Railroad agency issues speed advisory

The Federal Railroad Administration is reminding train operators to stick to speed limits in the wake of a recent New York City commuter train crash.

The agency issued its advisory just over a week after a Metro-North train derailed in the Bronx while traveling 52 miles per hour above the speed limit.

“Safety is our highest priority, and the Metro-North crash illustrates how important it is for railroads to follow speed limits,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement. “This Safety Advisory, along with the other enforcement measures we’ve taken, will remind all employees of the need to follow speed limits and will help improve safety across all rail lines.”

Last week, the railroad agency issued an emergency order directing the commuter rail line to change its signaling system to make sure that trains stick to the speed limit. 

Four people were killed in the Dec. 1 crash, and 60 more were injured.

“Although the industry’s overall safety record is good, the Metro-North accident is a stark reminder of the need to remain vigilant in ensuring compliance with operational speed limits,” added Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo. “Over the last decade, train accidents have declined by 43 percent nationally, a result of our rigorous safety regime, but we must always do better as we drive continuous safety improvement.”

Wednesday’s advisory tells railroads to review the circumstances surrounding the recent crash, instruct employees on the need to comply with train speed limits, look at data about speed testing and remind crew members to communicate with one another. 

The recent crash was the second major accident on Metro-North lines this year. In May, two trains collided in Connecticut. Additionally, a freight train operating on the railway’s tracks derailed in July.