Probably because the train crashed, 9 people are dean and I think there is a good chance the driver was responsible.

Why are you so invested in the crash not being driver error?

What makes you say that the trains aren't totally automated at that point? Yes, the drivers can advance the trains slightly after they get into the station and things like that, but while it is in Automatic mode the computer does the speedup and slow down between stations normally.

What makes you think that the train could be stopped from 55 MPH in 125 ft. A Semi can't be stopped in that distance and the Metro trains are heavier than that.

The Operators don't do any braking round the bends normally. In automatic operations, the train operators can sit on their hands from the moment that they get the doors closed until the train comes to a stop at the next station. About all the actually do in that mode is talk to the controllers and honk the horn.

Randy

What is your experience that gives you more insight into this than the people that the NTSB has investigating?

I'm not. I haven't repeatedly posted in this thread making apparently unsubstantiated claims about the causes of the wreck.

Exactly.

DC locals are considering the train operator a hero right now. In DC, the metro operators rely on the computer system and their responsibility is to open the doors when the reach the stations and to announce the stations on the intercom. There's evidence that she administered the manual brake and the emergency brake, and her cell phone was safely zipped away in her backpack, following regulations. The Post is reporting that the computer's sensor in that track had not read the previous train, so the train that was stopped on the track was invisible to the computer on the train that crashed into it.

Here's a link supporting what tri deezy said: (Washington Post)

And another: (WashPost)

"When the investigation is completed, we will find she went beyond her job," Catoe said afterward. "I believe she saved lives. She was able to slow that train up before it crashed."

It's all so sad. She had a son in college, too. But props to her for trying to minimize the damage, even if the accident was unavoidable.

A hero? For what, hitting the brake too late? If the train was going 60 and the brakes were applied 125 ft before the crash then she only hit the brakes for a little over a second. If she was distracted and didn't hit the brake until a second before impact how does that make her a hero?

Maybe you should go offer your services to lead the rest of the investigation. It's obvious you understand it better than anyone else, and it may be the only way to make sure the driver doesn't escape blame. :rolleyes:

Well stated MysticCat. In fact it is the only way. Madmax will be just as guilty as the driver of the second train if he fails to lead the effort and succeed in proving that she is guilty!