Any extension should be a coupled with a lifting of any liability caps until the safeguards are implemented. Railroads currently benefit from significant caps on liability when their poor safety injures or kills people. Those caps need to be completely revoked until there is a commitment to safety.
7
Anyone else sees this as more government largesse? We have a conductor driving a train WAY past safe speeds and now billions must be spent on a new 'safely' technology so that if a driver falls asleep or is drunk or texting, the train doesn't leave the tracks. Unbelievably stupid!
Every conductor knows the legal speeds. So if one doesn't do his job, he should go to jail. But no, let's not hold individuals responsible for doing their job, let's instead spend billions we don't have to stop a once in a lifetime, if that, accident.
It's just too stupid to comprehend. No Congress, don't expand the deadline, drop the law.
Every conductor knows the legal speeds. So if one doesn't do his job, he should go to jail. But no, let's not hold individuals responsible for doing their job, let's instead spend billions we don't have to stop a once in a lifetime, if that, accident.
It's just too stupid to comprehend. No Congress, don't expand the deadline, drop the law.
1
If states like California and new York would impose a user tax then the system would have plenty of financial resources to fund the project. The problem is, as it always has been, these overpopulated regions want the rest of the nation to fund their needs and conveniences.
1
Our rail system has been declining in service and quality for at least 60 years by my own experiences. (Yes, I was suffering the consequences as a ten-year old.) These problems did not all happen overnight. Railroad management was even then cutting back on maintaining its equipment to hand out big dividends to its shareholders. Our government-run rail system has yet to catch up for those intentional lapses in repair and replacement of equipment and rails.
6
"Clearly, nobody wants a large-scale rail shutdown. That would make it much harder and more expensive for businesses to transport goods and for commuters to get to work."
Indeed, when trains shut down, people switch to cars which are far more dangerous. In 2013, 32,850 people died in car accidents. The number 300 of ALL train deaths since 1970, was nearly doubled by car accidents in a single week.
I think America has an excessive concern for safety as well as, paradoxically, an excessive number of guns which also kill people but not as many as cars do.
Some of my family went to Iceland last year and were delighted to find beaches where it was not actually prohibited to swim! In the US, unless a life guard is present you are not allowed to swim.
Also, the US is the only country where you are required to take off your shoes before going through security.
And yet, LBJ sent 68,000 men to their deaths in Vietnam. I have no idea of the philosophy behind this paradoxical behavior. To much safety on one side, and too little on the other.
Indeed, when trains shut down, people switch to cars which are far more dangerous. In 2013, 32,850 people died in car accidents. The number 300 of ALL train deaths since 1970, was nearly doubled by car accidents in a single week.
I think America has an excessive concern for safety as well as, paradoxically, an excessive number of guns which also kill people but not as many as cars do.
Some of my family went to Iceland last year and were delighted to find beaches where it was not actually prohibited to swim! In the US, unless a life guard is present you are not allowed to swim.
Also, the US is the only country where you are required to take off your shoes before going through security.
And yet, LBJ sent 68,000 men to their deaths in Vietnam. I have no idea of the philosophy behind this paradoxical behavior. To much safety on one side, and too little on the other.
1
Improving and fixing the existing infrastructure is acutely needed.Since that will not happen, the least we can do is installation of safety systems. Where is the harm in extending the deadline to install safety mechanisms which are imperative and prevent heavy commercial losses? The extension should be final with severe penalties if not complied by then. We can spend millions to kill ONE terrorist leader while hundreds of passengers are dead for lack of safety and decrepit infrastructure. Talk of priorities!
1
Actually Congress should get off it's collectively lazy rear end and pass a comprehensive transportation bill that would allow for the construction of some new high speed rail lines in America. I suggest Newark NJ to Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh to Chicago, Chicago to Minneapolis to Salt Lake City, to Seattle. Than we could do a Los Angeles to San Francisco to Seattle. San Francisco to Las Vegas, And do a sensible rebuild of the Amtrac line from Boston to Wash. D.C. because that line without MEGA BILLIONS can not be turned into a true high speed line. And yes, I do have some ideas on how to do it.
