Amtrak Installs Safety Controls Following Fatal Derailment

Amtrak has completed installation of a new safety system along the Northeast Corridor that some believe could have prevented a fatal derailment in May.

“Positive Train Control” keeps track of train speed via GPS, wireless radio and other technology.

According to the Association of American Railroads, Positive Train Control is a set of highly advanced technologies designed to make freight rail transportation as safe as possible by automatically stopping a train before “certain types” of accidents occur.

An Amtrak spokesman confirmed Positive Train Control has been activated between Washington and Philadelphia, as well as Philadelphia and New York.

Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman pledged to install the system following the May 12 derailment that killed eight people in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia.

NTSB investigations into the crash show the train was traveling at more than 100 miles per hour when it hit a curve with a posted speed limit of 50 mph. Experts agree that the Positive Train Control could have prevented the tragedy, but it was not installed in that section of the rail at the time, according to CNN.

The NTSB says a probable cause of the accident will not be determined until the investigation is complete. That could take as long as a year, according to officials.

SEPTA has plans to install similar technology on its Regional Rail system, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.