Tag

Railroad Safety

All articles tagged with #railroad safety

transportation-safety1 year ago•15 min saved

"100-Ton Autonomous Locomotive Unveiled"

A series of accidents involving remote-control locomotives, including a boy losing his leg in Buffalo, has prompted a federal review of the technology. These trains, controlled by operators who may be far from the train, are increasingly used outside rail yards, raising safety concerns. Despite claims of improved safety records, the lack of onboard engineers and visibility issues have led to fatal accidents and injuries, sparking demands for stricter safety measures and better technology.

via Yahoo! Voices|

#federal-review #pedestrian-injuries #railroad-safety

transportation1 year ago•4 min saved

"Federal Mandate: Freight Trains Required to Maintain Two-Person Crews for Safety"

The Federal Railroad Administration has finalized a new rule requiring major freight railroads to maintain two-person crews on most routes, a move supported by rail unions for safety and job concerns. The rule comes after a fiery derailment in Ohio in 2023, but the industry argues that crew size should be determined by contract talks, not regulators. The Transportation Secretary and unions emphasize the importance of two-person crews, while the industry challenges the necessity of the regulation.

via ABC News|

#federal-rule #freight-railroads #railroad-safety

transportation1 year ago•4 min saved

"New Federal Rule Mandates 2-Person Crews for Freight Railroads"

The Transportation Department’s Federal Railroad Administration has finalized a new rule requiring major freight railroads to maintain two-person crews on most routes, following intense focus on railroad safety after a fiery derailment in Ohio. Rail unions have long opposed one-person crews due to safety and job concerns, and the new rule marks a milestone in their fight to preserve two-person crews. While railroads argue that crew size should be determined by contract talks, the rule aims to ensure trains are safely staffed, with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasizing the importance of having at least two crew members on board for large freight trains.

via The Associated Press|

#federal-rule #freight-railroads #railroad-safety

transportation2 years ago•3 min saved

Train Derailment in Romulus Prompts Evacuations and Road Closures

A train derailment in Romulus, Michigan, caused the evacuation of two schools and blocked roads in the area. The 97-car train derailed 14 cars, but there were no leaks or spills, and no immediate threat to public health. Most of the derailed cars were empty, and one car carrying molten sulfur was empty at the time of the incident. The cause of the derailment is unknown, and legislators are calling for stricter railroad safety laws and increased investment in infrastructure.

via Detroit Free Press|

#infrastructure #railroad-safety #romulus

transportation2 years ago•3 min saved

Union Pacific Under Fire for Endangering Rail Safety

Union Pacific, the largest freight railroad carrier in the US, has been criticized by federal regulators for poor maintenance of its trains, furloughing maintenance workers, and pressuring inspectors to prioritize freight movement over safety. Inspections revealed that over 70% of train engines and 20% of cars had safety defects, twice the national average. The company has been accused of lacking urgency in addressing these issues. The safety record of the railroad industry is under scrutiny, with recent accidents and derailments. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been urging rail companies to participate in a voluntary safety program, but the industry has resisted. Union Pacific claims safety is its priority and will address the concerns raised in the letter. Labor union leaders attribute the safety problems to the precision scheduled railroading business model.

via ProPublica|

#federal-railroad-administration #freight-rail #maintenance

transportation2 years ago•2 min saved

"Union Pacific Faces Alarming Number of Defects, Federal Inspectors Discover"

Federal inspectors found an alarming number of defects in Union Pacific's locomotives and railcars at its railyard in Nebraska this summer, with defect rates twice the national average. The railroad was reluctant to address the problems, prompting concerns about rail safety. The recent layoffs at Union Pacific were questioned as a potential cause for the lack of repairs, but the company maintains that it has appropriate staffing levels. Railroad safety has been a nationwide concern, but few significant changes have been made.

via KOLN|

#defects #federal-inspectors #locomotives

transportation-safety2 years ago•5 min saved

Ohio Train Derailment Raises Concerns Over Inspection Practices and Potential Health Risks.

Federal regulators sent a letter to Norfolk Southern and other major railroads in September to warn against skirting train inspection rules through using a system known as “ghost tracks.” Union leaders said they repeatedly warned that Norfolk Southern, along with other railroads, were stretching resources increasingly thin in the name of efficiency, putting safety at risk. The NTSB is also reviewing Norfolk Southern’s safety culture.

via The Washington Post|

#national-transportation-safety-board #norfolk-southern #railroad-safety

politics2 years ago•4 min saved

Ohio Senators Unite Across Party Lines in Response to Train Derailment

Sens. Sherrod Brown (D) and JD Vance (R) have put aside their political differences to pass legislation bolstering railroad safety and to ensure residents are not forgotten as they grapple with the damage and dangers left behind by the East Palestine train derailment. The Buckeye State has grown steadily redder during Brown’s time in office, voting for former President Trump twice even as other ancestrally Democratic states like Pennsylvania and Michigan flipped back to Biden in 2020. The progressive senator has handily won reelection twice, but his collaboration with Vance comes ahead of what promises to be a tough battle.

via The Hill|

#bipartisanship #jd-vance #ohio

business2 years ago•8 min saved

Norfolk Southern's Profit Push Compromises Rail Safety, Workers Allege.

Norfolk Southern's safety practices and culture are under federal investigation after a train derailment in Ohio and worker deaths. The company's accident and injury rates have soared in the last decade, with employees and experts blaming cost-cutting measures and pressure to speed up deliveries for profit. Norfolk Southern's workforce has decreased by 39%, while its accident rate has increased by 80%. The company's safety practices and culture are also the subject of a special investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, and Congress has introduced bills to impose tougher safety standards on all railroads.

via The New York Times|

#business #federal-investigation #norfolk-southern

transportation2 years ago•3 min saved

Hazardous Materials Train Derails in Northwestern Arizona

A freight train carrying corn syrup derailed in western Arizona near the California and Nevada border. The train's operator, BNSF, confirmed that no hazardous materials were involved in the derailment. The cause of the accident, which involved around eight train cars, is under investigation. The incident occurred amid concerns about railroad safety following recent train derailments involving toxic chemicals in Ohio.

via The New York Times|

#arizona #bnsf #corn-syrup