Union Pacific details PTC progress to feds

Join the discussion on the following article:

Union Pacific details PTC progress to feds

The real problem here isn’t PTC. The real problem is government mandating the railroads implement technology by an unrealistic deadline. Technology that is unproven and not tested. Of course, if it was up to government to come up with technology, we would still be moving freight with canal boats and teams of oxen pulling wagons. PTC isn’t necessary. If it was, the railroads would have had it up and running for years.

Just our wonderful government not seeing the obvious. There are better (more effective) ways to improve railroad safety than PTC. Railroads, already much safer than other modes, such as trucking, should not be forced into costly improvements to make them even safer, those costs will just drive customers to use those less safe modes.

Just our wonderful government not seeing the obvious. There are better (more effective) ways to improve railroad safety than PTC. Railroads, already much safer than other modes, such as trucking, should not be forced into costly improvements to make them even safer, those costs will just drive customers to use those less safe modes.

I agree with Mr. Guse and Ensinger. In addition-- What about adequate supervision of train crews. The 2008 Metrolink crash would not have happened if the RR management had been supervising and training crews and hiring better people. Positive drug and alcohol testing ( for a variety of substances ) and cell phone use detection should result in immediate termination— always. Screenings should be done often.
Also better training to instill crew members with their responsibilities for the lives of others. Also-- crew members that are exhausted, sick or have not had a full 8 hours of sleep before their run should never be forced to work. So much for OSHA rules-- if rules not enforced. Expensive PTC will not prevent any of these human errors-- bad management or unfit employees. And these factors cause most of the accidents.