NTL Record

Title Evaluation of options for improving Amtrak’s passenger accountability system
Record ID 34512
Personal Name
Creator
Mauri, Ronald; Mergel, Joseph
Source 212p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.); United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration; United States. Department of Transportation. Research and Innovative Technology Administration
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration
Publication Date 20051200
Language English
Abstract In investigating the derailment of Amtrak's Auto Train on April 18, 2002, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that an accurate count of persons on the train at the time of the accident was not available at the accident scene. NTSB noted that emergency response would be improved with accurate count data at the accident scene and issued a Safety Recommendation to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that it develop and implement an accurate passenger and crew accountability system. This report assesses the weaknesses in Amtrak’s passenger accounting system, the costs of improving it, and the potential safety and business benefits of an improved system. It finds that while technically feasible, the recommendation is impractical given Amtrak’s business model and would not provide the desired safety benefits. It also identifies alternative improvements to Amtrak’s passenger accounting system that can be the basis for future cost-effective Amtrak initiatives.
Rosap ID dot:34575
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/34575
TRT Terms Cost effectiveness; Costs; Passengers; Railroad crashes; Railroad safety; Train crews
General Subjects Amtrak; U.S. Federal Railroad Administration; U.S. National Transportation Safety Board; Accountability; Emergency response
Classification NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - RAIL TRANSPORTATION;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - Rail Planning and Policy;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - Rail Safety;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Rail Safety
Geographical
Coverage
United States
OCLC 276310688
TRIS Online
Accession No
1051568
Contract Number RR93/CB043
Report Number DOT-VNTSC-FRA-05-08; DOT/FRA/ORD-05/06
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/34000/34500/34512/DOT-VNTSC-FRA-05-08.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository