HF 2537

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to railroads; regulating remote-control operation of trains over highway
intersections and bridges and near international border; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2006, section 219.383, by adding subdivisions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 219.383, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Remote-control operation. new text end

new text begin In accordance with United States Code, title
49, section 20106, a new railway corporation, leasing entity, or operating consortium, or
any new ownership combination of them, that is not a Class I Common Carrier Railroad,
shall not allow the remote-control operation of a railroad locomotive, engine, or other
railroad equipment moving across a multiple-use or multimodal bridge, or moving within
one statute aerial mile of an international border, unless its movement is made by at least
two qualified employees who have been trained and certified as remote-control operators
(RCO's), who are electronically linked to and in control of the same locomotive, who are
propelling the locomotive's movement, and who are on or about the front, and on or about
the rear, of the same movement. To be qualified and certified as an RCO, the operator must
have successfully completed a basic training program approved by the Federal Railroad
Administration in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, sections 240.101
and 240.103. An RCO must also be provided with any additional training that may be
required under Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 240, for other related duties. A
multiple-use or multimodal bridge is defined as a bridge with decking on which railroad
equipment, vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians may travel separately or simultaneously.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 219.383, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Remote-control operation over road. new text end

new text begin All common carrier remote-control
operation of a locomotive, with or without cars coupled, for movement over a public
crossing at grade must be protected by an electronic flasher signal system that has as a
component of design and operation (1) four-quadrant protective gates or (2) a center
median barrier design with standard protective gates.
new text end