Ohio § 4955.50

§ 4955.50.

(A) As used in this section and sections 4955.51 to 4955.57 of the Revised Code : (1) “ Wayside detector system ” means an electronic device or a series of connected devices that scan passing trains,

rolling stock, on-track equipment, and their component equipment and parts for defects. (2) “Defects” include hot wheel bearings, hot wheels, defective bearings that are detected

through acoustics, dragging equipment, excessive height or weight, shifted loads,

low hoses, rail temperature, and wheel condition. (3) “Class I carrier,” “class II carrier,” and “class III carrier” have the same meanings

as defined in 49 C.F.R. Part 1201 1-1. (B) The public utilities commission in conjunction with the department of transportation

shall work with each railroad company that does business in this state to ensure that

wayside detector systems are installed and are operating along railroad tracks on

which the railroad operates and to ensure that such systems meet all of following

standards: (1) The systems are properly installed, maintained, repaired, and operational in accordance

with sections 4955.51 to 4955.57 of the Revised Code and the latest guidelines issued by the United States department of transportation,

the federal railroad administration, and the association of American railroads. (2) Any expired, nonworking, or outdated wayside detector system or component parts of

a system are removed and replaced with new parts or an entirely new system that reflects

the current best practices and standards of the industry. (3) The distance between wayside detector systems is appropriate when accounting for

the requirements of sections 4955.51 to 4955.57 of the Revised Code , the natural terrain surrounding the railroad track on which the railroad operates,

and the safety of the trains, rolling stock, on-track equipment, their operators,

their passengers, and the persons and property in the vicinity of such railroad track

so that if defects are detected operators have sufficient time to do the following: (a) Respond to the alerts projected by the wayside detector system; (b) Stop the train, rolling stock, or on-track equipment, if necessary; (c) Make all necessary repairs or, if repair is impossible at the location, to remove

the component parts or equipment that is defective. (4) The railroad company has defined, written standards and training for its employees

pertaining to wayside detector system defect alerts, the course of action that employees

are required to take to respond to an alert, and appropriate monitoring and responses

by the company if employees fail to take the required course of action. (C) If a railroad company refuses to work or otherwise cooperate with the public utilities

commission and the department of transportation in good faith in accordance with this

section, the commission and department shall investigate that railroad company's safety

practices and standards in accordance with 49 C.F.R. Part 212 .  The commission and department shall determine whether the company appears to be

in compliance with federal railroad safety laws, as defined in 49 C.F.R. Part 209 . (D)(1) If a railroad company does not appear to be in compliance with the applicable federal

standards based on an investigation conducted under division (C) of this section,

not later than sixty days after the conclusion of the investigation, the commission

and department shall make a report to the federal railroad administration.  The report shall detail the results of the investigation and recommend that the

administration take enforcement action in accordance with its authority against the

railroad company for the safety violations discovered through that investigation. (2) The commission and department shall send a copy of the report to the governor, the

president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the minority

leaders of both the senate and the house of representatives.