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As a railroad employee living and working in Nevada, it is important that I discuss HR 1763, the Safe Freight Act, introduced by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska).
This important legislation would require freight trains to be operated by at least two individuals — a certified conductor and a certified engineer.
While almost all freight trains are operated by two-person crews, some rogue operators have begun operating with a single crew member. On July 6, 2013, an unattended freight train carrying 72 tank cars of crude oil derailed and exploded in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, killing 47 people and destroying much of the town. The train rolled away from its parked position because the single crew member could not properly secure it alone.
The safety benefits of having two crew members on board are not limited to parking a train.
Engineers and conductors are each responsible for a long list of unique duties, most of which must be carried out simultaneously. Consolidating these responsibilities to one individual would only exacerbate the most crucial safety issue facing the rail industry today: high levels of fatigue among operating employees. This could result in additional train accidents.
Two-person crews not only help prevent potential accidents or derailments, but also play a crucial role in mitigating emergency situations when they do occur.
Positive Train Control (PTC), while an important safety technology, cannot replace the vital role of a second crew member.
Lastly, no one would approve of a commercial airliner being operated by one pilot, even though a plane can fly itself. Freight trains, which cannot drive themselves, should be treated no differently.
The writer is chairman and director of the SMART Transportation Division of the Nevada State Legislative Board.
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