The Overlooked Dangers: Hazardous Remote-Controlled Trains & Legislative Hurdles
Congress Pushes for Regulations, Unwittingly Leaves a Loophole
In the wake of harrowing incidents, Congress is fiercely advocating for regulations that dictate specific crew sizes on trains. Oddly enough, though, the proposed legislation neglects to address remote-controlled locomotives (RCLs) transporting perilous substances like noxious gases and caustic fluids without certified engineers aboard.
Enterprises such as Union Pacific employ RCLs for brief treks within bustling urban zones like Houston, Denver, and Tucson. The Railway Safety Act of 2023, curiously, omits these trains due to exemptions, including those covering trains venturing less than 30 miles from their origin.
A Curious Case: Unlicensed Operators and Remote Joysticks
For a staggering twenty years, Union Pacific has utilized laborers lacking licensed engineer or conductor qualifications to maneuver these trains via remote joysticks. Contrastingly, these workers receive a mere fortnight of remote operation tutelage, paling in comparison to the half-year or more of instruction for conductors.
As lawmakers from both sides of the aisle endeavor to revamp the rail industry—including mandating two-person crews on long-haul trains—Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have forsaken their pursuit of single-person crews. Nevertheless, the novel legislation disregards segments of the industry that continue to be thinly regulated.
Senator JD Vance, R-Ohio, co-sponsor of the legislation, commented that the emphasis lay on extensive long-haul trains with exceedingly lengthy cars, where the lion’s share of hazardous material transportation complications arise. He also mentioned the legislation’s openness to considering alternatives.
The Unseen Peril: Remote Trains’ Proximity to Homes, Hospitals, and Schools
Operating alarmingly close to residential neighborhoods, hospitals, and educational institutions, remote trains have incited grievances from residents and entrepreneurs alike. The trains’ sluggish passage through crossings and blaring horns disrupt both traffic flow and commercial activities.
Individuals such as Houston business proprietor Efren Gonzalez often remain oblivious to the fact that these trains are remotely operated, despite the presence of signs along the tracks signaling that locomotive cars could be unoccupied.
