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Re: NTSB Press Release re: BNSF rear-end collision in Iowa
Author: J
Date: 05-04-2011 - 16:55
On 1/12/2011 FRA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that includes a requirement for alerters. See proposed rule text below. Carriers have voluntarily equipped units for years and the lead locomotive in the coal train consist undoubtedly had one. The final rule should be out this year with a requirement taking effect some time in 2012.
Rule Text:
§ 229.140 Alerters.
(a) Except for locomotives covered by part 238 of this chapter, each of the following locomotives shall be equipped with a functioning alerter as described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section:
(1) A new locomotive that is placed in service for the first time on or after [DATE 90 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL RULE] when used as a controlling locomotive and operated at speeds in excess of 25 mph.
(2) All controlling locomotives operated at speeds in excess of 25 mph on or after January 1, 2016.
(b) The alerter on locomotives subject to paragraph (a) of this section shall be equipped with a manual reset and the alerter warning timing cycle shall automatically reset as the result of any of the following operations, and at least three of the following automatic resets shall be functional at any given time:
(1) Movement of the throttle handle;
(2) Movement of the dynamic brake control handle;
(3) Movement of the operator’s horn activation handle;
(4) Movement of the operator’s bell activation switch;
(5) Movement of the automatic brake valve handle; or
(6) Bailing the independent brake by depressing the independent brake valve
handle.
(c) All alerters shall provide an audio alarm upon expiration of the timing
cycle interval. An alerter on a locomotive that is placed in service on or after [DATE 90 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL RULE] shall display a visual indication
to the operator at least five seconds prior to an audio alarm. The visual indication on an alerter so equipped shall be visible to the operator from their normal position in the cab.
(d) Alerter warning timing cycle interval shall be within 10 seconds of the calculated setting utilizing the formula (timing cycle specified in seconds = 2400 ÷ track speed specified in miles per hour).
(e) Any locomotive that is equipped with an alerter shall have the alerter functioning and operating as intended when the locomotive is used as a controlling locomotive.
(f) A controlling locomotive equipped with an alerter shall be tested prior to
departure from each initial terminal, or prior to being coupled as the lead
locomotive in a locomotive consist by allowing the warning timing cycle to expire that results in an application of the locomotive brakes at a penalty rate.
Rule Text:
§ 229.140 Alerters.
(a) Except for locomotives covered by part 238 of this chapter, each of the following locomotives shall be equipped with a functioning alerter as described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section:
(1) A new locomotive that is placed in service for the first time on or after [DATE 90 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL RULE] when used as a controlling locomotive and operated at speeds in excess of 25 mph.
(2) All controlling locomotives operated at speeds in excess of 25 mph on or after January 1, 2016.
(b) The alerter on locomotives subject to paragraph (a) of this section shall be equipped with a manual reset and the alerter warning timing cycle shall automatically reset as the result of any of the following operations, and at least three of the following automatic resets shall be functional at any given time:
(1) Movement of the throttle handle;
(2) Movement of the dynamic brake control handle;
(3) Movement of the operator’s horn activation handle;
(4) Movement of the operator’s bell activation switch;
(5) Movement of the automatic brake valve handle; or
(6) Bailing the independent brake by depressing the independent brake valve
handle.
(c) All alerters shall provide an audio alarm upon expiration of the timing
cycle interval. An alerter on a locomotive that is placed in service on or after [DATE 90 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL RULE] shall display a visual indication
to the operator at least five seconds prior to an audio alarm. The visual indication on an alerter so equipped shall be visible to the operator from their normal position in the cab.
(d) Alerter warning timing cycle interval shall be within 10 seconds of the calculated setting utilizing the formula (timing cycle specified in seconds = 2400 ÷ track speed specified in miles per hour).
(e) Any locomotive that is equipped with an alerter shall have the alerter functioning and operating as intended when the locomotive is used as a controlling locomotive.
(f) A controlling locomotive equipped with an alerter shall be tested prior to
departure from each initial terminal, or prior to being coupled as the lead
locomotive in a locomotive consist by allowing the warning timing cycle to expire that results in an application of the locomotive brakes at a penalty rate.
