Amtrak will install inward-facing video cameras on a majority of its Northeast Corridor trains by the end of this year, officials said Tuesday, another in a series of safety measures the rail company has taken since a deadly May 12 derailment that killed eight people and injured more than 200.
In a conference call with reporters, Amtrak president and chief executive Joseph Boardman said the cameras will allow railroad officials to monitor the actions of engineers while they are on the job. The footage will not be available in real time; it will have to be downloaded from the locomotive's "black box" after the fact.
The announcement drew immediate praise from some lawmakers on Capitol Hill who said the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) should make the cameras mandatory on railroads nationwide.
"It has become crystal clear that inward-facing cameras — with the right privacy protections for employees — are a critical way to make our railroads safer," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. "Cameras improve accident investigations, deter unsafe behavior and detect compliance with safety laws, which is why I have urged their installation as soon as possible."
Boardman acknowledged that employee unions may not be eager to embrace the idea. "I don't think they're jumping up with joy to have them in there," he said.
But he added, "The technology is there, and I'm using the technology to ensure better safety."
Members of the union that represents Amtrak engineers said they were doubtful the cameras would make trains safer. "Engineers who are out there working don't see why that makes the railroad safer," said Fritz Edler, chair of the local committee of adjustment for Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division 482.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the May 12 derailment, has long recommended the cameras be installed, Boardman noted.
READ: Amtrak crash: US train driver has no recollection of crash: lawyer
READ: Eighth person found dead after US train crash
Boardman said Amtrak had been working with the FRA's Rail Safety Advisory Committee on a plan to install the cameras but concluded that there was no reason to delay.
He estimated it will cost roughly $1.4 million to install the cameras by the end of the year in the system's newest ACS-64 locomotives, which travel the Northeast Corridor. Cameras will then be installed on the remainder of Amtrak's fleet. In total, it will cost roughly $6 million to install the cameras in all of the system's locomotives.
"I am reassured to hear that Amtrak has heeded the call to install inward cameras in the cabs of their trains," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who called for the installation of the cameras in 2013 following a Metro-North passenger-train derailment in New York that killed four people and injured more than 70.
"These cameras will make a significant difference for the safety of rail passengers, and will provide additional information that can be used to improve safety and prevent future tragedies," Schumer said.
PHOTO GALLERY: Amtrak Train 188 derails in Philadelphia
According to federal investigators, on the night of May 12, Amtrak Train 188 sped up from 70 mph to more than 100 mph in less than a minute before it derailed and was still moving about 102 mph when it left the tracks at a sharp curve.
While an automatic braking system that could have prevented such a derailment was installed on the southbound portion of the track, it had not been installed on the northbound section of track where Train 188 derailed.
Amtrak has since installed the system at the crash site. In addition, the company is working with the FRA to determine which other curved sections on the route between Washington and Boston need to be upgraded. Amtrak has declined to identify which curves will get automatic speed control fixes like the one made for northbound trains at Philadelphia's Frankford Junction within days of the May 12 crash.
A more comprehensive speed control system is expected to be in operation by year's end.
Federal officials last week gave Amtrak a five-day deadline to submit a list of all curves where the speed limit for approaching trains is more than 20 mph greater than the speed limit for the curve. The emergency order also gave Amtrak 20 days to come up with an "action plan" for putting in place speed "warning and enforcement" tools on those curves.
If making those changes would slow broader train control improvements ahead of a year-end congressional deadline, or "are not otherwise feasible," Amtrak can offer alternatives to ensure trains are not running too fast, according to the order.
Southbound trains had been provided an automatic breaking backstop in the early 1990s following a major derailment in Boston. That is because the speed limit headed toward that curve from the north was significantly higher than the limit coming from the south, Amtrak officials have said.
Amtrak said it is working with federal officials on "proposed mitigations" at a number of curves. Even so, Amtrak officials maintained that speeding is not a problem for the passenger railroad.
Still, Amtrak said it is increasing lower-tech speed checks, just as a state trooper might do. "We use radar guns to track speed of trains," an Amtrak spokeswoman said in a statement.
In addition to more frequent speed checks, federal officials said Amtrak also intends to rely on more "locomotive event recorder downloads" to check on engineers.
"This device allows us to monitor performance and handling of the train," Amtrak officials said. "We would review information in order to determine appropriate action when necessary."
Amtrak also said its supervisors will increase their "observations of employee compliance or non-compliance" with operating procedures and rules for its engineers. And it intends "to hold listening sessions with its employees to learn about, and address, any additional safety concerns," according to federal railroad officials.
Amtrak declined to comment directly on the suggestion from federal officials that it could require its engineers to communicate by radio to a second employee before reaching major slowdown points. That employee could throw the emergency break if the engineer did not slow down, federal officials said. Amtrak responded only that "we are in the process of developing an action plan to comply" with the emergency order.
With Tuesday's announcement, Boardman reiterated his pledge to restore confidence in the system.
"We are going to do whatever we have to do to improve the safety and to make sure that people have confidence in Amtrak," he said. "This is a safe railroad, and people should feel safe when riding these trains."
The Washington Post
Wed May 27 2015
Amtrak Train 188, which was traveling from Washington to New York, crashed as it entered a curve while moving at a little over 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour -- double the 50 mph speed limit, according to investigators.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.