HLS 21RS-1054 ENGROSSED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 68
BY REPRESENTATIVE PIERRE
RAILROADS: Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and Development to
study the length and danger of longer freight trains
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to study the safety,
3 effects, and other impacts of longer freight trains.
4 WHEREAS, more than six hundred freight railroads operate in the United States; and
5 WHEREAS, each Class I railroad operates in multiple states over thousands of miles
6of track; and
7 WHEREAS, the seven Class I railroads are BNSF Railway Co., CSX Transportation,
8Grand Trunk Corporation (Canadian National's operations), Kansas City Southern Railway,
9Norfolk Southern, Soo Line Corporation (Canadian Pacific's operations), and Union Pacific
10Railroad; and
11 WHEREAS, a majority of the Class I freight trains have increased in length in recent
12years; and
13 WHEREAS, the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO-19-443)
14indicated the average freight train length has increased about twenty-five percent since 2008,
15with average lengths of 1.2 and 1.4 miles in 2017; and
16 WHEREAS, one railroad runs a three mile long train twice weekly; and
17 WHEREAS, the excessive length of freight trains creates concerns with long delays
18and blocking traffic at road crossings, impeding emergency responders, and prompting
19unsafe pedestrian behavior; such as, climbing through stopped trains; and
20 WHEREAS, there are also concerns that longer trains could lead to loss of radio
21communications among crew members and may cause delays at rail sidings and yards; and
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HCR NO. 68
1 WHEREAS, the excessive length and the potential risk of danger of train derailments
2requires the careful review and evaluation of all the circumstances that contribute to them
3in an effort to ensure the safe operation of longer freight trains on highway railroad
4crossings.
5 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
6urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to study the safety,
7effects, and impact of longer freight trains.
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Department of Transportation and
9Development's recommendations shall identify dangers and measures to reduce the impact
10of longer freight trains on highway railroad crossings and, at a minimum, shall include the
11following considerations:
12 (1)The changes in freight train length over time.
13 (2)The safety considerations for operating longer freight trains.
14 (3)The potential safety risks.
15 (4) The best way to resolve railroad crossing issues.
16 (5)The railroads' financial and operational advantages and disadvantages to
17 operating longer trains.
18 (6)The findings of the Federal Highway Administration study conducted on
19 train length safety.
20 (7)The safety implications and difference between trains carrying flammable
21 hazardous cargo and hazardous freight.
22 (8)The trains traveling within and outside the city limits, including rural and
23 highway areas, along with areas otherwise densely populated, with and
24 without hazardous or flammable freight and non-hazardous freight.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and
26Development shall submit a written report detailing its findings and recommendations to the
27House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works and the Senate
28Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works prior to March 1, 2022.
29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the
30Department of Transportation and Development.
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HCR NO. 68
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 68 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Pierre
Urges and requests the Dept. of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to study the
safety, effects, and impact of longer freight trains. Requires the DOTD to provide a written
report of its findings to the House and Senate transportation committees prior to March 1,
2022.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation,
Highways and Public Works to the original bill:
Expand the Department of Transportation and Development's recommendations
to include the following considerations:
(1)The findings of the Federal Highway Administration study conducted on
train length safety.
(2)The safety implications and difference between trains carrying
flammable hazardous cargo and hazardous freight.
(3)The trains traveling within and outside the city limits, including rural and
highway areas, along with areas otherwise densely populated, with and
without hazardous or flammable freight and non-hazardous freight.
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