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Re: NTSB issues safety recommendations re: 2011 truck vs. Amtrak 5 crossing collision
Author: OldPoleBurner
Date: 01-31-2013 - 20:51
> after reading most of these recommendations, I find it a little disturbing
> that the NTSB had to actually recommend some of these.
It is disturbing that so much of what would seem to be just common sense, especially in the light of evidence; just isn't that commonly sensed! But in reality, the FRA and other regulatory bodies are not as stupid as the NTSB seems to think.
None of these recommendations were actually necessary. Regulatory action in light of uncovered facts might be useful though. Even if truckers and passenger car makers understand the needs uncovered here, competitive pressures can make it impossible to provide for them, without regulations requiring all to do so.
But even more disturbing is this fairly recent tendency of the NTSB to take up the advocacy of specific solutions. The problem with that is that no "recommendation" is anything other than speculation, a mere opinion as to what ought to be done. These are not actual provable facts as such.
But in this report, you have to read between the lines (something that not everyone is in a position to be able to do) to discern the plain unvarnished and proven fact the the accident was solely caused by the failure of the truck driver to stop at an operating grade crossing signal; that there was no conclusive evidence of excessive speed; that there was evidence of significant improper brake maintenance on the truck; and that potentially conclusive evidence of that bad maintenance, had been tampered with to no good purpose, by experienced wrecking crews that should have known better (probably did!).
There was a time when the NTSB stuck with just the facts; for very good reason. The minute the NTSB stepped into the realm of advocacy (it all started with PTS, on behalf of a specific vendor); they opened themselves up to serious political pressures, that will inevitably lead to the total corruption of the NTSB; and ultimately the loss of credibility in their findings.
Those with the biggest political guns will then have sway in the findings of any investigation. And that is sad, because until fairly recently, the NTSB was the new "Untouchables". But not anymore, thanks to the meddling of few IDIOT Senators, such as Feinstein and Boxer; and the private vendors who have gained their ears.
My biggest concern here is that without clean pure reliable information, we will not be able to continue learning how to prevent accidents at the scientific/engineering level; and even worse, clearly inadequate counter measures, that will actually add new hazards, will be politically foisted upon us (PTC comes to mind).
Despite that the technology is hardly ready for prime time in any safety venue, we will be relying upon it for our very lives. And when the inevitable happens, you can bet the farm that those who advocated for it (among them the NTSB) will have high motivation to cover it all up.
The proper role of the NTSB must therefore, be strictly limited to nothing but an unbiased fact finder - and nothing else. Too bad so many of our politicians are so @%&&%#@ STUPID! Or are they? Perhaps they have some other agenda not shown to the public!
OPB
> that the NTSB had to actually recommend some of these.
It is disturbing that so much of what would seem to be just common sense, especially in the light of evidence; just isn't that commonly sensed! But in reality, the FRA and other regulatory bodies are not as stupid as the NTSB seems to think.
None of these recommendations were actually necessary. Regulatory action in light of uncovered facts might be useful though. Even if truckers and passenger car makers understand the needs uncovered here, competitive pressures can make it impossible to provide for them, without regulations requiring all to do so.
But even more disturbing is this fairly recent tendency of the NTSB to take up the advocacy of specific solutions. The problem with that is that no "recommendation" is anything other than speculation, a mere opinion as to what ought to be done. These are not actual provable facts as such.
But in this report, you have to read between the lines (something that not everyone is in a position to be able to do) to discern the plain unvarnished and proven fact the the accident was solely caused by the failure of the truck driver to stop at an operating grade crossing signal; that there was no conclusive evidence of excessive speed; that there was evidence of significant improper brake maintenance on the truck; and that potentially conclusive evidence of that bad maintenance, had been tampered with to no good purpose, by experienced wrecking crews that should have known better (probably did!).
There was a time when the NTSB stuck with just the facts; for very good reason. The minute the NTSB stepped into the realm of advocacy (it all started with PTS, on behalf of a specific vendor); they opened themselves up to serious political pressures, that will inevitably lead to the total corruption of the NTSB; and ultimately the loss of credibility in their findings.
Those with the biggest political guns will then have sway in the findings of any investigation. And that is sad, because until fairly recently, the NTSB was the new "Untouchables". But not anymore, thanks to the meddling of few IDIOT Senators, such as Feinstein and Boxer; and the private vendors who have gained their ears.
My biggest concern here is that without clean pure reliable information, we will not be able to continue learning how to prevent accidents at the scientific/engineering level; and even worse, clearly inadequate counter measures, that will actually add new hazards, will be politically foisted upon us (PTC comes to mind).
Despite that the technology is hardly ready for prime time in any safety venue, we will be relying upon it for our very lives. And when the inevitable happens, you can bet the farm that those who advocated for it (among them the NTSB) will have high motivation to cover it all up.
The proper role of the NTSB must therefore, be strictly limited to nothing but an unbiased fact finder - and nothing else. Too bad so many of our politicians are so @%&&%#@ STUPID! Or are they? Perhaps they have some other agenda not shown to the public!
OPB