5
No, another half-decade delay isn't going to do the job, since, at bottom, the mandated technical solution is just an untested schematic with variable applicability to different lines and cargoes. I took a fairly close look, and it's perfectly clear where and how the railroads are having trouble, so the issues, while political on the Congressional side, are also very seriously technical, and there seems to be no support or funding for solving them.
It would be far better to stipulate that fines are subject to delay, but the timetable stands; else we'll be told in a few years that the solutions are outdated and impossible. If we just institute a delay, there's no motivation to solve the problems, let alone spend anything.
And, as various amateurs have indicated, there is also no incentive for any railroad to adopt feasible partial and inexpensive fixes that do not fall into the mandate itself. So, a GPS connected line atlas with better operator alerts might not do the whole job, but it would probably save lives at low cost - extremely low cost. If an automobile driver leaves headlights on during the day, when not mandated (US only), accidents may be not be eliminated, but it sure helps avoid some of them.
It would be far better to stipulate that fines are subject to delay, but the timetable stands; else we'll be told in a few years that the solutions are outdated and impossible. If we just institute a delay, there's no motivation to solve the problems, let alone spend anything.
And, as various amateurs have indicated, there is also no incentive for any railroad to adopt feasible partial and inexpensive fixes that do not fall into the mandate itself. So, a GPS connected line atlas with better operator alerts might not do the whole job, but it would probably save lives at low cost - extremely low cost. If an automobile driver leaves headlights on during the day, when not mandated (US only), accidents may be not be eliminated, but it sure helps avoid some of them.
1
How about rewards for those who meet the deadline, and decreasing rewards for those who join soon, leading to fines later for non-compliers?
6
You could get 75% of the benefits of these sophisticated systems with the equivalent of a GPS and iPhone app. The app knows exactly where the train is and what speed it is supposed to be going at that location. If it's going too fast it triggers an alarm to the conductor to slow down. If he doesn't slow down after 10 seconds then the alarm goes off throughout the train so all staff (and perhaps at some point passengers) pull on the emergency brake. This would likely have prevented the Philadelphia tragedy and many others. Why do we insist on perfect technology that is too expensive to implement. And I suspect that when we finally do implement it we will find out that it isn't perfect.
9
I remember a (possibly apocryphal) story about writing in space. Since ordinary pens do not work, the US invented special pens which would work even in space. The Russians used pencils.
1
Since 1970, how many billions have some of these railroads, like the Union Pacific, earned? How many billions have they paid their CEO and top management? One of their number, John Snow, even bought his way into a Cabinet position a number of years ago. They've had the money, but they, like Dick Cheney and the military draft, have had other priorities.
12
Like always, the reasl issue is whose pocket the money comes out of to pay for the improvements. Let the people who use the trains pay for them. End of story.
2
Virtually everything you buy that isn't produce moved some distance by train.
4
So, let the rates reflecgt the costs and whoever buys whatever is transported pay the increased costs in the price of the item sold.
Of course, the reality is that the big subsidies go to Amtrak and the North corridor where commuters get the relatively free ride.
Of course, the reality is that the big subsidies go to Amtrak and the North corridor where commuters get the relatively free ride.
2
Here's some reality: Amtrak's annual subsidy is $1.4 billion a year - national network, "North corridor," the whole shooting match.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/03/04/390841422/house-approv...
What is that, a dozen F-35s?
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/03/04/390841422/house-approv...
What is that, a dozen F-35s?
This is yet another example of how big business blackmails government. No three year extension. Either call their bluff or vote a shorter extension with a very high price for laggards.
11
Since when are commuter railroads "big business"?
4
Attn Congress:
Railroad: a noun, not a verb.
Railroad: a noun, not a verb.
11
I'd say this is a case for Amtrak Joe Biden to solve!
3
Yeah, he can make a speech at the Joesph Biden Amtrak station in downtown Dover, I kid you not. When we started naming things after not only living but sitting US politicians we really went off the rails.
1
The station named for Vice President Biden is in Wilmington.
