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H. 4205

STATUS INFORMATION

House Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Cato and J.E. Smith
Document Path: l:\council\bills\gjk\20584sd03.doc

Introduced in the House on May 14, 2003
Adopted by the House on May 14, 2003

Summary: Railroads operating in the state

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
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   5/14/2003  House   Introduced and adopted HJ-3

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VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

5/14/2003

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE RAILROADS OPERATING IN SOUTH CAROLINA FOR IMPROVING THEIR SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE INNOVATIVE AND PROVEN TECHNOLOGY USED FOR REMOTE CONTROL LOCOMOTIVES.

Whereas, a safe and efficient railroad system is vital for businesses and industries currently operating in South Carolina and for future economic development in the State; and

Whereas, innovations that enhance the safety of railroad operations in this State benefit both the general public and railroad employees; and

Whereas, innovations that improve the efficiency of railroads in this State help hold down freight rates and thereby enhance the competitive position of businesses and industries in South Carolina that rely on railroads to transport both raw materials and finished products; and

Whereas, the two major railroads in Canada have been using remote controlled locomotives for over a decade with dramatic reductions in their accident rates and in their operating costs; and

Whereas, the remote control technology encompasses numerous safety features to prevent accidents; and

Whereas, the remote control technology enables the railroad employees on the ground to move cars around as needed without depending on someone in the locomotive cab and without risking a miscommunication with possibly devastating results; and

Whereas, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued guidelines for operation of remote controlled locomotives on railroads in the United States; and

Whereas, in addition to these guidelines, current FRA regulations govern the training of remote control operators and inspections of these devices; and

Whereas, railroads have begun to utilize remote controlled locomotives for switching operations in various terminals in our State and other states; and

Whereas, one major railroad in South Carolina recently completed its first year of experience using remote control switching operations with a sixty percent reduction in its accident rate as compared to conventional switching operations. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and commend the railroads of South Carolina for their exemplary efforts to improve their safety and efficiency by embracing the proven and innovative technology which makes it possible to safely perform switching operations with remote control locomotives.

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