Brothers and Sisters,<br /> A message from our National Legislative Director John Risch. Please review the following and let your voice be heard in opposing self driving trains.<br /><br />Fraternally Yours,<br /><br /><br />DeVar Thompson<br />SMART-TD Local 168<br />Local Chairperson<br />773-606-4321<br /><br />---------- Forwarded message ----------<br />From: Dirk Sampson &lt;DSampson@smarttd769.org&gt;<br />Date: Wed, Apr 11, 2018 at 9:01 AM<br />Subject: FW: Say &quot;NO&quot; to Autonomous Trains<br />To: Dirk Sampson &lt;DSampson@smarttd769.org&gt;<br /><br />Brothers and Sisters,<br /> <br />Please take the time to voice your opposition to this unsafe practice.<br /> <br />Fraternally,<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Dirk A. Sampson<br />General Chairman, GO-769<br />SMART - Transportation Division<br />1515 Market Street, Suite 708<br />Philadelphia, PA 19102<br />Phone: 215-564-1750<br />Fax: 215-665-8196<br />email: dsampson@smarttd769.org <br /><br />Subject: Say &quot;NO&quot; to Autonomous Trains<br /> <br />Are you having trouble viewing this message? Click here <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br />Dear Dirk,<br /> <br />The FRA needs to hear from YOU to STOP Self-Driving Trains!&nbsp; <br /> <br />The Federal Railroad Administration has released a request for information (RFI) about autonomous (aka self-driving/zero-person crew) trains.&nbsp;  <br /> <br />&quot;FRA requests information and comment on the future of automation in the railroad industry. FRA is interested in hearing from industry stakeholders, the public, local and State governments, and any other interested parties on the potential benefits, costs, risks, and challenges to implementing automated railroad operations. FRA also seeks comment on how the agency can best support the railroad industry&#039;s development and implementation of new and emerging technologies in automation that could lead to safety improvements or increased efficiencies in railroad operations.&quot;<br /> <br />As professionals in this industry, and as concerned citizens about public safety, we need to voice our concerns. The FRA has given us a chance to speak up and we need to take it!<br /> <br />Tell them why autonomous trains are a threat to public safety. You can also remind them of the critical duties of Conductors and Locomotive Engineers. <br /> <br />Speak your mind.&nbsp; <br /> <br />SMART Members, now is the time to use our voices to make an impression and weigh in BIG on this issue. Your response is needed!<br /> <br />It only takes a minute. Click on the the link below and tell the FRA why you think autonomous trains are WRONG!&nbsp; Then, forward the link to your family and friends and encourage them to do the same. The deadline to submit comments is Monday, May 7th.<br /> <br />https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=FRA-2018-0027-0003<br /><br />In solidarity,<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />John Risch<br />National Legislative Director<br />SMART Transportaiton Division<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />