In recent years, the rapid evolution of automated vehicles has been a mainstay in the news as people either welcome the technology or raise concerns about safety. While all this is going on, railways companies have been working diligently behind closed doors on Automatic Train Operation, an innovation that could forever change how cargo is shipped across the United States. […]
Automated Train Operation A Cause For Concern
Negligence and Liability in Virginia Railroad Crossing Accidents
An overwhelming majority of serious railroad accidents take place on level crossings. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia has 9, 409 railway crossings. Of these, 2,574 private grade crossings, 1,852 public and at-grade, 1,852 grade-separated, and 3,764 closed crossings. A lot of these crossings are not equipped with critical safety features that warn people in the area when […]
What Are the Most Common Railroad Worker Injuries?
Working around locomotives, near railroad tracks, or in a railyard is a fundamentally hazardous job. Railcars and train engines roll along tracks on steel wheels and are incredibly clumsy and heavy. On a daily basis, railway workers are exposed to multiple dangers, some of which could potentially cause severe and even fatal injuries. If you were injured while you were […]
Is the Railroad Staffing Shortage Affecting Worker Safety?
All across the United States, staffing shortages are crippling major industries. The problem is especially critical on the railroads where indications of a strike nearly shut down services and paralyzed the economy. These worker shortages are not good for safety or for business on railroads where current conditions already have employees stretched to their breaking point. In September, a standoff […]
Understanding The Serious Public Safety Risks of Train Derailments For Railroad Workers And The Community in General
Injuries resulting from a train derailment can be devastating. Fallen cars, broken glass, and moving objects affected by speed and force are just a few safety hazards for both general public and railroad workers. Injury risks may compound even after the derailment, due to collisions with a second train, fires, and dangers to pedestrians. In most cases, the reasons for […]
What Makes Working on the Railroad So Dangerous?
Railroad workers probably face the harshest and most hazardous working conditions in the country. They often have to stand in exhausting positions and work under extreme temperatures. They also have to use dangerous machines and materials besides these difficulties. All of this creates a high-risk working environment. Additionally, there are long-term health risks associated with the potential exposure to toxic […]