Pressure Grows for Faster Implementation of Positive Train Control After Recent Amtrak Crashes
There have been four Amtrak crashes in the last three months. Pressure continues to mount on lawmakers to accelerate the implementation of a GPS technology-based railroad safety system referred to as positive train control (PTC). In each one of the crashes, installing and utilizing the software could have limited the impact and injuries, or eliminated them altogether.
South Carolina crash
The most recent incident of a fatal crash involving Amtrak trains occurred on Sun. Feb. 4 in South Carolina. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are on the ground in Cayce, SC where an Amtrak train collided into a freight train early that Sunday morning. Two fatalities were the result – an engineer and a conductor – with more than 100 injured. NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt explained that the failure was due to the wrong positioning of a switch. He stated that PTC could have prevented the tragedy. The GPS-based system tracks the location of all trains as well as the positions of all switches to prevent the occurrence of human error that results in two trains sharing the same track at the same time.
Virginia crash
On Jan. 31 an Amtrak train was involved in a collision with a garbage truck on a rail crossing in Virginia as it was transporting Republican congressional members to a West Virginia retreat. The crash investigation has revealed that the Amtrak train was hovering around the speed limit seconds prior to its collision with the garbage truck at a rural road crossing. One man in the truck was killed and six other people were injured in the incident.
North Carolina crash
About two weeks earlier, on January 14, Rev. Eugene Lyons (a local pastor in the Whitakers North Carolina area) and his wife Dorothy were killed when an Amtrak train crashed into their sport-utility vehicle. Reportedly, they maneuvered around the lowered crossing.
Washington derailment
About one month prior, on Dec. 18, an Amtrak train derailed around a curve as it was traveling nearly 80 mph, over twice the speed limit. The passenger train was on its inaugural run south of Tacoma, WA. The tragedy claimed the lives of three passengers – Benjamin Gran, Zack Willhoite, and Jim Hamre – dozens were also injured. The engineer reported that he did not see any signs leading up to the curve.
Proposed legislation to speed up PTC implementation
Following the fatal train derailment in December in Washington State, the Positive Train Control Implementation and Financing Act was introduced in Congress. Co-sponsor of the bill, Sean Patrick (D- NY, 18th district) explained the problem and solution offered by PTC: “This is exactly what typically happens. You have a vehicle stuck on a crossing or people someplace they shouldn’t be.” He said, “We can prevent these accidents. We can prevent it with simple technologies like motion sensors linked to positive train control so that trains stop automatically and we know when something is in the way.”
The bill would put an end to the additional delays of the December 31, 2018 deadline for PTC implementation. It would also provide over $2.5 billion in resources to help passenger railroads implement the technology by the end of the year. Currently, railroads are permitted to apply for a two-year extension to Dec. 31, 2020 to complete PTC implementation on their tracks. Two times previously, Congress extended the deadline due to lobbying from the train industry.
Even though passenger accidents and derailments have covered the news in recent weeks and months, the actual number of accidents involving Amtrak trains continues to trend downward. Amtrak has installed PTC technology on the trains and tracks it owns. However, miles of track not owned by Amtrak, but by other railroad services and used by Amtrak, still do not have the system installed.
Experts believe full PTC implementation will reduce accidents
The majority of tracks owned and operated by Amtrak are in the Northeast quarter of the United States. According to experts, the installation of PTC will continue to reduce accidents, especially if they are implemented on the 100,000 plus miles of track not owned or operated by Amtrak.
PTC technology supports the engineer operating the railway. It functions similar to a GPS system, connecting trains with the tracks upon which they travel. PTC is designed to prevent high-speed derailments and train-to-train collisions, such as the tragedy last December in Washington State, as well as the most recent Amtrak crash in South Carolina.
On Feb. 15, the House Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials was scheduled to have a meeting focusing on the subject of automatic braking technology. On a nonpartisan basis, lawmakers are calling for the implementation of this technology.
If you have suffered an injury in a train derailment or other type of train accident, the experienced Los Angeles train accident injury attorneys at Taylor & Ring can help. We can fight on your behalf by locating important witnesses, retaining crucial evidence, and strengthening your claim for the compensation you are owed. Our successful track record of winning settlements and verdicts is extensive. To set up a free case evaluation, complete our contact form or give us a call today at 310-776-6390.
David Ring is a nationally renowned plaintiff’s personal injury trial attorney and has obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of seriously-injured individuals or families who have lost a loved one in a tragic accident. For more than 20 years, he has represented victims of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, assault, molestation and sexual misconduct in cases against a variety of employers and entities, including schools, churches and youth organizations.
He prides himself on providing aggressive, yet compassionate representation for children who have been sexually abused and women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted. Read more about David M. Ring.