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Re: New on Jan 4 NTSB update re: Amtrak 501-Not Much New?
Author: Dr Zarkoff
Date: 01-09-2018 - 22:35
>> The MUTCD has very specific rules about the size of a sign and its placement. The railroads set their own signing policies;
Yes.
>> the speed sign that is installed on this track follows the BNSF standard and appears to be a 18" wide by 12" tall sign - the size of a standard "No Parking" sign.
All the "No Parking" signs I've ever seen are considerably larger than a BNSF speed sign.
>> Now, imagine you're travelling down I-5 at 70 MPH. Do you think you're going to be able to see that sign?
When your employment status requires noticing these sorts of signs, you either develop the ability to do so automatically or you probably won't be employed for very long.
> That's an apples and oranges comparison because the signs themselves are not what train crews use to govern their speed.
Funny you should say this because I did this very thing for over 35 years, mostly as reminders without having to bore myself to tears counting MPs (provided they weren't missing). However, this:
> The speed restrictions are supposed to be memorized by locomotive engineers based on what the employee timetable says - whether a sign exists or not.
is also true becaue the E is responsible for running at the correct speed even if a speed sign is missing.
Yes.
>> the speed sign that is installed on this track follows the BNSF standard and appears to be a 18" wide by 12" tall sign - the size of a standard "No Parking" sign.
All the "No Parking" signs I've ever seen are considerably larger than a BNSF speed sign.
>> Now, imagine you're travelling down I-5 at 70 MPH. Do you think you're going to be able to see that sign?
When your employment status requires noticing these sorts of signs, you either develop the ability to do so automatically or you probably won't be employed for very long.
> That's an apples and oranges comparison because the signs themselves are not what train crews use to govern their speed.
Funny you should say this because I did this very thing for over 35 years, mostly as reminders without having to bore myself to tears counting MPs (provided they weren't missing). However, this:
> The speed restrictions are supposed to be memorized by locomotive engineers based on what the employee timetable says - whether a sign exists or not.
is also true becaue the E is responsible for running at the correct speed even if a speed sign is missing.
