BLE Focus

Summer 2000
Volume 107 - No. 2

BLE Focus

The Issues: Remote Control

Remote control is control of a locomotive from a location other than the locomotive cab. Remote control of locomotives from a mobile controller, known by one manufacturer as "beltpack," has recently reappeared on FRA's agenda. This issue has come and gone several times and has significant implications for all operating employees. FRA held a "Technical Conference" on July 19 to explore the possible development of guidelines for the use of remote control locomotives.

Remote control technology is not new - locomotive engineers have operated remote control locomotives for years in the form of distributive power. In addition, the steel and mining industries have been using remote control locomotives in small, enclosed plant facilities for over 40 years. Although limited in terms of numbers, its use is international in scope.

There are six major manufacturers of the remote control systems. The most active is CANAC, located in Canada and just recently in the U.S. It was through CANAC's parent company, the Canadian National Railway (CN), that the most extensive use of remote control beltpack operation has developed. The CN beltpack workforce is represented by the United Transportation Union (UTU), who operate over 100 of the remote control locomotives in Canada.

In the past, FRA has addressed "outside the cab" remote control locomotive operation by offering a test program. There was only limited industry interest and FRA never followed through on its test program. Also, in December of 1996, FRA held hearings on the Wisconsin Central's proposed use of remote control and one-person operations.

Update

Despite the numerous problems remote control locomotive operations present, tremendous pressure is being applied on FRA by Class I carriers and short line railroads alike - and by manufacturers of the technology - to issue guidelines. However, remote control operations can be inefficient, expensive to implement and maintain, unsafe, and place a tremendous physical burden on the operator of the equipment.

Shortly before the FRA's Technical Conference, the BLE and the UTU agreed to jointly develop a proposal on substantive provisions designed to ensure the safety of employees represented by both unions, and to limit the use of remote control to those operations currently existing. The two unions are sharing all available data, research and other work already done individually in developing a common position through consensus.

Each union produced witnesses with experience operating remote control locomotives. Their testimony provided serious challenges to any railroad implementing those operations. Among the issues were the ergonomic risk factors associated with a locomotive controller, carried around the waist, while also performing dangerous work on railroad equipment.

There are known physical problems caused by static loads on the body. Safety concerns increase when a locomotive controller that is safety-critical in train movement is the object being carried. Concern also was expressed over exposure to the emission of electromagnetic fields from the transmitter. And actual data provided by the unions contradicted the sparse and highly selective presentation made by the Canadian railways.

What's In Store?

At press time, FRA had neither issued any formal report on the Technical Conference, nor scheduled any additional proceedings to further address the issue. The BLE hopes that the coalition will continue to work to achieve the joint goals of improving safety and restricting the use of this technology.

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