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FRA issues safety advisory for speed restriction compliance
Yes by definition PTC is a system that will enforce speed restrictions both temporary and permanent.
"Because many accident occur on stairs, in the interest of safety, I urge all homeowners to survey their house to find where the stairs are so they can be vigilant in their use, particularly in descent. "
Tempest in a teapot. This is political theater and CYA.
I think Jim Norten says it best. Metro-North, MM&A and others really do not want these accidents to occur, but we are dealing with human nature which sometimes fails us.
This is the classic socialist solution to a problem created by the socialists. One of their own commuter trains derails because they chose to over-work the operator. Therefore, lets solve the problem by more micro-management of the freight railroads, which are already heavily regulated by big brother government and don’t have a problem with operators falling asleep on the job.
Here is the real solution. Force government and its employees to follow the same regulations as the private sector. See how long that lasts before they ignore their own regulations again.
Do we really need the government telling the railroads this?
Very sound initiatives. That repeat and reinforce a working environment where safety first is paramount.
But would some variant of PTC have prevented the accident ?
Do most people realize that today’s passenger train speed limits based on block protection were created in the wake of the tragic rear end collision of the Exposition and Advanced Flyer of the CB&Q in Naperville, IL back in the 40’s?
PTC might have helped, if it was proven/compatible technology. Wire the engineers to an electric fence charger…
With Xmas approaching, how 'bout monitoring turkey consumption by engineers that are on-call? “You have to give something back for your $150,000 salary!”. Gobble, gobble.
What about training in sleep apnea? Statements indicate that fatigue may have played a role in this wreck.
Modification may have been made to the PTC systems being developed since the fatal rear-end collision on BNSF at Red Oak, IA. But I remember reading, in the commentary and analysis that PTC would not have prevented that accident.
Thoughts on this anyone?
Goosie Guise:
If socialism is so bad, why do the Swiss railways, just to take one example, run so well? The answer is, sorry to disappoint you, that it is not political systems nearly so much as the people that both ride and run these systems that make all the difference. So long as voters inform themselves and exercise their franchise intelligently socialism can work quite effectively as can private enterprise in which customers vote with their dollars. Private enterprise, unfortunately, expends much effort to deny individuals the ability to vote with their dollars by eliminating competition every way possible and creating oligopolies if not outright monopoly. So it is not so great either. Both are very imperfect. If you realized this fundamental reality you would not be so “off the wall” in your diatribes. Just visit any Scandinavian nation. These societies work very effectively. They are a pleasure to visit and study. It’s called not socialism but democratic socialism. There is a salient difference. I think you would do yourself well to look into the differences.
I am so sorry if this is disillusions to you. I am even more regretful if this knowledge keeps you awake at night. We all must learn eventually. Perhaps you will as well providing you have no disabling handicaps. For your sake, I wish that you do not. However, I may be wrong.