Amtrak crash ... Any news about the cause

[somashekar]

So sad to hear about the train derailment and death of some and injury to many.... Any news from the investigation ?

 

[JLyt207]

The investigation is still ongoing of course, but they did release information that the train accelerated just before the curve. It was going faster than trains normally would have in that section. On top of that they had a system installed that may have prevented it but wasn't turned on yet due to budgets and other rules. (according to the NY Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/15/...-away-from-installing-safety-system.html?_r=0

 

[Marc]

All that I have seen so far is speculation that it was "human error", but at this stage I would take any report(s) as speculation at best. I haven't read too much about it, though. Mostly headlines.

 

[hogheavenfarm]

My money is on texting and driving, especially since a warrant was just issued to search the phone. He claims no memory of the accident, but was obviously accelerating prior to the accident, and had time to realize it and hit the e-brakes.
This is actually one of the more advanced lines we have, other than automatic systems, it was in good shape compared to most others, just that nothing could make the corner at that speed. Personally, I see no reason why these forms of transportation cannot be fully automated much quicker and easier than cars, there are many trains existing that have no operators at all. Cars should be the last thing to automate, trains, planes and trucks first.