HomeMy Public PortalAboutr 04:046No. 04-46 Date of Adoption Felxa,arv 5, 2006
RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE USE OF REMOTE CONTROL
LOCOMOTIVES WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET
WHEREAS, railroads operate throughout the Borough of Carteret (the "Borough")
over numerous public and private rail crossings accessible to persons of all ages; and
WHEREAS, railroad equipment is known to present significant danger to persons
and property from collision, derailment, and possible release of hazardous materials;
and
WHEREAS, an enormous amount of rail cargo traveling through the township
consists o£potentially lethal chemicals and hazardous materials; and
WHEREAS, in addition to accidental derailments, collisions and spills, the United
States government has issued a safety alert against vandalism and terrorist threats
against railroads; and
WHEREAS, operation of a railroad is traditionally conducted with the use of
locomotives manned by experienced, trained individuals who are required to be
certified prior to operating the locomotive; and
WHEREAS, railroads have been granted permission from the Federal Railroad
Administrations ("FKA") to operate unmanned (remote controlled) locomotives by
less trained, tested and qualified individuals; and
WHEREAS, the FRA has only established guidelines and not regulations in
connection with such remote controlled operations; and
WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the Borough of Carteret are charged with
protecting the health, safety and welfare of the people of the Borough; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Carteret believes that
significant safety risks exist which must be eliminated before "remote control" trains
are permitted to operate in the Borough;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET, that the Federal Railroad Administration
is hereby urged to ban the use of "remote controlled" trains within the Borough of
Carteret until the following safety concerns are met:
NO. 04-46 PAGE 2
1. Remote controlled locomotives be barred from transporting chemicals
and hazardous materials; and be prohibited from operating on or near (i)
tracks occupied by hazardous materials; or (ii) facilities which house
hazardous materials.
2. Railroads operating a remote control locomotive be required to notify the
Office of the Mayor before implementing such operations.
3. Remote control locomotives be barred from operating over a public or
private highway rail crossing without a person occupying the cab of the
locomotive who has the required skill to stop the locomotive and its
attached equipment.
4. The railroad be required to provide effective and reliable protection at
the point of movement in any location accessible to the general public
for any remote control operation.
5. Remote controlled locomotives have sufficiently secured operating cabs
and controls to prevent against terrorists, vandals and other unauthorized
persons.
6. Railroad be required to install a track related device to stop a remote
control locomotive in the event of a runaway
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the FRA develop comprehensive regulations
for the use of remote control locomotives and those who operate them; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the FRA order an immediate halt to operation
of remote controlled trains within the Borough of Carteret, New Jersey; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the
Honorable Congressman Robert Menendez and the Federal Railroad Administration.
Adopted this 5th day of February, 2004 and
certified as a true copy of the original on
February 6, 2004.
KATHLEEN M. BARNEY, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk
RECORD OF COUNCIl. VOTE TL
X - lnclicaie Vote AB - Absent NV - Nol Vo!ing XOR - Indicates Vote to Overrule Veto
Adoplcd at a meeting of thc Municipal Council