Why trains crash

[R4_GRN]

Interesting programme on PBS America channel 534 now on sky on trains colliding and what America did to prevent trains hitting head on single track.

NOVA: From derailments, to head-on collisions to drivers killed at road crossings, deadly train accidents claim dozens of lives each year. But just how unsafe are the railroads? This documentary investigates recent rail tragedies and advances in train tech that could help prevent them, taking a special look at Japan’s superefficient bullet trains, which have a perfect safety record. What would it take to usher in a new golden age of safer, faster, more modern and reliable train travel?

Very different approach to this country single track working, I think it was called PTC System or do we have a similar system in the UK?

 

[30907]

Interesting programme on pbs America channel 534 now on sky on trains colliding and what America did to prevent trains hitting head on single track.

Much different approach to this country single track working, I think it was called ptc System or do we have a similar system in the uk?

Possibly CTC Centralised Train Control? Certainly referenced in UK and used by UK suppliers IIRC but not adopted as such in UK or Europe generally. Very few major single line routes in UK at the time it was being introduced.

The UK remotely controlled systems are RETB (Radio Electronic Token Block) and more recently the ETCS trial on the Cambrian.

 

[R4_GRN]

Programme has just finished. Japan is investing 30 trillion on a Maglev system, America is investing in improving the freight business to get freight of the roads.

Interesting programme

 

[Bald Rick]

PTC is Positive Train Control. Effectively a form of AUtomatic Train Protection, ie overriding the driver if a red signal (or equivalent) is ignored. Mandated by Federal law for most railways in the US, with an implementation date of 15/12/2015. (Or 12/15/2015 if you are watching in the US). Naturally this was misse,d and the new date is December 2018. Don't count chickens about that date either.