Remote Control Locomotive Systems

HCRQ has provided system safety and software safety consulting assistance on two RCL systems:

• CANAC Beltpack
  
  
  
  
• Cattron-Theimeg RCL-II

For those of you with an interest in RCL systems, the following references may be of interest to you:

• A Comparative Risk Assessment of Remote Control Locomotive Operations versus Conventional Yard Switching Operations, DOT/FRA/ORD-06/09, FRA, May 2006.
• Development of a Preliminary Set of Human Factors Functional Design Guidelines for Remote Control Locomotive Systems, DOT/FRA/ORD-07/19, FRA, July 2007.
• Human Factors Root Cause Analysis of Accidents/Incidents Involving Remote Control Locomotive Operations, DOT/FRA/ORD-06/05, FRA, May 2006.
• Recommended Minimal Guidelines for the Operation of Remote Control Locomotives, Notice of Safety Advisory 2001-01, FRA.
• Remote Control Locomotive Operations: Results of Focus Groups with Remote Control Operators in the United States and Canada, DOT/FRA/ORD-06/08, May 2006.
• Safety of Remote Control Locomotive (RCL) Operations, FRA, March 2006.

The 49 CFR Parts 229 and 238 Locomotive Safety Standards NPRM surfaced on January 12, 2011. Amongst other things, this NPRM applies remote control locomotive systems. HCRQ rigorously scrutinized it much the same as it did for 49CFR236 Subpart I. Particular focus was placed on Subpart E (Locomotive Electronics) and Appendix F (Recommended Practices for Design and Safety Analysis). Part of Appendix F, Safety Assessments - Recommended Contents, is a Subpart H wanna-be. The rule itself was expected to hit the streets in January 2012. When it does surface, look for our name in the preamble. You will see it many times. By the way, HCRQ will be offering a system safety course tailored specifically to it!