Greg Aziz: The Association of American Railroads Outlines Key Class I Safety Actions
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has published a safety action plan for the Class I freight railroads in response to the Department of Transportation’s 2017 Emergency Order on Safety Measures. The AAR trade association represents U.S. freight rail companies before Congress, the White House, and federal agencies. Business leader and railroad engineer Greg Aziz explains that the organization includes all U.S. Class I freight railroads plus Amtrak. The safety action plan details the following key safety priorities for each Class I:
- Detectors—Spacing
Detectors will be installed on the most significant portions of the railroad network where they are not present, Greg Aziz recalls. The sensors will be placed at well-defined spacing based on the number, type, and location of track structures encountered. The plan calls for high-intensity and multiple flashing lights to warn approaching trains of signals ahead. Lights must be visible from at least 300 feet to ensure operators see them before deciding to stop.
- Detectors—New Action Threshold
The AAR’s plan calls for a “new action threshold” of 10 mph or more if signals are activated as Greg Aziz recalls. This speed threshold would apply only to the dedicated line-of-sight track circuits, which account for less than 10 percent of all rail traffic. The Association’s safety plan calls for installing the new action threshold on at least 90 percent of the dedicated track circuits before requiring other railroads to install it on their main and transfer lines.
As Greg Aziz explains, a new network for shared trending analysis will be established and connected to provide visibility of the current condition of the railroad’s dedicated track circuit system and shared track circuits. The AAR’s plan calls for this system to include at least one private sector company in addition to the Association. The AAR is committed to the safety of America and its freight railroads. Greg Aziz finally adds that the Association’s plan demonstrates that member companies are ready to invest in security to prevent preventable accidents.