(The following article by the Associated Press appeared on KARK-TV’s website.)
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An alderman in North Little Rock is looking to ban remote-controlled freight trains in the city. The city council is to vote tonight on whether to oppose the use of a remote control to operate locomotives in railroad switch yards.
Alderman Greg Yielding says the idea that the trains would haul hazardous materials worries and raises safety concerns for some residents.
North Little Rock would not be the first city in the state to ban the use of remote controls. Pine Bluff opposed the practice just last week.
Railroads argue that the technology is safe and say statistics show increased safety in railyards where it has been used for more than a decade.