Government calls for train crew changes

Government regulators are proposing trains have a minimum of two crew members, a response to safety concerns that arose in 2013 after an unattended oil train caught fire and destroyed much of a town in Canada.

A Federal Railroad Administration notice published March 14 says the agency is considering allowing railroads that operate with only one engineer to apply for an exception to the proposed two-person crew rule.

The proposal is opposed by the Association of American Railroads, which represents major freight railroads. Many railroads currently use two-person crews. But some industry officials have indicated they may switch to one engineer per train once technology designed to prevent accidents caused by human error becomes operational.

The technology, called positive train control, is expected to be employed between 2018 and 2020.

- Associated Press