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Two BART workers killed amid strike
The contractor was a former co worker and friend, a great track expert, he will be missed.
Roger Keay: here here!
Hear ye, Hear ye!
Notice that BART cars have windows at their ends, at eye level for a seated person; there are even window-wiper blades.
Clue from that: a place that a person that can over-ride the automatic computer controlled operation?
Seriously folks, and Jay V, Jim N, and William D H, you qualify, BART trains have just such a person during computer-controlled operation, and have displays for computer communication status, speed, system defect alarms…even a control which allows the computer to control the train or not…manual controls of the train’s velocity too.
There are times when the trains run in “no man crew” mode, Jim N
Ya’ sayin’ I knew it, or serves 'em right, or are you angry, surprised or curious?
BART employs a talented dutiful, skilled and highly trained corps of train operators and many are women train operators.
This is why a qualified operator needs to be in the seat any time the vehicle is in operation - awake, sober and Off the phone.
And how far away was the “look-outs” cell phone found ?
At the least, there should be a remote camera for an override in case a problem develops, as happened in this case.
Roger Keay, BART is a heavily regulated government brainchild commuter railroad. Therefore, like all other things regulated by government, politics does have its place right in the middle of this mess. You may not agree with the politics. If so, too bad. In this country, unlike some others, nobody is forcing you to read any of the article or the comments. William D Hays has the constitutional right to express his opinion, probably more so than you do because as far as I can tell, you are not an American and are therefore, not protected by the Bill Of Rights. If you are an American, I highly recommend you read that document as you might actually learn something.
Thats pretty good “judgement” exercised by a no man crew.
I worked as a signalman for the railroad, there are huge fines and penalties if the safety lookout is not focusing on the tracks at all times, plus with BART the third rail sings very loudly as a train approaches about 1/4 mile at 79 mph this accident is way too convenient to have happened during a strike, there are other factors involved that hopefully the NTSB will be able to find out. In discussions with older co workers they talked about how the unions had thugs, snipers, and lots of people on the payroll that caused “Unfortunate Accidents” during strikes.
My prayers are with the victim’s families.
Mr. Hays, your comment is disgraceful. The article reports a very sad human tragedy yet you choose to drag it into the muck of your country’s ugly politics. Shame on you. I can’t imagine why Trains allowed your comments to be posted.
Nasty! Was the “O’Bamacare” sign-up computer in charge of the train? At least MM&A had one qualified engineer on-board. Me, I vote for two!
Continued : The requirement for a deadmans became apparent during a safety investigation. Yes governments do govern, investigate, regulate, oversee, and otherwise insure safety.
BART trains require the presence of a human being. They have been that way since the 70’s after several incidents where train operators fell out of the cab at stations and the train left without an operator. It became a requirement after the California Public Utilities Commis
If the railroad cannot afford atleast one train crew member to prevent a tragedy like this, they should ask for volunteers. There are many qualified engineers volunteering on tourist railroads across the country. I would imagine there are plenty of retired rail fans who would love to help out. My condolences to the victims family!
Looks like we have another Goosie. However, Mr. Hayes is very vile.
Silly Guse: Hays’ political comment was uncalled for and completely unrelated to the article.
Also, if YOU will read the Constitution, you will find that it only says the government can’t restrict free speech. Trains can do whatever it wants with its privately owned and operated web site.
Now then, back to the topic. If all BART trains must have someone in the cab, AND there was a lookout for the maintenance guy, that means that either TWO people failed to do their jobs at the same time, or there is foul play involved. I will wait for the NTSB and other investigations, without speculating.
The know all Guse is incorrect, BART is NOT a railroad. It is rapid transit as in its subway system. It has regulations, but not those under FRA jurisdiction. Subway operators are not certified Locomotive Engineers.