FRA to Require Stronger "Black Boxes" to Help Train Accident Investigations

By Danielle Briones

Published on July 22, 2005

In accordance with the rule, event recorders will be hardened to prevent loss of data from exposure to fire, impact shock, fluid immersion, and other damage.

The regulation also requires new data to be captured, including horn activation, cruise control functions and train control operating directives sent to the engineer's onboard display.

Currently, event recorders capture train speed, use of automatic air brakes, throttle position and cab signal indications.

"We are making sure that investigators have more and better information available when working to find the cause of an accident," said FRA Administrator Joseph H. Boardman. "The more we can learn from train accidents, the more we can prevent them from occurring."

Railroads will have four years to replace older-style event recorders that use magnetic tape with new electronic memory modules. The rule also requires railroads to improve inspection, testing and maintenance procedures.

Railroads will be required to keep data stored on event recorders involved in accidents for one year, up from the current 30-days.

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