Title
To support the Federal Railroad Administration's proposed ruling requiring that trains in the United States are operated by a crew of no less than two people.
Body
WHEREAS, the safe operation of freight and passenger trains are vital to commerce in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has published a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding adequate staffing on trains, a factor we believe is vital to ensuring safe train operations; and
WHEREAS, polling across America shows overwhelming bi-partisan support of two-person crews, with eighty-three to eighty-seven percent of those polled in favor of mandating that trains be operated by a crew of at least two qualified individuals; and
WHEREAS, national studies show that a minimum of two on-board crew members are vital to operate a train safely and minimize the likelihood of train-related accidents; and
WHEREAS, virtually all trains in North America are already operated by crews of at least two individuals, making the economic impact of this proposed rule minimal; and
WHEREAS, the FRA agrees that, while advancements in automated technology such as Positive Train Control systems improve railroad safety, they are not a substitute for a train’s on-board crew members; and
WHEREAS, this Council supports efforts to keep train operations safe in the City of Columbus, the state of Ohio and the entire country; and
WHEREAS, this resolution constitutes an emergency measure for the immediate preservation of public peace, property, health or safety; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council hereby supports the Federal Railroad Administration’s proposed ruling requiring that trains operated in the United States are operated by a crew of no less than two people.