Federal Railroad Administration recommends more speed signs

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Railroad Administration has recommended commuter railroads look at where they have sharp track curves and adjust their automatic train control safety systems to prevent trains from going too fast there, like an Amtrak train did before it derailed in Philadelphia last month.

If automatic train control isn't available then the train should have a crew member besides the engineer who's familiar with the route and briefings about where speeds are reduced. The second person would have to be in constant contact with the engineer.

The administration's safety advisory also suggests railroads add more warning signs about speed. The administration says Monday's advisory is the latest in a series of steps it has taken to keep passenger railroads safe.

A speeding Amtrak train from Washington, D.C., to New York City derailed May 12, killing eight people.

Video: http://launch.newsinc.com/share.html?trackingGroup=92351&siteSection=bigstory_hom_non_non_dynamic_wire_ap&videoId=29062534

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/02a7bf8ee4cf4927aa651b64f4c69297/federal-railroad-administration-recommends-more-speed-signs

[murielm99]

1. I have a father and brother who are

retired railroaders. I grew up around trains and train crews.

There used to be firemen on the trains with the engineers. Of course, the term was obsolete, but the second person in the engine was there to assist and to act as a safety person. The railroads eliminated those firemen jobs long ago. The firemen objected, because they knew things could be unsafe. There were brakemen, too. I don't know if they still have them. I will have to ask my brother or some of his friends.

I hope they bring back a position like that of the fireman.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Federal Railroad Administration Recommends Actions to Prevent Passenger Trains from Speeding

Last edited Tue Jun 9, 2015, 02:14 PM - Edit history (4)

Federal Railroad Administration Recommends Actions to Prevent Passenger Trains from Speeding

Press Releases
Federal Railroad Administration Recommends Actions to Prevent Passenger Trains from Speeding
U.S. Department of Transportation

Office of Public Affairs, Washington D.C.

www.dot.gov/briefingroom
09
Jun
2015

PRESS RELEASE NUMBER: FRA 11-15
CONTACT: FRA Public Affairs
PHONE: [phone]
SUBJECT: Passenger Rail
KEYWORDS: Passenger, rail, curves, safety advisory
ABSTRACT: The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today issued a safety advisory recommending actions that passenger railroads take to prevent trains from speeding. The advisory is the latest in a series of steps FRA has taken to keep passenger railroads safe for the traveling public.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today issued a safety advisory recommending actions that passenger railroads take to prevent trains from speeding. The advisory is the latest in a series of steps FRA has taken to keep passenger railroads safe for the traveling public.

“Today the FRA is taking a smart and targeted approach to addressing a major issue involved in recent passenger rail accidents,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Safety is our top priority at the Department, and today’s advisory is but one step we are taking to raise the bar on safety for passenger rail.”

The FRA recommends that passenger railroads immediately take the following actions to control passenger train speeds:

Identify locations where there is a reduction of more than 20 mph from the approach speed to a curve or bridge and the maximum authorized operating speed for passenger trains at that curve or bridge.

Modify Automatic Train Control (ATC) systems (if in use) to ensure compliance with speed limits.

If the railroad does not use ATC, ensure that all passenger train movements through the identified locations be made with a second qualified crew member in the cab of the controlling locomotive, or with constant communication between the locomotive engineer and an additional qualified and designated crewmember in the body of the train.

Install additional wayside signage alerting engineers and conductors of the maximum authorized passenger train speed throughout the passenger railroad’s system, with particular emphasis on additional signage at the identified locations.

“The FRA fully expects passenger railroads to take immediate action and implement these recommendations,” said Acting Federal Railroad Administrator Sarah Feinberg. “We will continue to take action in the coming weeks to prevent human error from causing accidents and to keep passengers safe on the nation’s railroads.”

To view a copy of the Safety Advisory, click HERE.

Operational and signal modifications for compliance with maximum authorized passenger train speeds and other speed restrictions

09
Jun
2015

SA NUMBER: 2015-03
SUBJECT: Passenger Rail, Safety Advisories
KEYWORDS: Safety Advisories; Passenger Rail
ABSTRACT: This is a safety advisory recommending actions that passenger railroads take to prevent trains from speeding. The advisory is the latest in a series of steps FRA has taken to keep passenger railroads safe for the traveling public.

Here is an excerpt:

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

Safety Advisory 2015-03

Operational and signal modifications for compliance with maximum authorized passenger train speeds and other speed restrictions.

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of safety advisory.

_______________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY: FRA is issuing Safety Advisory 2015-03 to stress to passenger railroads and railroads that host passenger service and their employees the importance of compliance with Federal regulations and applicable railroad rules governing applicable passenger train speed limits. This safety advisory makes recommendations to these railroads to ensure that compliance with applicable passenger train speed limits is addressed by appropriate railroad operating policies and procedures and signal systems.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Hynes, Director, Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance, Office of Railroad Safety, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The overall safety of railroad operations has improved in recent years. However, two fatal passenger train accidents in the last 18 months in which serious overspeed events occurred highlight the need to ensure train speed limit compliance, as mandated by existing Federal railroad safety regulations and railroad operating rules.

Feds order trains to have more crew after fatal Amtrak derailment

Bart Jansen, USA TODAY 10:42 a.m. EDT June 9, 2015

WASHINGTON — Less than a month after a catastrophic Amtrak derailment near Philadelphia, federal regulators called Tuesday for passenger trains to have two qualified crew members in the locomotive or in close communication when operating in areas without automatic braking.

In a 10-page safety advisory, the Federal Railroad Administration also called on passenger railroads to use automatic braking where available to comply with speed limits, identify locations where the speed limit drops at least 20 mph for a curve and install additional speed-limit signs along tracks.
....

Amtrak has automatic braking on most of the Northeast Corridor, and expects to complete the installation by the end of the year. The northbound curve in Philadelphia didn't have automatic braking in place, but FRA ordered it implemented after the crash.

In the latest advisory, FRA called for a "second qualified crew member" to be in the cab of the locomotive for any passenger train traveling through areas without automatic braking, or for the second crew member to be in constant communication with the engineer from the body of the train.

FRA recommendations to prevent psgr. train speeding