The Capitol corridor experienced a trespasser incident Tuesday. For whatever reason the incident investigation did not follow protocol. It resulted in a very lenghtly delay for all train traffic. Capitol corridor issued letter of appoogy and noted that they are investigating the excessive delay.
IMO this whole investigation protocol needs revising not only RRs but highways as well ! We had I-185 closed a few weeks ago for ~11+ hours for an accident.
From David B. Kutrosky
Managing Director of the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority
|
[quote user=“blue streak 1”]
The Capitol corridor experienced a trespasser incident Tuesday. For whatever reason the incident investigation did not follow protocol. It resulted in a very lenghtly delay for all train traffic. Capitol corridor issued letter of appoogy and noted that they are investigating the excessive delay.
IMO this whole investigation protocol needs revising not only RRs but highways as well ! We had I-185 closed a few weeks ago for ~11+ hours for an accident.
# From David B. Kutrosky
### Managing Director of the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Author |
I’ve seen similar incidents on the San Diego line. It seems to me that the authorities could allow passenger trains to ‘walk through’ at 5 mph without disrupting the crime scene. There is an awful lot of ‘standing around’ by numerous officials, instead of working on getting the line open as fast as possible. Same is true for highway accidents. Lots of standing around while an entire highway will be closed down, when it is obvious that one lane can be utilised to allow cars (under direction from junior officers) to walk through the area. long backups still, but at least traffic is getting through.
With 99% of rail/vehicle or rail/pedestrian accidents, what’s to “investigate”? Pick up the relevant pieces, make sure the track is clear and the equipment sound, and let the train proceed. Long delays to hundreds and sometimes (on a busy corridor) thousands of rail passengers while a lot of amateurs go through the motions is inexcusable.
Don’t know what the solution might be. If railroads don’t care enough about the inconvenience to their passengers to seek a legislative remedy, shouldn’t the frequent delays to freight and freight crews from the same causes do the trick?