Thursday February 16, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Investigators probe fatal DC rail transit collision

World Jun. 23, 2009 - 12:01PM JST ( 10 )

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

Order by Time Order by Popularity

10 Comments

0

SargeJun. 23, 2009 - 10:26AM JST

I want to know the cause of this accident.
0

Pump24Jun. 23, 2009 - 11:51AM JST

My bet is the 2nd train engineer missed a signal. Hopefully not because of texting, like the commuter train crash in California several months back.
0

cleoJun. 23, 2009 - 12:44PM JST

A horrible accident. Hopefully no more deaths or casualties will come to light. Commiserations to the families of the dead, hope that the injured recover soon and completely, and praise to the rescue services.
0

namabiru4meJun. 23, 2009 - 12:56PM JST

hopefully not another train texting incident
0

smithinjapanJun. 23, 2009 - 01:34PM JST

Awful stuff. You ride these things day in and out (especially in Japan) completely believing you are in safe hands. My condolences to the families.
0

magpieJun. 23, 2009 - 03:00PM JST

Whilst we always ask why, at this time, I can only wish to pass my condolences to those unfortunate, and pray for those who have been affected.
0

yabitsJun. 23, 2009 - 06:33PM JST

This was a train I rode daily, getting off at Takoma Park to exercise at the nearby aquatic center. My heart goes out to the victims and their families.

The METRO is a great system and has moved millions upon millions of people safely for years. Would that the same could be said of our highway systems.
0

nandakandamandaJun. 23, 2009 - 08:05PM JST

The more computerization you introduce, the less the driver has to do.

Maybe time, however, to introduce sensors which will automatically slow or stop a train when it senses another up ahead. Honda have been experimenting with this in cars for years now. Surely with up to 1,500 lives in one single train, this should be a priority over cars.

So many people sing the praises of public transport that I hope it will be worthy of the reputation one day soon.
0

FadamorJun. 24, 2009 - 12:26AM JST

There are no signals alongside the track as they would be a hinderance for trains that normally stop every five minutes (or less). The computer system is supposed to maintain spacing for these trains, but they have turned it off in the past if there is a breakdown in the sensor system. The drivers are supposed to manually maintain spacing in those instances.

I'll let the investigation run its course rather than speculate on what happened now. The one who could answer the most pressing questions was the first to die, unfortunately.