---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 11162"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "11162"
heading: "Rail carrier cost accounting system"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/11162"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Interstate Transportation"
  - "Part A — Rail"
  - "Chapter 111 — Operations"
  - "Subchapter IV — Railroad Cost Accounting"
---

# §11162. Rail carrier cost accounting system

- (a) Each [rail carrier](/usc/49/10102.md?p=5) shall have and maintain a cost accounting system that is in compliance with the rules promulgated by the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) under [section 11161 of this title](/usc/49/11161.md). A [rail carrier](/usc/49/10102.md?p=5) may, after notifying the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1), make modifications in such system unless, within 60 days after the date of notification, the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) finds such modifications to be inconsistent with the rules promulgated by the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) under [section 11161 of this title](/usc/49/11161.md).
- (b) For purposes of determining whether the cost accounting system of a [rail carrier](/usc/49/10102.md?p=5) is in compliance with the rules promulgated by the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1), the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) shall have the right to examine and make copies of any documents, papers, or records of such [rail carrier](/usc/49/10102.md?p=5) relating to compliance with such rules. Such documents, papers, and records (and any copies thereof) shall not be subject to the mandatory disclosure requirements of [section 552 of title 5](/usc/5/552.md).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title I, § 102(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 836.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 11164 of this title prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by Pub. L. 104–88, § 102(a).

A prior section 11162, added Pub. L. 96–448, title III, § 302(a), Oct. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 1935; amended Pub. L. 103–272, § 4(j)(30), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1370, related to cost accounting principles, prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by Pub. L. 104–88, § 102(a).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.