---

U.S.Department of Transportation Office of Public Affairs Washington, D.C. www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm News

---

Statement of Federal Railroad Administrator Allan Rutter Regarding the Use of Remote Control Technology

Contact:
Telephone:

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 (Washington, DC) Since first issuing guidelines on the use of remote control in February 2001, the FRA has closely monitored the use of the technology industry-wide. Current regulations govern the training of employees operating remote control devices as well as device inspection. Based on safety data gathered to date, there is nothing to indicate that remote control operations should be banned from use. In fact, in cases where the FRA has identified potential problems associated with remote control operations, railroads have been extremely responsive in addressing such issues.

Our commitment remains to proceed cautiously, closely monitoring the use of remote control technology. If we identify safety problems associated with this technology, we will move quickly to mitigate those safety risks, using the full range of enforcement and regulatory measures at our disposal.