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NTSB report on collision between Amtrak 5 and gravel truck in Nevada in 2011
Author: OPRRMS
Date: 02-06-2013 - 14:18
The NTSB has released its report on the grade crossing collision between Amtrak train 5 and an empty gravel truck in Nevada in 2011:
[www.ntsb.gov]
Selected items from the report:
-The truck was at only 56% braking capacity, regulations require 80%. Additionally two axles had mismatched brake cylinders though these were not considered defective by law, and the ABS system was disabled on the second trailer.
-Driver was suffering from a problem with his Achilles' tendon. He'd been instructed to take time off from work by his doctor but declined to do so for fear of discipline. The morning of the accident he had placed three calls to clinics to be looked at.
-Had the driver braked 1.4 seconds sooner he would have stopped short of the train
-The NTSB wants passenger rail cars to begin resembling tanks
.......
Probable Cause
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determines that the probable cause of the Miriam, Nevada, accident was the truck driver's delayed braking and the failure of John Davis Trucking to adequately maintain the brakes on the accident truck. Contributing to the number of fatalities and the severity of injuries was insufficient passenger railcar side impact strength.
The accident investigation focused on the following safety issues:
Commercial driver fatigue and distraction: Despite visual cues provided by the active grade crossing directly in front of him, the truck driver did not begin skidding and depositing tire marks on the roadway until it was too late to avoid a collision with the passing train.
Commercial driver license and employment history: The accident driver's employer was not required to obtain a full history of his motor vehicle-related violations and suspensions; and the driver provided the employer with an incomplete account of his 10-year employment history, which prevented the employer from making an informed hiring decision. This accident is the fourth NTSB investigation in the past 2 years where a commercial driver's employment and license history was at issue.
Commercial vehicle brake maintenance: The brakes of the accident truck were improperly maintained, and their poor condition increased the stopping distance of the truck. This factor, in addition to the driver's delayed braking, led to the collision with the train.
Passenger railcar crashworthiness and fire protection: When the accident truck struck the Amtrak train, it penetrated two railcars and resulted in a loss of occupant survival space for the train crew and passengers. In addition, an estimated 100 gallons of diesel fuel from the truck ignited a fire that spread across three railcars. The NTSB examined whether the implementation of measures to improve passenger railcar crashworthiness and fire protection could have affected the outcome of this accident.
Grade crossing action plans: The NTSB evaluated the grade crossing warning systems at the accident site to determine whether improvements could be made to alert inattentive drivers to approaching trains. Federal legislation requires states to conduct and systematically maintain a survey of all highways to identify those grade crossings that may require separation, relocation, or protective devices. However, not all states choose to, nor are they required to, create a planning document outlining how they would methodically and systematically reduce grade crossing accidents. The NTSB considered whether a uniform model grade crossing safety action plan is needed to help states systematically improve grade crossing safety.
[www.ntsb.gov]
Selected items from the report:
-The truck was at only 56% braking capacity, regulations require 80%. Additionally two axles had mismatched brake cylinders though these were not considered defective by law, and the ABS system was disabled on the second trailer.
-Driver was suffering from a problem with his Achilles' tendon. He'd been instructed to take time off from work by his doctor but declined to do so for fear of discipline. The morning of the accident he had placed three calls to clinics to be looked at.
-Had the driver braked 1.4 seconds sooner he would have stopped short of the train
-The NTSB wants passenger rail cars to begin resembling tanks
.......
Probable Cause
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determines that the probable cause of the Miriam, Nevada, accident was the truck driver's delayed braking and the failure of John Davis Trucking to adequately maintain the brakes on the accident truck. Contributing to the number of fatalities and the severity of injuries was insufficient passenger railcar side impact strength.
The accident investigation focused on the following safety issues:
Commercial driver fatigue and distraction: Despite visual cues provided by the active grade crossing directly in front of him, the truck driver did not begin skidding and depositing tire marks on the roadway until it was too late to avoid a collision with the passing train.
Commercial driver license and employment history: The accident driver's employer was not required to obtain a full history of his motor vehicle-related violations and suspensions; and the driver provided the employer with an incomplete account of his 10-year employment history, which prevented the employer from making an informed hiring decision. This accident is the fourth NTSB investigation in the past 2 years where a commercial driver's employment and license history was at issue.
Commercial vehicle brake maintenance: The brakes of the accident truck were improperly maintained, and their poor condition increased the stopping distance of the truck. This factor, in addition to the driver's delayed braking, led to the collision with the train.
Passenger railcar crashworthiness and fire protection: When the accident truck struck the Amtrak train, it penetrated two railcars and resulted in a loss of occupant survival space for the train crew and passengers. In addition, an estimated 100 gallons of diesel fuel from the truck ignited a fire that spread across three railcars. The NTSB examined whether the implementation of measures to improve passenger railcar crashworthiness and fire protection could have affected the outcome of this accident.
Grade crossing action plans: The NTSB evaluated the grade crossing warning systems at the accident site to determine whether improvements could be made to alert inattentive drivers to approaching trains. Federal legislation requires states to conduct and systematically maintain a survey of all highways to identify those grade crossings that may require separation, relocation, or protective devices. However, not all states choose to, nor are they required to, create a planning document outlining how they would methodically and systematically reduce grade crossing accidents. The NTSB considered whether a uniform model grade crossing safety action plan is needed to help states systematically improve grade crossing safety.
| Subject | Written By | Date/Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|
 NTSB report on collision between Amtrak 5 and gravel truck in Nevada in 2011 |
OPRRMS | 02-06-2013 - 14:18 |