WASHINGTON — National Transportation Safety Board investigators have determined that one Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority light rail train was traveling at 30 mph when it struck another train Friday in an accident that injured 25 people.
In a press release, the NTSB said it had obtained information from the event recorder on the train that struck a slower-moving train ahead of it. That train was traveling about 10 mph. Two cars on the first train and one on the second train derailed as a result of the collision. Multiple Boston-area media outlets have reported there is a 10 mph speed limit at the accident location.
NTSB investigators arrived in Boston. The agency said the investigative team includes members of the Federal Transit Administration, MBTA, and Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. A labor union representing MBTA employees has also been offered the chance to participate.
The NTSB said it will release a preliminary report within 30 days of the completion of on-scene work.
Is PTC in effect on this line? Not being snarky – just wondering if light rail operations were mandated.
Light Rail is NOT mandated to have PTC. I suspect that since this operation had used streetcars, it was a “see and be seen” system similar to operation in city streets.
NOTE: if something as expensive as PTC were mandated I would see either conversion of light rail lines to bus, or fare increases to Commuter Rail levels.