Maybe one more essential detail: “Congress required railroads to install positive train control on all mainlines over which toxic or hazardous-by-inhalation chemicals travel, or any line that regular passenger traffic. http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2015/08/07-fra-penalties
It isn’t enough deadline-extension that the US Department of Transportation’s final rule for the safe transportation of flammable liquids by rail issued on May 1, 2015:
• Requires “any high-hazard flammable unit train (HHFUT) —a train comprised of 70 or more loaded tank cars containing Class 3 flammable liquids traveling at greater than 30 mph— transporting at least one packing group I flammable liquid be operated with an electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) braking system by January 1, 2021"
• "Requires all other HHFUTs be operated with an ECP braking system by May 1, 2023."
• And has a timetable for the retrofit of affected tank car for use in North American high-hazard flammable trains (HHFTs) that, depending on the tank car type and service, ranges from May 1, 2017 to May 1, 2025. https://www.transportation.gov/mission/safety/rail-rule-summary
It isn’t enough deadline-extension that the US Department of Transportation’s final rule for the safe transportation of flammable liquids by rail issued on May 1, 2015:
• Requires “any high-hazard flammable unit train (HHFUT) —a train comprised of 70 or more loaded tank cars containing Class 3 flammable liquids traveling at greater than 30 mph— transporting at least one packing group I flammable liquid be operated with an electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) braking system by January 1, 2021"
• "Requires all other HHFUTs be operated with an ECP braking system by May 1, 2023."
• And has a timetable for the retrofit of affected tank car for use in North American high-hazard flammable trains (HHFTs) that, depending on the tank car type and service, ranges from May 1, 2017 to May 1, 2025. https://www.transportation.gov/mission/safety/rail-rule-summary
3
"Many commuter railroads in New York, Chicago and elsewhere are struggling to install train-control systems because Congress has not appropriated enough money for cash-strapped transit systems to buy equipment and pay for the radio spectrum over which the devices relay information."
Just one of many infrastructure problems that this do-nothing Congress has failed to address. Oh, they have time to conduct multiple Benghazi hearings, and to posture and strut during this political season. And they have time to work to defund Planned Parenthood and otherwise play up to the Religious Right.
But serious work on infrastructure legislation like advanced safety controls for trains (routine in Europe) and allocations of funds for highway and bridge repairs before some catastrophe leads to the deaths of unwitting travelers.
The Times Editorial Board can make all the recommendations it wants but the simple fact is this: Infrastructure funding is not on the GOP radar because it simply doesn't fit into their political agenda for 2016.
Just one of many infrastructure problems that this do-nothing Congress has failed to address. Oh, they have time to conduct multiple Benghazi hearings, and to posture and strut during this political season. And they have time to work to defund Planned Parenthood and otherwise play up to the Religious Right.
But serious work on infrastructure legislation like advanced safety controls for trains (routine in Europe) and allocations of funds for highway and bridge repairs before some catastrophe leads to the deaths of unwitting travelers.
The Times Editorial Board can make all the recommendations it wants but the simple fact is this: Infrastructure funding is not on the GOP radar because it simply doesn't fit into their political agenda for 2016.
34
Another unfunded mandate by a government strapped for money.
2
It's not a lack of time, Christine, and I think you know that. It's a matter of who should pay for what. If commuter rails in New York can't afford to install the safety system, let them raise fares. If bridges need maintaining, let the tolls go up. The only fair way to pay for infrastructure is to directly charge those that use it, based solely on how much use they get.
1
This advice by the NY Times Editorial Board has all the ear marks of, say, Obama's "red line" in the desert sands of Syria.
How many times has the great Editorial Board stumped for decisive and penalty-laden deadlines only to cave at the last minute, just like Obama, just because the consequences of the failure to meet the deadlines are just too great to accept.
The Editorial Board talks a good game, but guess what it always is...
Just talk ! ! !
How many times has the great Editorial Board stumped for decisive and penalty-laden deadlines only to cave at the last minute, just like Obama, just because the consequences of the failure to meet the deadlines are just too great to accept.
