Reps. Denny Heck (D-WA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Rick Larsen, (D-WA) and Mark Amodei (R-NV) recently introduced legislation seeking to bolster National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations in the wake of the Amtrak Cascades 501 derailment in DuPont, Wash.
The Passenger Train Safety Act directs the Federal Railroad Administration to research safety issues relating to speed signs, seat securement mechanisms, and methods for mitigating derailment injuries and requires Amtrak to implement enhanced crew training.
“Three people died and fifty-seven people were injured in the 2017 Amtrak Cascades derailment in DuPont,” Heck said. “The crash took a harsh toll on the South Puget Sound community, but it also united us in resolve to keep rail passengers as safe as possible. NTSB investigators told us what we need to do to enhance rail passenger safety. And we’re doing it.”
The bill also implements the use of audio recording so investigators can better understand the causes of railroad incidents; mandates positive train control (PTC) for train service on new routes; and requires railroad carriers to periodically review and update their speed limit action plans.
“Communications and signaling safety mechanisms could save lives and lessen the likelihood of rail accidents like the Amtrak Cascades 501 tragedy,” Larsen, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said. “I commend the National Transportation Safety Board for their critical recommendations, and I thank my colleagues in the Washington delegation, Reps. Heck and Kilmer, for their leadership to prioritize the safety of the traveling public.”