Senators Want More Funding for Technology to Prevent Train Derailments
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NEWSPLEX) -- At the U.S. Senate, 21 senators, including Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, are urging Congress to increase funding for technology that could prevent future train derailments.
The National Transportation Safety Board has advocated for Positive Train Control technology for years.
However, a report from the American Public Transportation Association in 2013 stated many publicly funded commuter railroads have been forced to choose between installing the technology or making safety repairs.
In a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee, the senators wrote, "Safety on our nation's railway system has been, and must continue to be, our top priority. Last week's accident is a stark reminder that there have been far too many crashes and derailments, which could have been prevented had Positive Train Control been installed."
A release states commuter rails need about $2 billion to fully implement PTC, but Congress has allocated only $50 million so far.
Continue reading to see the full text of the letter sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
May 20, 2015
The Honorable Susan Collins
Chairman
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee
Dirksen SOB 128
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Jack Reed
Ranking Member
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee
Dirksen SOB 142
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Chairman Collins and Ranking Member Reed:
As you continue work on the FY16 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill, we urge you to provide increased and expedited funding for rail safety, especially Positive Train Control (PTC) technology.
On Tuesday, May 12th, an Amtrak train traveling from Washington, D.C. to New York derailed outside Philadelphia. Tragically, eight lives were lost and more than 200 people were injured. While the investigation into that accident is still ongoing, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the derailment could have been prevented had PTC been operational on that segment of track. The NTSB has advocated for PTC for more than four decades, citing its life-saving potential. PTC would provide millions of dollars in annual safety benefits and prevent needless fatalities.
Increased funding for PTC is especially critical at a time when commuter agencies grapple with the huge investments needed to install this technology. To date, Congress has only allocated $50 million specifically for PTC, yet costs on commuter rail systems nationwide are expected to exceed $2 billion.
Safety on our nation’s railway system has been, and must continue to be, our top priority. Last week’s accident is a stark reminder that there have been far too many crashes and derailments, which could have been prevented had Positive Train Control been installed. As we continue to rely more and more on our passenger and freight rail networks, it is imperative that we install Positive Train Control nationwide as soon as possible. Many of us have called for increased funding for PTC previously, and with renewed urgency we reiterate our request in this year’s funding bill.
Thank you for the work you have done to fund passenger rail and your prompt attention to this very important matter. We look forward to working with you.
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