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New FRA reflector rule
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Author:  bobyar2001 [ Tue Jan 04, 2005 2:44 pm ]
Post subject:  New FRA reflector rule
Can someone tell me if this will apply to historic equipment also? I note they did not mention reflectors on the ends of cars, which is where we trainmen need them:

Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Enhanced with New Rule to Make Trains
More Visible to Motorists



Reflective materials will be installed on the sides of locomotives and
freight rail cars as a safety measure to make trains more visible to
motorists at railroad crossings under a Final Rule published by the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) in today's Federal Register.



Nearly one quarter of all highway-rail grade crossing collisions involve
motor vehicles running into trains occupying grade crossings. The large size
and dark colorization of trains in combination with poor lighting or limited
visibility may contribute to motorists having difficulty detecting the train
in their path. The reflective material will help reduce the number and
severity of this type of accident by giving motorists an additional visual
warning of the presence of a train.



Reflectorization has become an indispensable tool for enhancing visibility
and safety in virtually all modes of transportation. Extending the benefits
of reflective materials to railroads will improve highway-rail grade
crossing safety and prevent many avoidable accidents.



The Final Rule on Reflectorization of Rail Freight Rolling Stock requires
railroads to install yellow or white reflective materials on locomotives
over a 5-year timeframe and on freight rail cars over a 10-year period. The
reflective materials will be installed on all newly constructed locomotives
and freight rail cars and on existing ones during periodic maintenance or
repair, unless alternate implementation plans have been developed that meet
the requisite timetables. The effective date of the rule is March 4, 2005.



The Final Rule published today is the most recent effort by FRA to increase
the visibility of trains at highway-rail grade crossings. Previously, FRA
issued a regulation requiring locomotives to have headlamps and auxiliary
lights to help motorists better judge the distance and speed of approaching
trains.



These and many other initiatives of the FRA, the rail industry, states, and
local communities have dramatically improved highway-rail grade crossing
safety. Since 1994, the number of vehicle-train collisions at highway-rail
grade crossings has decreased by 41 percent and the number of fatalities has
been reduced by 47 percent.
Author:  Erik Ledbetter [ Tue Jan 04, 2005 3:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New FRA reflector rule
You can download the final rule and commentary in PDF format here.

http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/p80/310007.pdf

Passenger rolling stock is exempt. I cannot find any exemption in the "Applicability" section for historic freight rolling stock. My casual reading suggests that yes, if you are part of the general system of transportation, this applies!

Disclaimers: I am not a lawyer. Consult professional counsel. Your milage may vary.
Author:  Joshua K. Blay [ Tue Jan 04, 2005 5:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New FRA reflector rule
Don't many railroads do this already, especialy Canadian lines?

Joshua
Author:  CP O'Shea [ Tue Jan 04, 2005 6:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New FRA reflector rule
In reading through the link provided for Erik, there is a passage relating to the process of applying for a waiver from this new regulation. I would assume (I know, not always the best thing to do) this new rule may be viewed in the same manner as other practices are in regard to historic equipment. Of particular note, is that the rule does apply to MOW, as well as freight, equipment.

It probably wouldn't hurt to ask the FRA directly. If they give you a solid answer, the letter stating their position in regard to historic equipment, or approval of a waiver, can be a great asset should an inspector show up on your property with his own interpretation of the new rule. The FRA's website makes it pretty easy to submit inquiries, and they usually respond with a file attachment that prints out in letter format.
Author:  S. Weaver [ Wed Jan 05, 2005 7:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New FRA reflector rule
I haven't read this thing yet. But if there is no exception in the "applicability" section, and one's operation is part of the general system, then, yes, one will need a waiver just like you do for Part 215. The FRA's posture is if one has a freight car and it moves and it is not specifically exempted in some clause, then it is a modern freight car for regulatory puposes. Interchange, etc., has nothing to do with it.
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