Page 45 - Train Control News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Why is that? >> right. so the ceo of amtrak just gave a conference call to reporters and i do, you know, it was troubling because that question was asked and he did not answer it at first. he was pushed and he finally answered that there was no positive train control on this track. and for people who don't know what that is, essentially it's technology that automatically slows down a train if it's going too fast, faster than what the speed limit is. >> in a curve in particular. this was a curve in the track, wasn't it? >> exactly. we know along the track the speed limit is 75 miles per hour, b...

Their aces system which is basically a version of positive part train control on the curb outside of philadelphia. the track in this accident i believe is on union pacific and i suspect, in fact i am pretty sure, the positive train control has been implemented on that track. about a year ago, they had a completion of most of their positive train control in the western part of their system. the amtrak train would've been equipped with the same equipmen equipment. >> marie: for our viewers, describe what positive train control actually does. it's just another level of safety for the train, is th...

Allows for automatic braking should there will any sort of train to train collision possible or excessive speed or misaligned track. all of that is supposed to have been avoided with positive train control. it's going to be a high priority for everybody involved. >> was this upgrading of old track and what kind of equipment? they don't go as fast as they could go. you know better than anyone because the track is so old. how new is this track and how new is the equipment. is it canadian made. >> to be honest, i don't have

Did it function properly, not only the locomotive but the brakes. positive train control, we know that this train was apparently equipped with positive train control but by one account that wasn't supposed to be activated until next year, so how is it possible that this brand new line in which they were putting new locomotives on, they were running trains without ptc when it's been proven across the country to being a key to preventing accidents. so there's a lot still to be done on the forensics end and my hunch is it will be several days before they move the low moek t -- locomotive and the ...

When a high speed train goes into a curve over an interstate as is the case right here, is it up to the conductor to slow it down or is it automatic? >> in this case i don't know if there is a positive train control. we don't know what the track was rated for. it's up to the engine to make sure he is operating within the quite lines and to make the correct decisions. how were people injured and how were they killed? were these cars designed correctly? did they perform the way they were supposed to?