The Editorial Board talks a good game, but guess what it always is...
Just talk ! ! !
2
Nice pivot. Well played. It's all about Obama, isn't it?
4
What are they supposed to do, go out and start laying rail?
1
Nope...
But Obama and his red lines are a perfect example of the phenomenon, are they not?
But Obama and his red lines are a perfect example of the phenomenon, are they not?
1
As I understand it, the Senate has passed a bipartisan transportation bill that includes an extension for train control. If it doesn't the amendment is simply attached. But that bill has languished in a dysfunctional House. So what else is new. It's one thing for a group for 40 house members to create a ruckus, unconscionable for them to stop train travel across the country.
5
Passenger rail safety surely needs improving with modern updated speed controls and so on. That is clear enough but the more dangerous rail issue of highly unstable oil exploding while being shipped on rail lines. These trains travel all across the country and through all population centers, urban, rural and suburban. They have already caused numerous deaths as well as massive environmental damage. These trains and their cargo are so dangerous that they are now commonly referred to as bomb trains. The outrageous icing on the cake is that all of this hazard, pollution, destruction and death is occurring so that a few people can make large financial profits on their dirty oil. It's beyond belief.
This situation demands immediate action. If not the awful massacre in Quebec in 2013 where 47 were killed and a town destroyed in a bomb train explosion will not be the last slaughter in the name of dirty oil profits.
This situation demands immediate action. If not the awful massacre in Quebec in 2013 where 47 were killed and a town destroyed in a bomb train explosion will not be the last slaughter in the name of dirty oil profits.
3
Before the Chatsworth multi-fatality crash, there had been another in nearby Glendale. In response to that first accident, my scientist friend and I designed and patented a train mounted electronic system that projects an RF signal down the tracks in front of the moving train and reads the return signals like a radar system to detect obstacles or oncoming trains. Automated, real-time and inexpensive, this disruptive technology was shunned by officials at DHS and at every level down to MetroRail in Los Angeles.
3
That's great but I thought the problem they're talking about here is speed too fast for approaching curves. How does an impediment alarm help that?
Phil, don't try to solve an issue with a simple, inexpensive solution. Government likes complex, expensive solutions that include billions so they can get their pork money and pay off their cronies with contracts.
This time I am on the side of the railroads. Making trains, or any form of transportation, more safer should be a no-brainer. Like Congress. I would venture a guess that somehow, someway, somewhere there are gobs of money behind whatever decisions are required. But then, why save lives when we can expend them so easily in various wars around the world? Nobody notices, anyhow..............
5
How is that being on the side of the foot dragging railroads?
1
NY Times editorial suggests that Congress do something to help the American People? Surely you jest. There only two things on the mind of this GOPer dominated legislative branch: Do only that which will make President Obama look bad, and torpedo Hillary's chances of getting elected by screaming Benghazi! Benghazi! Benghazi!
14
Why didn't the Dems do this PTC when they were in power?
1
Well, OD, they were probably preoccupied with reaching across the aisle during that very short two-year stretch.
Its just pathetic at this day and age we still have train/rail 'events'. But unfortunately the maligned neglect of infrastructure, including rail, have been happening with ever greater frequency and consequence.
2
...and you thought it was just banana republics wherein the super-rich would keep the government from spending money on the peons....
What is the plausible argument against rail safety? Indeed, what is the argument against public financing of infrastructure improvements? Do we really want to follow the Chinese model of limited regulation and oversight with the concomitant risks of devastating accidents? maybe we already have a domestic model of what people want? When American economic and technological expansion began early in the 19th century there was one group who resisted every effort to federally finance and build roads, railroads, canals, ports and other similar improvements. It was the slave-holding South - as paranoid about change and progress as their contemporary descendants who have learned nothing from the past.
