Reported by David Lassen for Trains Pro
The legislators say that new dispatching systems and updates to existing software are currently introduced without oversight, testing, or regulation by the FRA, and contends that vendors are often slow to offer fixes when software problems are identified. This forces dispatchers “to troubleshoot the technology under live conditions and use workarounds until safety defects are corrected,” according to the press release. It also notes an increased risk of cyberattacks from Iranian state-sponsored organizations, according to a privately circulated FRA warning reported by the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD).
The legislation is supported by labor organizations including Transportation Trades Deparment of the AFL-CIO; SMART-TD and SMART’s Mechanical and Engineering Department (SMART-MD); the American Train Dispatchers Association; Transport Workers Union; Transportation Communications Union; National Conference of Firemen and Oilers; Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division; and International Association of Machinists.
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