NTSB Chair criticizes flawed locomotive camera rule, excludes freight railroads.
Passenger Railroads Required to Install Video Recorders, Excluding Freight Trains
In a new rule announced on Thursday, passenger railroads across the country will now be mandated to install video recorders inside their locomotives. However, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) criticized the rule, pointing out that it excludes freight trains like the one that derailed and caught fire in eastern Ohio earlier this year.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) did not directly address the criticism but stated that the 2015 law passed by Congress only required regulators to establish a rule for passenger railroads. Many freight railroads, including major ones handling the majority of shipments nationwide, have voluntarily installed cameras, starting with outward-facing ones and later adding cameras showing the crews’ actions.
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While cameras are more common on larger railroads, smaller railroads have fewer installations. According to the American Short Line and Railroad Association, only a few short-line railroads have cameras, and most of them are outward-facing.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed her dissatisfaction with the new rule, stating that the FRA’s belief that the cost outweighs the safety benefits is an insult to communities affected by rail disasters. She highlighted the lack of federal standards for freight train cameras, citing the limited 20-minute footage available from the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine.
Ms. Homendy emphasized the need for standardized hours of data preservation after accidents and criticized the new rule for not requiring audio recordings inside locomotive cabs.
The NTSB recommended the installation of cameras in locomotives in 2010 following its investigation of the deadly 2008 collision in Chatsworth, California. The crash resulted in 25 fatalities and over 100 injuries. The NTSB believes that cameras would have been beneficial in numerous other accidents, especially when the train crew is unable to recall crucial details.
Congress responded to the Chatsworth collision by mandating the development and installation of an automatic braking system, which took over a decade and approximately $15 billion to complete. Cell phone use by train operators was also banned. The 2015 law further required regulators to consider locomotive video recorders for passenger trains.
Amtrak committed to installing cameras on its trains after a fatal crash in Philadelphia in 2015. The new rule will extend the requirement to all intercity commuter and passenger trains.
“While video recorders cannot directly prevent accidents, they help maintain a higher standard of safety,” stated FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “In addition, these devices play a vital role in post-accident investigations, providing valuable evidence that helps us understand the circumstances leading to the accident and take appropriate action to prevent similar accidents in the future.”
What insights can video footage provide in understanding accidents and identifying safety risks in all types of trains, including freight trains?
R Homendy expressed her concern about the exclusion of freight trains from the video recorder mandate. She highlighted the importance of having this critical safety measure in place for all trains, regardless of the type of service they provide. Homendy emphasized that accidents can occur on any type of train, and it is essential to have video evidence to investigate and determine the causes of these incidents.
The NTSB has been advocating for the installation of video recorders on all trains, including freight trains, for years. They believe that video footage can provide valuable insights into accidents and help identify potential safety risks and issues. Video recordings can capture crucial moments leading up to an accident, such as crew actions, equipment malfunctions, or track conditions, which can be instrumental in understanding the sequence of events.
The exclusion of freight trains from the video recorder mandate raises questions about the overall goal of ensuring rail safety. While passenger railroads undoubtedly carry a significant number of passengers, freight trains also play a crucial role in our economy by transporting goods across the country. Neglecting to implement safety measures on freight trains could potentially lead to devastating accidents and economic disruptions.
The FRA’s response that the 2015 law only mandated a rule for passenger railroads seems insufficient. It is essential for regulators to consider the broader context of rail transportation safety and take necessary actions to address potential risks across all types of trains. The voluntary installation of cameras by some freight railroads is a positive step, but it should not be seen as an alternative to a comprehensive regulatory mandate.
Inadequate safety measures can have severe consequences. The recent derailment and fire in eastern Ohio serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers involved in railroad transportation. By excluding freight trains from the video recorder mandate, we are leaving a significant gap in our ability to prevent accidents and mitigate risks effectively.
In conclusion, the requirement for passenger railroads to install video recorders in locomotives is a step towards improving safety. However, the exclusion of freight trains raises concerns about the comprehensive implementation of safety measures across the entire rail industry. It is crucial for regulators and policymakers to address this disparity and ensure that all trains, regardless of their type, are equipped with video recording devices. By doing so, we can enhance our ability to prevent accidents, protect lives, and maintain the integrity of our rail system.
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