NewsDude
09-17-2008, 04:00 PM
Federal officials blamed railroads Monday for refusing their requests to install an expensive safety feature on all U.S. tracks that many say could have prevented Southern California's deadly commuter train crash.
Railroads have balked at the cost and reliability of the technology, which is in use on only 2,600 miles (4,200 kilometers) of track out of about 140,000 miles (225,300 kilometers) nationwide.
The technology has not been installed on the Los Angeles track where 25 people died in a crash on Friday.
"Many times in this country, we regulate by counting tombstones," said Barry M. S****ler, former director of the Office of Safety Recommendations for the National Transportation Safety Board.
"Unfortunately, it takes a tragedy like this with many people dead for action to take place, even though people in the know knew what needed to be done and didn't do it," he said.
The system known as positive train control monitors train location and speed using satellite-based positioning systems and digital communication. It can engage the brakes if a train fails to heed signals or gets on the wrong track.
The head-on collision between a Metrolink commuter train and a Union Pacific freight train was the deadliest rail accident in 15 years. The commuter train drove through three warning light signals before striking the freight train.
NTSB board member Kitty Higgins has said the positive control technology could have prevented the crash.
"I've seen it tested," she said. "It makes a difference."
Rep. Jim Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said in a statement the accident was preventable and "the unwillingness of rail companies to make the needed investments in safety have prevented this technology from being fully implemented."
The Association of American Railroads, the lobbying arm for the freight railroads, said it has concerns that the technology has not been perfected.
"This is not off-the-shelf technology. You can't...
More... (http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=61898)
Railroads have balked at the cost and reliability of the technology, which is in use on only 2,600 miles (4,200 kilometers) of track out of about 140,000 miles (225,300 kilometers) nationwide.
The technology has not been installed on the Los Angeles track where 25 people died in a crash on Friday.
"Many times in this country, we regulate by counting tombstones," said Barry M. S****ler, former director of the Office of Safety Recommendations for the National Transportation Safety Board.
"Unfortunately, it takes a tragedy like this with many people dead for action to take place, even though people in the know knew what needed to be done and didn't do it," he said.
The system known as positive train control monitors train location and speed using satellite-based positioning systems and digital communication. It can engage the brakes if a train fails to heed signals or gets on the wrong track.
The head-on collision between a Metrolink commuter train and a Union Pacific freight train was the deadliest rail accident in 15 years. The commuter train drove through three warning light signals before striking the freight train.
NTSB board member Kitty Higgins has said the positive control technology could have prevented the crash.
"I've seen it tested," she said. "It makes a difference."
Rep. Jim Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said in a statement the accident was preventable and "the unwillingness of rail companies to make the needed investments in safety have prevented this technology from being fully implemented."
The Association of American Railroads, the lobbying arm for the freight railroads, said it has concerns that the technology has not been perfected.
"This is not off-the-shelf technology. You can't...
More... (http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=61898)