Regulators may consider cameras on freight trains

All railroads in Canada will be required to install inward-facing cameras on locomotives after a regulation is formally published in spring 2020, according to the Canadian Transportation Safety Board.

For the U.S. passenger industry, the FRA estimated the proposed costs for installing cameras at approximately $32 to $35 million over a period of 10 years. But for the freight railroads – if the FRA was to consider a requirement for the sector – would cost between $155 and $168 million over the same period. This cost, according to the FRA, “could outweigh its safety benefits.” In addition, “many freight railroads, including all Class I railroads, have already installed or are in the process of installing recording devices in their locomotives.”

The Association of American Railroads has confirmed that over 20,000 outward-facing cameras have been installed on freight and passenger locomotives, the FRA noted, with the Union Pacific Railroad in the process of installing them on over 2,000 locomotives.

Kansas City Southern Railway, an early adopter of inward-facing cameras in the freight industry, said having such cameras is a benefit for both security reasons (documenting trespassing or theft that may not involve employees) and for crew safety, specifically to monitor crew performance and their actions before an accident, according to the agency.

“FRA will continue to monitor freight railroads and their efforts to voluntarily install inward- and outward-facing recording devices, and also the overall safety records of the freight railroad industry, as it considers whether a future regulatory requirement is necessary,” FRA asserted.

Written comments on this proposed rule must be received on or before September 23.