HF 4163

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to railroads; regulating remote-control operation of train over highway
intersections and bridges and near international border; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2004, section 219.383, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, 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 public crossing at grade, 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