2
Why on Earth would Congress appropriate funds to make our railways safe? All their focus is on the looming Benghazi hearings which have been exposed as a hoax. Why on Earth be responsible for safety and efficiency in moving people and goods on the nation's aging rail systems? No, Congress spends millions on repealing the ACA and getting its knickers in a twist over Planned Parenthood's alleged trafficking in embryo organs. Rail safety? The beginning of a serious upgrading of the crumbling grid that extends from sea to shining sea? No. Better (again) direct the nation's attention to what happened in a Libyan town in 2012 to shame Hillary Clinton than to attend to the nation's very urgent imperatives.
24
Many years ago railroads had at least two persons in the cab of all train engines. From the legacy of the steam era the assistant to the engineer was commonly known as the fireman. After diesel/electric took over the propulsion method freight trains and some passenger trains continued to have a second person in the cab, either still called the firemen or the conductor or one of the brakemen. In the 1970's the engineer and the second person in the cab were required to call out the indication showing on each wayside signal (eg: medium-approach-slow, etc). As John Graubard comments . . . the railroads can resolve almost all of the human error problems by tonight by placing a second person in the locomotive cab with the engineer. Yes, it may be difficult to come up with sufficient personnel with sufficient training to implement tonight, but it would go a long way towards preventing human-caused catastrophes.
5
The GOP has long been dedicated to the destruction of the Post Office and Amtrak. Bleeding money from one and underfunding the other are how they've been doing it.
The modern world requires a major refit of both, one to conform to modern communication methods, the other to provide mass transit of the highest standards.
The modern world requires a major refit of both, one to conform to modern communication methods, the other to provide mass transit of the highest standards.
11
All well and good but where is the money to come from? Extracting other peoples' money or borrowing is not sustainable. Maybe we should accept that the US is becoming a third world country.
Extracting other peoples' money....is not....sustainable...OH, you mean taxation, OD? Like when Ike built the Interstate Highway System and taxes on the wealthiest were around 90%? Oh, yeah, OD, yeah, you're right - that's not sustainable, oh, no way...not after Citizen's United, of course.
Congress should do many things. First and foremost, members of Congress should govern--or get out of the way.
14
The PTC system mandated by Washington is a one size fits all solution. I suspect the technology will work but it isn't as simple as many commenters here think. The Pennsylvania Railroad had a simple system in place nearly 40 years ago but it was restricted to certain sections of the mainline from NT to DC. Whatever is installed must be reliable and work overtime. Big projects typically have numerous glitches. Healthcare.gov still doesn't work properly...
2
Why not get rid of the trains altogether and employ the children of undocumented workers to serve as sherpa's carrying stock brokers and bankers on their backs back and forth from the financial district to train stations in Scarsdale and Pelham and so forth? They could walk the tracks which would no longer have trains running on them and they would not be deported as long as they did not unionize or demand coffee breaks. I am sending this off with my resume to the Trump folks hoping for a nice job on his policy team.
23
Sure. Give them some more time. For that matter, give VW seven years to sort out its issues, too. Anyhow, Positive Train Control, despite its halting, shakey rollout on scattered stretches of track, does carry the potential to make America's railroads less-dangerous neighbours and workplaces. So, allow the railroads whatever they need to make these vital improvements happen, whether time, money, or other resources, particularly insofar as these improvements may mitigate the effects of "negligence and error." Meanwhile, though, a simple, low-tech fix already exists: don't allow the railroads to use tired crews. On any given train, strong odds suggest that the person running it hasn't been afforded appropriate rest. In fact, it's not uncommon that a train engineer's projected on-duty time changes--frequently with little or no notice--up to half a calendar day, or more! An engineer instructed to plan rest for an 8am call can easily have his trip--legally of up to twelve hours' duration, but often longer--pushed back well into the night. And vice versa. Even in the most egregious of cases, the train crew worker does not possess the ability to decline a train call, without punishment. The obvious result? Trains--loaded with chlorine, or ammonia, or crude oil--operated by tired, dozing crews. We shouldn't tolerate this for pilots, semi operators, school bus drivers or even common motorists; nor should we for train engineers, regardless of when the railroads at last implement PTC.
14
The safeguards are verifying the legitimacy of the delays, lockboxing the funds and monitoring the operation. If Congress gives up control of the safety issue, the radio spectrum, if legit, will be brought to you by the same people who promise you a terrific railroad - for one class. Crash test cars platform here.
There is a very low-tech solution that will (1) allow for an extension for the railroads to implement PTC, (2) protect passengers and freight in the meantime, and (3) give the railroads a strong incentive to get the work done quickly.
Simply allow as an alternative to PTC over the next three years a railroad to place a second person in the cab. Ideally, that person should be equally qualified with the engineer, but because there might be a shortage of such persons there should be a six month period during which the qualification requirement would be waived if that second person were otherwise qualified to work on a train, were a retiree who had been qualified, or were a supervisor.
Increasing labor costs should have the effect of "motivating" management!
Simply allow as an alternative to PTC over the next three years a railroad to place a second person in the cab. Ideally, that person should be equally qualified with the engineer, but because there might be a shortage of such persons there should be a six month period during which the qualification requirement would be waived if that second person were otherwise qualified to work on a train, were a retiree who had been qualified, or were a supervisor.
Increasing labor costs should have the effect of "motivating" management!
20
DUTY TO PROTECT It is my understanding that, by paying their fare, passengers have a contract with the public transportation entity to safe conveyance to their destinations. Congress, though confounded by members unwilling to legislate or govern, must make every effort to extend this legislation. After all, a majority of them most likely use public transit in DC.
1
I think the attitude, "bad things must NEVER happen" is itself harmful. We are a planet of 7 billion people, already close to exhausting the planet's resources in terms of air, water, and other species whom we need, even if we do not value THEIR lives. I have read that many of Syria's problems are caused by a drought causing havoc.
To bring about massive changes in public policy every time something happens that we do not like may not be wise. We will be lurching from one social paradigm to another.
Steve Goldberg asks, "Just how many passengers must die " and my answer is that given a global life expectancy of 70 years, a 100 million people will die this year and we ALL will die eventually.
Of course we should do our best to save lives and I suspect that better attention to infrastructure is long overdue.
But eventually, King Canute has a lesson for us, a lesson in humility that most of the world has learned but which America is steadfastly avoiding.
To bring about massive changes in public policy every time something happens that we do not like may not be wise. We will be lurching from one social paradigm to another.
Steve Goldberg asks, "Just how many passengers must die " and my answer is that given a global life expectancy of 70 years, a 100 million people will die this year and we ALL will die eventually.
Of course we should do our best to save lives and I suspect that better attention to infrastructure is long overdue.
But eventually, King Canute has a lesson for us, a lesson in humility that most of the world has learned but which America is steadfastly avoiding.
2
@Rohit in NY: Huh? You 'logic' is that we all die eventually (true) so why bother with safety measures even if we have them? While we do die eventually, many die decades too early in preventable accidents. Why would a civilized society not prevent disasters when it can? By your logic, we would do away with elevator inspectors, fire codes, and highway rules all of which cost money and keep people safe/alive - people who will, as you point out, die anyway.
Your comment about Syria makes no sense whatsoever. Syria's problem is civil war, not drought. While the part of the world, in general, is chronically short of water (parts of it are desert), Syria has both desert in the south and Fertile Crescent in the north. Still, war is the main problem. That said, you draw your "fact" about drought in out of the blue and make no real point about it.
Your comment about Syria makes no sense whatsoever. Syria's problem is civil war, not drought. While the part of the world, in general, is chronically short of water (parts of it are desert), Syria has both desert in the south and Fertile Crescent in the north. Still, war is the main problem. That said, you draw your "fact" about drought in out of the blue and make no real point about it.
16
Simple safety measures practiced around the civilized world are "massive changes in public policy?"
7
No Anne, I am NOT saying that we should not bother with safety measures. For instance, after John Nash's accidental death in New Jersey, I do fasten my seat belt even when I am in the back seat. I do believe in doing something about global warming and I do believe in background checks before letting a person buy a gun.
But every measure has side effects. Indeed the Iraq war was an example of the US seeking extreme safety in an unsafe world. We spent trillions of dollars and killed many Iraqis only to now see Iraq as an ally of Russia and Iran.
