance trends over time.”
   For a look at what the carriers have been submitting, read “Checking the Numbers” from the January 2015 edition of American Shipper. 
   In other STB news, David Elliott has officially stepped down as chairman, ending his term as the head of the agency. Deb Miller has been selected as the acting chairman, awaiting President Barack Obama’s official designation. Ann Begeman has been selected as vice chairman.