49 CFR § 220.307 - Use of railroad-supplied electronic devices.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s220.307"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 220.307 - Use of railroad-supplied electronic devices."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "220.307"
section_name: "Use of railroad-supplied electronic devices."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "220"
part_name: "RAILROAD COMMUNICATIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 20102-20103, 20103 note, 20107, 21301-21302, 20701-20703, 21304, 21311; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "63 FR 47195, Sept. 4, 1998, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "220"
---
# 220.307 Use of railroad-supplied electronic devices.
(a) *General restriction.* A railroad operating employee may use a railroad-supplied electronic device only for an authorized business purpose as specified by the railroad in writing. An authorized business purpose involving the taking of a photograph or video must be approved by FRA. A railroad subject to this subpart must submit to FRA's Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety/Chief Safety Officer a document specifying in writing the authorized business purpose(s) involving the taking of a photograph or video for which a railroad-supplied electronic device may be used by the carrier's railroad operating employees.
(b) *Use by locomotive engineers operating controls.* A locomotive engineer operating the controls of a train shall not use a railroad-supplied electronic device—
(1) When on a moving train;
(2) When any member of the crew is—
(i) On the ground, or
(ii) Riding rolling equipment during a switching operation; or
(3) When any railroad employee is assisting in preparation of the train for movement.
(c) *Use in freight and passenger locomotive cabs generally.* In addition to the restrictions on locomotive engineers described in paragraph (b) of this section, a railroad operating employee who is not in deadhead status shall not use a railroad-supplied electronic device in the cab of a controlling locomotive unless—
(1) A safety briefing that includes all crewmembers is held; and
(2) All crewmembers agree that it is safe to use the device.
(d) *Use outside freight locomotive cabs.* A freight train crewmember who is not in deadhead status may use a railroad-supplied electronic device outside the cab of a controlling freight locomotive only if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The crewmember is not fouling a track; and
(2) All crewmembers agree it is safe to use the device.