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Re: New on Jan 4 NTSB update re: Amtrak 501-Not Much New?
Author: Dr Zarkoff
Date: 01-09-2018 - 23:01
> Would a series of giant signs as follows have prevented this accident?
> "30MPH CURVE 2 miles"
> "30MPH CURVE 1.5 miles"
> "30MPH CURVE 1 mile"
> "30MPH CURVE .5 mile"
Not necessarily, and don't overlook the information overload factor. A lot of us from "them days" think 2 miles is "far enough out to forget by the time you get there" and that advance signs should be placed about 1 mile out, but this might be too close for long heavy freight trains.
> While such accidents are rare, it is surprising to know that the main protection against them is engineer knowing where he is and not missing or misreading one or two wayside signs.
Well it's been this way for over 10 decades (although only on the RRs which use speed signs).
> "30MPH CURVE 2 miles"
> "30MPH CURVE 1.5 miles"
> "30MPH CURVE 1 mile"
> "30MPH CURVE .5 mile"
Not necessarily, and don't overlook the information overload factor. A lot of us from "them days" think 2 miles is "far enough out to forget by the time you get there" and that advance signs should be placed about 1 mile out, but this might be too close for long heavy freight trains.
> While such accidents are rare, it is surprising to know that the main protection against them is engineer knowing where he is and not missing or misreading one or two wayside signs.
Well it's been this way for over 10 decades (although only on the RRs which use speed signs).
