49 CFR § 232.503 - Process to introduce new brake system technology.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s232.503"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 232.503 - Process to introduce new brake system technology."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "232.503"
section_name: "Process to introduce new brake system technology."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "232"
part_name: "BRAKE SYSTEM SAFETY STANDARDS FOR FREIGHT AND OTHER NON-PASSENGER TRAINS AND EQUIPMENT; END-OF-TRAIN DEVICES"
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, 20107, 20133, 20141, 20301-20303, 20306, 21301-20302, 21304; 28 U.S.C. 2461, note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "66 FR 4193, Jan. 17, 2001, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "232"
---


# 232.503 Process to introduce new brake system technology.

(a) Pursuant to the procedures contained in § 232.17, each railroad shall obtain special approval from the FRA Associate Administrator for Safety of a pre-revenue service acceptance testing plan, developed pursuant to § 232.505, for the new brake system technology, prior to implementing the plan.

(b) Each railroad shall complete a pre-revenue service demonstration of the new brake system technology in accordance with the approved plan, shall fulfill all of the other requirements prescribed in § 232.505, and shall obtain special approval from the FRA Associate Administrator for Safety under the procedures of § 232.17 prior to using such brake system technology in revenue service.