Just ran across this documentary. YouTube

Thought some may be interested, in reference to Metro North's recent accident at Spuyten Duyvil. ALTAMONT ALTAMONT ALTAMONT Seems that this problem of advanced train control systems only automatically enforcing block boundaries, rather than also automatically enforcing speed limits around curves, is a world wide problem.

Of course, there have been a few exceptions, where curve restrictions have been automatically enforced since their inception, such as Key system, BART, WMATA, Miami, UTA Frontrunner, etc. But it was not required by law at the time it was installed. Apparently, some railroads really mean it when they say safety first; while others have really meant "Schedule First".

According to this documentary, the Japanese government acted to require curve speed restriction enforcement only after this 2005 accident.

The FRA acted only after Spuyten Duyvil last November, effective immediately, but only on passenger carrying lines equipped with some form of ACS/ATS/ATP.

Still waiting to hear of any action by the Spanish or other European countries.


As to the means of disciplinary action, how would you like to be browbeat into a panic at virtually any infraction, instead of the way it gets done here. Here, you get fired if you screw up too many times. There, firing is not an accepted part of the Japanese culture, so this bullying of employees into a literal panic, is used instead. Anyone out there care to comment on the comparison? Personally, I think either leads to more human mistakes than it prevents. The Japanese method clearly squeezes the employees into a panic; and in a "Schedule First" corporate culture; that is what will get served first! Safety then becomes the afterthought - four seconds before impact!

OPB