U.S.
Following a fatal Metro-North Railroad derailment in the Bronx borough of New York City, the Federal Railroad Administration said it issued an emergency order Friday mandating the railroad to have two people in place to operate trains where major speed limits exist.
The administration said in a news release that extra personnel will be required until the railroad updates its signal system so that it will automatically slow down a train if the engineer fails to do so in areas where there is a dramatic speed change.
“Safety is our highest priority, and we must do everything we can to learn from this tragic crash and help prevent future derailments,” Anthony Foxx, the United States transportation secretary, said in the news release. “While we assist the National Transportation Safety Board in carrying out its investigation, this emergency order will help ensure that other Metro-North trains travel at appropriate, safe speeds.”
According to the statement, the emergency order is a mandatory directive and failure to comply with its requirements will result in enforcement actions against the railroad or individuals who violate it.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs Metro-North, said in the news release that it would comply with the order, but it did not say how it would do so.
"We are examining many other possible steps we can take to improve the safety of our railroad operations, and will continue making every effort to enhance customer and employee safety," the MTA said.
Sunday's crash occurred on a sharp curve in the Bronx, killing four people and injuring more than 70. Its operator, William Rockefeller, allegedly became dazed at the controls, according to his lawyer.
Al Jazeera
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