Train Accidents Help
September 22, 2009Investigators warns of train system flaws in wake of D.C. crash
Federal safety investigators have warned rail transit operators nationwide to check for problems with automatic train detection systems that could lead to railroad accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board issued the warning after an investigation into a June 2009 commuter train crash in Washington, D.C. uncovered potential flaws in a system designed to prevent train collisions.The Washington crash occurred when a Metrorail train collided with another stationary train that was stopped just outside a train station. Although the trains are equipped with a system designed to detect stopped trains and prevent crashes, investigators say that the system failed to work in this instance. Nine people were killed and 52 more were hospitalized as a result of the train accident.
Although NTSB investigators are uncertain as to why the automatic detection system failed to work, they believe that it may be vulnerable to errant signals that could make the system unaware of an oncoming obstacle. Investigators are uncertain of how many other systems similar to the one in Washington are in use around the country, but issued the warning about their potential dangers until a survey of their prevalence can be completed.