U.S. focused report points to Canada and its safety management system
A new report from the National Academies of Sciences highlights the growing safety risks posed by longer freight trains, emphasizing the need for stronger regulations—especially in the United States. Co-author Peter Swan notes that while the U.S. lacks sufficient oversight, Canada has taken proactive steps to address these risks. “You guys have the requirement that they’ve got to look ahead at what changes might do. We don’t have that,” Swan says, drawing attention to Canada’s advanced safety management system (SMS), which mandates that railroads assess operational risks before implementing changes.
Longer trains, bigger challenges
The report, commissioned by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), dives into the complexity of managing longer freight trains. Swan explains that train length alone isn’t the primary concern, but rather how the train is assembled. “You can have light cars improperly positioned, and heavy cars will push them off the track on curves,” he says, noting that improperly put-together trains face higher derailment risks. In Canada, stringent requirements already address such issues, mandating detailed planning for train makeup and distributed power usage.
In contrast, the U.S. has lagged in imposing such requirements. The FRA’s Risk Reduction Program (RRP) does not compel railroads to assess new risks prior to operational changes, something Canada’s safety management system (SMS) requires. “Canada’s SMS mandates that risks must be identified and mitigated before operations are modified. In the U.S., the railroads don’t have to do that,” Swan adds.
Communication gaps and crew safety
The report also raises concerns about communication issues with longer trains, particularly for conductors using handheld radios, which often lack the range to maintain contact throughout the length of these trains. In Canada, similar issues are also present but are more actively addressed through regulatory oversight. Swan highlights that in the U.S., these gaps make conductor jobs more dangerous: “The handheld radios do not always have the range to keep communications open, making the work riskier.”
The report urges the FRA to establish a working group to explore best practices for ensuring crew communication and training for long-train operations. It recommends that the U.S. learn from Canada’s more robust training and oversight procedures.
Tackling blocked crossings
Blocked highway-rail crossings present another growing issue with long trains, especially near urban centers. While this problem affects both Canada and the U.S., Canadian provinces have increasingly pressured railroads to address these concerns. Swan explains that in the U.S., data collection on blocked crossings is voluntary, making it difficult for regulators to act. "In Canada, you see a more systematic approach to resolving these issues, especially where crossings are close to residential areas."
The report calls on the FRA to adopt a similar approach by requiring U.S. railroads to report crossing blockages, providing better data for safety interventions.
Throughout the report, Canada’s safety regulations are positioned as a model for the U.S. Swan and his co-authors recommend that the FRA enhance its oversight and follow Canada’s lead in requiring comprehensive risk assessments before operational changes. “The railroads had not done a good job in anticipating the increased risk, and stronger regulations like those in Canada could help,” Swan concludes.
