Existing law sets forth the powers and duties of railroad corporations. Existing law authorizes the Public Utilities Commission, after a hearing, to require every public utility to construct, maintain, and operate its line, plant, system, equipment, apparatus, tracks, and premises in a manner so as to promote and safeguard the health and safety of its employees, passengers, customers, and the public. Existing law requires the commission to require every railroad corporation operating in this state to develop a protocol for rapid communications with certain entities in an endangered area if there is a runaway train or any other uncontrolled train movement that threatens public health and safety. Existing law requires a railroad corporation to promptly notify those entities if there is a runaway train or other uncontrolled train movement, in accordance with the communications protocol developed.

This bill would impose certain requirements on a railroad corporation regarding signage, markers, and flagging systems. The bill would require a railroad corporation to notify the commission and the collective bargaining representative of any affected employee of any new utilization of remote control locomotives in the state, on or after January 1, 2006. The bill would require a railroad corporation to provide immediate notification to the Office of Emergency Services of specified accidents, incidents, and other events that are required to be reported to the Federal Railroad Administration’s National Response Center.