[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 94 (Monday, May 15, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31056-31057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12110]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA 2000-7325]


Remote Control Locomotives; Establishing Guidelines

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of technical conference.

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SUMMARY: FRA is initiating a technical conference to examine the use of 
remote control locomotive operations in the railroad industry. FRA 
plans to hold a technical conference on July 19, 2000, to discuss the 
current status of remote operation and possible development of 
guidelines for remote operations with all interested parties. FRA is 
exploring the use of guidelines to provide consistent, safe, industry-
wide remote control locomotive use.

DATES: 1. A technical conference will be held on July 19, 2000, 
beginning at 10 am.
    2. The deadline to register for participation in the technical 
conference is close of business on July 12, 2000. Please see Public 
Participation Procedures in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this 
document for registration details.

ADDRESSES: 1.Technical conference: FRA Headquarters, 7th floor, 
conference rooms 1 and 2, 1120 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington DC.
    2. FRA Docket Clerk: Federal Railroad Administration Docket Clerk, 
Office of Chief Counsel, Mail Stop 10, 1120 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington 
DC, 20590. E-mail address for the FRA Docket Clerk is 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. Joseph Gallant, Operating Practices 
Specialist, FRA Office of Safety, Mail Stop 25, 1120 Vermont Ave. NW, 
Washington DC, 20590 (telephone: 202-493-6324), or Alan H. Nagler, 
Trial Attorney, FRA Office of Chief Counsel, Mail Stop 10, 1120 Vermont 
Ave. NW, Washington DC, 20590 (telephone: 202-493-6055).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Locomotives operated by use of remote control devices have been in 
use for a number of years. The term ``remotely controlled locomotives'' 
or ``remote control locomotives'' refers to a locomotive which, through 
use of a radio transmitter and receiver system, can be operated by a 
person while not physically within the confines of the locomotive cab. 
(As used in this notice, the term ``remote control locomotive'' (RCL) 
does not refer to use of distributive power, in which a locomotive or 
group of locomotives entrained or at the rear of a train is controlled 
by an engineer located in another locomotive within the same consist.) 
Although RCL operations are common place in steel mills, plant 
railroads and Canadian railroad systems, RCL operations have not been 
widely used by American railroads that are part of the general system 
of transportation.
    Arguably, the RCL technology is still relatively new. In 1994, FRA 
proposed a nation-wide test of rail operations involving remotely 
controlled locomotives. 59 FR 59826 (Nov. 18, 1994). FRA published 
proposed interim guidelines for what was intended to be a two-year test 
period. 59 FR 59826, 59828-29 (Nov. 18, 1994). FRA stated that 
guidelines were necessary

to assure that continued use of this new technology does not create 
a safety risk to railroad employees or the public. FRA also does not 
want to hinder the development of new technologies which may be of 
benefit to the rail industry. * * * All railroads using such remote-
control systems will be permitted to continue using such systems 
only if they participate in the long-term test, so that FRA can 
evaluate remote control operations in light of the regulatory and 
statutory obligations imposed upon all railroads.

59 FR at 59827 (Nov. 18, 1994). On February 23, 1995, FRA held a public 
hearing to gather testimony on remote control operating procedures. 
Several manufacturers, labor organizations, railroads and their 
associations participated in the hearing. The testimony provided by 
these organizations revealed a broad spectrum of opinion concerning the 
merits of the program, the substance of the program requirements, the 
risks associated with railroad employees and the safety of the 
technology. While information and opinions gathered at this meeting 
were helpful, FRA never took final agency action to implement 
guidelines and the test program never occurred. Instead, FRA has 
continued to review RCL operations on a case-by-case basis.
    Recently, FRA has become aware of renewed interest in RCL 
operations. This interest has led to an increased number of questions 
concerning FRA's position with respect to those operations and 
particular types of RCL devices. Additionally, RCL technology and 
operating procedures continue to evolve. FRA believes that it would be 
prudent to re-examine the safety issues surrounding RCL operations at 
this time and consider whether to issue guidelines.

Technical Conference

    The purpose of this technical conference is to determine the extent 
of RCL operations, the various purposes for which RCL technology is 
used, and the safety of these operations. FRA will examine all the 
pertinent safety aspects of RCL operations, including: (1) design

[[Page 31057]]

standards, e.g., weight, size and ergonomic considerations; (2) 
employee training, e.g., hands-on training considerations; (3) 
operating practices and procedures, including but not limited to 
standard operating procedures, safety rule modifications, and railroad 
operating plans; (4) test and inspection procedures, including but not 
limited to electric and magnetic field emissions; (5) security and 
reporting issues, including but not limited to recordkeeping and 
notification to FRA concerning all RCL accidents and incidents. FRA 
requests that interested parties share their views regarding the use of 
consistent and safe RCL operations. FRA encourages comments on all 
aspects of RCL use. A transcript of the technical conference will be 
taken and placed in the public docket of this proceeding.

Public Participation Procedures

    Any person wishing to participate in the technical conference 
should notify the FRA Docket Clerk by mail or by e-mail by close of 
business on July 12, 2000. The notification of intent to participate 
should identify the organization, the person represents (if any), the 
names of all participants from that organization planning to 
participate, and a phone number at which the registrant can be reached. 
FRA reserves the right to limit active conference participation to 
those persons who have registered in advance.

(Authority: 49 U.S.C. 103, 20103-04, 20106-08, 20135 and 20701-03)

    Issued in Washington, DC on May 9, 2000.
George Gavalla,
Associate Administrator for Safety.
[FR Doc. 00-12110 Filed 5-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P