KEN PATRICK wrote:do these signals flash as attention-getters? are there strobe-light signals that activate when trains are switching tracks? shouldn't the sto have called the east bound to give a heads-up? is there an e-mail facility in each cab? in this era of instant communications i find it strange to totally rely on fixed signals. this preventable accident indicates to me that back-up train control via smart phones should be considered. ken patrick
You're new to all this, aren't you?
The answers are no, no, no, and no. Since we don't know it was crew error yet we'll stay general. But signals have had clear meanings for 100 years, a red signal is preceeded by other signals giving advance warning, and each day thousands of trains operate safely using that system. Railroads are adapting new systems using GPS-type technology but it's not something that can be slapped into place overnight. Emails and smart phones are not practical for many reasons.