 |
Re: Amtrak train crash in Philly
Author: SP5103
Date: 05-14-2015 - 09:37
Based on available info, I don't think there is any argument that the train was going too fast to safely traverse the curve. The reason it was going too fast is still undetermined.
As far as the engineer, in the event he was potentially at fault then he may be subject to criminal prosecution for at least multiple charges of manslaughter. Even if he didn't have amnesia, if it was you wouldn't you use your 5th amendment rights unless you were offered immunity from prosecution or could prove it was not your fault?
The news has began to pick up that the conductor is equally responsible for the safe operation of the train and also question their actions or lack thereof. Have you ever worked a passenger train? I have, and it isn't that easy to keep track of exactly where the train is and what's going on while dealing with taking tickets and providing customer service. Remember there are plenty of passengers that will complain about you not giving them the service they demand versus if you are observing railroad operating rules.
The question of a single person in the cab has come up, and been dismissed by one of the "experts" who said a second crew member could also be a distraction rather than a double check. Wonder if the airlines know this? Crew resource management only works if there is a crew instead of just one person.
It is also being suggested that the engineer was speeding to make up time due to some slow orders. Typical passenger schedules require the engineer to operate the train at nearly 100% acceleration and deceleration, so the only way you can gain time back is to either be able to make shorter station stops or push how far you approach a speed restriction before hitting the brakes. At 106 mph you would be moving at about 155 feet per second, so assuming you needed at least a mile to slow from 100 to 50
No mention has been made if the existing signal system only provided signal enforcement as it doesn't appear to have been speed enforcement.
As far as the engineer, in the event he was potentially at fault then he may be subject to criminal prosecution for at least multiple charges of manslaughter. Even if he didn't have amnesia, if it was you wouldn't you use your 5th amendment rights unless you were offered immunity from prosecution or could prove it was not your fault?
The news has began to pick up that the conductor is equally responsible for the safe operation of the train and also question their actions or lack thereof. Have you ever worked a passenger train? I have, and it isn't that easy to keep track of exactly where the train is and what's going on while dealing with taking tickets and providing customer service. Remember there are plenty of passengers that will complain about you not giving them the service they demand versus if you are observing railroad operating rules.
The question of a single person in the cab has come up, and been dismissed by one of the "experts" who said a second crew member could also be a distraction rather than a double check. Wonder if the airlines know this? Crew resource management only works if there is a crew instead of just one person.
It is also being suggested that the engineer was speeding to make up time due to some slow orders. Typical passenger schedules require the engineer to operate the train at nearly 100% acceleration and deceleration, so the only way you can gain time back is to either be able to make shorter station stops or push how far you approach a speed restriction before hitting the brakes. At 106 mph you would be moving at about 155 feet per second, so assuming you needed at least a mile to slow from 100 to 50
No mention has been made if the existing signal system only provided signal enforcement as it doesn't appear to have been speed enforcement.
