Two engineers needed on trains
A good safety system should have redundant safeguards built into it. Redundancy is a duplication of critical components or functions with the intention of increasing the system's reliability.
Commercial airlines have two pilots operating planes. Tragedies have been averted when a co-pilot took over for the pilot. For example, in 2015 the pilot died on an American Airlines flight; this year the pilot on a Saudi Airlines flight had a massive heart attack.
Commuter/passenger trains, such as Amtrak and Chicago-area Metra, often operate with just one person at the controls, the locomotive engineer. For years the National Transportation Safety Board has indicated operator error as the cause of many commuter/passenger train accidents. Although I disagree with some of their findings, just one person operating a train is not the best way to manage risk.
The NTSB has recommended a nationwide system with built in positive train controls. This complex system will not be fully operational for several years and is meant to slow or stop trains if the operator fails to do so.
The problem is, it will not prevent rail accidents occurring at highway grade crossings or with trespassers. Per Federal Railroad Administration 2014 statistics these type of incidents, highway grade crossing and trespasser, accounted for 94 percent of all railroad accident fatalities.
As an author on railroad safety, I have urged the industry for about 20 years to have two operators on commuter/passenger trains. This is supported by locomotive engineers, their union, and safety experts.
The FRA recently proposed a regulation that will require two train operators. If it ever becomes law, it likely will take years to implement.
Amtrak, and commuter railroads, such as Metra, should immediately start using two train operators. Lives will be saved.
George Swimmer
Woodridge