In a letter dated May 26, 2016, to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), SMART TD National Legislative Director John Risch brought attention to the fact that some railroads are requiring needless radio broadcasts to the already-congested radio airways, which caused a derailment and loss of life in the case of the May 2015 Amtrak crash.
“Places where there is too much radio traffic impairs the ability of train crew members to communicate effectively with roadway workers, dispatchers and other train crews causing safety issues,” Risch wrote. “We have reports from members who say they have lost situational awareness because of the constant blaring of the locomotive radio and I can attest that it has happened to me.”
Click here to read Risch’s letter to the FRA in its entirety.
Related News
- Led by SMART-TD, Kansas Makes Railroad History
- Andrew Fudge Wins SMART-TD Endorsement in Oregon House Race
- Federal Court Upholds 2-PC
- Registration for Baltimore RTS Closes on Monday!
- Untimely Passing Leaves Conductor’s Family in a Difficult Financial Situation
- SMART-TD Wins Landmark BNSF Arbitration Protecting Members’ Right to Rest
- Critical Bus Operator Safety Legislation Results from Years of Advocacy
- Maryland Legislature Finishes the Job on 2-PC
- CLARIFICATION: How to Apply for Disaster Relief Following the Washington State Wildfires
- The fearmongering, speculation, and rhetoric stop now