Amtrak uses computer technology for safety at high speeds
October 12, 1996
Web posted at: 8:45 a.m. EDT
From Correspondent Ed Garsten
KALAMAZOO, Michigan (CNN) -- Barreling across a Michigan
landscape, a diesel locomotive recently broke a milestone
when it became the first Amtrak passenger train to carry a
new computer-aided safety system.
The train, traveling from Kalamazoo to Niles, easily
accelerated beyond the U.S. maximum rail speed limit of
79 mph until it reached more than 100 mph. (24 sec./948K QuickTime movie)
What enables the train to accomplish this without
jeopardizing safety is a computer on board in radio
communication with the signal system. It displays for the
train engineer everything he needs to know to operate safely.
The system developed by Harmon Industries can actually take
over from an engineer if warnings aren't heeded.
"A lot of nasty accidents that have happened have been due to
human error. The purpose of the system is to eliminate human
error," the company's Robert Heggestad said.
Indeed, it was human error that caused one of Amtrak's worst
crashes in 1987 at Chase, Maryland.
The federal government is contributing $9 million toward
developing the system known as high-speed positive train
control. It is expected to reduce the likelihood of similar
accidents in the future. The idea is to attract new rail
passengers by offering a system that is faster and safer.
"We are focusing on a mission that says zero tolerance for
any kind of safety hazard," said Jolene Molitoris,
administrator for the Federal Railroad Administration.
So far, only a 22-mile stretch of track in western Michigan
is equipped with the computer system. It is a heavily used
stretch, moving a 500,000 passengers a year between Detroit
and Chicago.
It will be at least a year before passengers between Detroit
and Chicago can watch the world whiz by at 100 mph. The plan
is to offer high-speed train travel in every corridor in the
country.
But the government and Amtrak will have to prove that the
extra speed won't derail safety.
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