Economy

Safety Advisory 2023-03; Accident Mitigation and Train Length

This version of the Safety Advisory posted on FRA’s website is not intended to constitute the official published notice. This version was submitted for publication on April 27, 2023, and the official notice will be published in the Federal Register in the near future. The published version may appear slightly different than this website posting, due to formatting requirements and non-substantive editorial changes.

4910-06-P

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration Safety Advisory 2023-03;

Accident Mitigation and Train Length

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

ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory.

SUMMARY: Freight train length has increased in recent years, and while research is ongoing related to operational aspects of long trains, including brake system performance, it is known that the in-train forces longer trains experience are generally stronger and more complex than those in shorter train consists. FRA is issuing this Safety Advisory to ensure railroads and railroad employees are aware of the potential complexities associated with operating longer trains and to ensure they take appropriate measures to address those complexities to ensure the safe operation of such trains. Among other things, this Safety Advisory recommends that railroads review their operating rules and existing locomotive engineer certification programs to address operational complexities of train length, take appropriate action to prevent the loss of communications between end-of-train devices, and mitigate the impacts of long trains on blocked crossings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christian Holt, Staff Director, Operating Practices Division, Office of Railroad Safety, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590, telephone (202) 366-0978.

Disclaimer: This Safety Advisory is considered guidance pursuant to DOT Order 2100.6A (June 7, 2021). Except when referencing laws, regulations, policies, or orders, the information in this Safety Advisory does not have the force and effect of law and is not binding in any way. This document does not review or replace any previously issued guidance.

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April 27, 2023 | Regulatory

FRA Safety Advisory: ‘Train Length a Critical Factor’

Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief

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The Federal Railroad Administration on April 27 issued Safety Advisory 2023-03, Accident Mitigation and Train Length, “to increase awareness of the potential complexities associated with operating longer trains, and push railroads to take appropriate measures to address those complexities to ensure safety.” Building on FRA Safety Advisory 2023-02 (issued April 10), which was focused primarily on train makeup, the new notice “also makes clear that train length, just like train makeup, is a critical factor to consider when building any train,” FRA said.

Safety Advisory 2023-03 cites three incidents involving trains with more than 200 cars, a length of 12,250 feet or more, and a weight of more than 17,000 trailing tons—Springfield, Ohio, March 4, 2023 (Norfolk Southern); Ravenna, Ohio, Nov. 1, 2022 (NS); and Rockwell, Iowa, March 24, 2022 (Union Pacific). Its eight recommendations include “proactive steps to prevent future accidents, such as identifying changes to crew training; train handling procedures; train makeup; distributed power unit (DPU) requirements; limitations to length or tonnage; speed restrictions; track, mechanical, and brake inspection; and maintenance requirements necessary to ensure safe operations of longer trains. Also included are recommendations that railroads use due diligence and provide complete data and detailed information after an incident occurs to understand the factors leading to and the consequences of an accident.”

Additionally, FRA highlighted “numerous potential safety risks associated with blocked crossings, particularly how a stopped train or long train can impede the ability of first responders to assist individuals in need.”

FRA noted this version of the Safety Advisory (downloadable below) “is not intended to constitute the official published notice. This version was submitted for publication on April 27, 2023, and the official notice will be published in the Federal Register in the near future. The published version may appear slightly different than this one, due to formatting requirements and non-substantive editorial changes.”

Editor’s Comment: Interestingly, while FRA Associate Administrator for Safety and Chief Safety Officer Karl Alexy signed Safety Advisory 2023-02, Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose signed 2023-03. According to one experienced railroader well-versed in Safety Advisories, it is highly unusual for the Administrator, rather than a member of FRA’s professional staff, to sign and issue one. – William C. Vantuono

Safety-Advisory-2023-03 Download

Tags: Breaking News, Federal Railroad Administration, FRA