A new federal rule mandates that passenger railroads across the United States install video recorders inside their locomotives. However, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has criticized this rule, pointing out that it excludes freight trains from the requirement, which has raised concerns about safety.
The rule, set by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), stipulates that video cameras must be installed in passenger trains to capture both the actions of the train crew and the view from the front of these trains. The aim is to enhance safety and provide valuable evidence for post-accident investigations.
FRA spokesman Warren Flatau noted that the omission of freight trains from the rule was due to a 2015 congressional mandate, which only required regulators to establish a rule for passenger railroads. Nevertheless, many freight railroads, including major carriers responsible for a significant portion of national shipments, have voluntarily installed cameras, starting with outward-facing ones and later adding crew action cameras. However, smaller railroads, particularly short-line railroads, have been slower to adopt this technology.
The NTSB’s Chair, Jennifer Homendy, expressed strong criticism of the FRA’s rule, emphasizing that the cost considerations “could outweigh the safety benefits.” Homendy pointed to incidents involving both freight and freight-passenger rail, stating that the lack of federal standards for these cameras and insufficient data preservation after an accident hinder investigations and safety improvements.
Furthermore, Homendy noted that the rule fails to require audio recordings inside locomotive cabs, an important aspect for comprehensive accident investigations. The NTSB had recommended the addition of locomotive cameras in 2010 after the investigation of a fatal 2008 collision involving a Metrolink commuter train and a Union Pacific freight train.
The NTSB emphasized that such cameras would have proven useful in numerous other accidents where train crews were incapacitated or unable to recall vital details. For example, in the 2008 Metrolink collision, it was discovered that the train engineer had been using a cell phone to send and receive text messages before the accident, which could have been identified with the assistance of video recordings.
This new rule will require cameras on all intercity commuter and passenger trains, further advancing safety standards in the railroad industry. While video recorders cannot prevent accidents directly, they are a crucial tool for investigations and maintaining higher safety standards. The rule’s implementation aims to enhance rail safety and reduce the risk of accidents while providing valuable post-accident evidence.