Some safety measures make sense and some do not. Ultimately it is a judgment call. But absolute safety? It is unattainable.
But every measure has side effects. Indeed the Iraq war was an example of the US seeking extreme safety in an unsafe world. We spent trillions of dollars and killed many Iraqis only to now see Iraq as an ally of Russia and Iran.
Some safety measures make sense and some do not. Ultimately it is a judgment call. But absolute safety? It is unattainable.
2
I think the three year extension is fine. As it benefits railroads, no great need to involve the Railroad Bureau.
2
Just how many passengers must die before the railway executives and Congress take their responsibility seriously? The problem was identified many years ago, and many deadlines for completion of the safety devices have already been extended. This is among the many reasons polls show that the majority of people feel this country is on the wrong track.
15
"On the wrong track." That's a good one... That would be good name for a report on train safety.
2
"Other railroads were delayed because they did not realize they needed permits from the Federal Communications Commission to place antennas along tracks on tribal lands, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office."
Why on earth is there such a requirement? This reminds me of the requirement on federal construction projects to catalog every Amerindian artifact within one mile of the site, something that cumulatively has added billions of dollars to construction costs over time.
I am guessing this was something passed during the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.
Why on earth is there such a requirement? This reminds me of the requirement on federal construction projects to catalog every Amerindian artifact within one mile of the site, something that cumulatively has added billions of dollars to construction costs over time.
I am guessing this was something passed during the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.
Amanda: Tribal lands are tribal, not federal or private. Some deference to that fact seems appropriate.
24
So let me get this straight. They had 7 years to get this done and now you want to give them another 3 years plus 2 for testing. I say let them go bankrupt these institutions are clearly not interested in operating in the US anyway. Someone will buy there assets and they will probably magically be able to accomplish this much faster than 10 years or even the 3+2 you are suggesting.
These excuses sound like something a DIY'er would do building a table or some other small project. "Oh shoot I forgot to get screws! Guess I'll have to wait till next weekend."
These excuses sound like something a DIY'er would do building a table or some other small project. "Oh shoot I forgot to get screws! Guess I'll have to wait till next weekend."
9
Great analogy. And in related news, the federal budget is just like your kitchen-table budget!
2
Congress getting anything done would be a real shocker.
8
Excuses. excuses, excuses. Missed deadlines. And after several horrific accidents. If the Congress and the railroads had acted responsibly, PTC would be up and running where it is needed. But since we have a dysfunctional Congress and since the rails are the stepchild of mass transportation, we are once again asked to wait. So how does Western Europe do it? With a solid commitment from government. Time to adopt that system in the US and make the railroads a source of efficiency and pride.
44
So much easier to administer the transportation of a country a fraction of the USA's size, n'est ce pas?
1
Tell the railroads to pull their heads out, quit paying the jerks that make too much money, and FIX YOUR PROBLEMS...
1
The original crash that started the PTC mandate was caused by a contract employye of a public railroad running through a signal; not by the failure of the private railroad who is now spending hundreds of millions of private dollars for an unfunded mandate.
2
I support your editorial position that the deadline should be extended. I would further note that when Congress mandated Positive Train Control (PTC) in 2008, PTC was a concept, not a functioning system. Its components had not yet even been designed, let alone manufactured and available for purchase off the shelf. Congress made a mistake when it assumed that a new system could be brought online nationwide within seven years.
9
Our dysfunctional, underfunded, gridlocked government passes a law seven years ago to install these safety features. The government doesn't have the staff to monitor and enforce the law. The railroads don't comply and provide the standard set of excuses. We didn't know this or that. What they did know is that they didn't want to spend the money.
Contrast this situation to the FAA, which is fairly well funded. The FAA provides engineers, contractors, and operators with a tremendous amount of criteria that covers the building and operation of airports and the management of air space. They have the authority to levy fines and shut down operations. The railroads are private. They own the rail lines. They have to make money. Profit rules. They are not governed by a body with the power of the FAA.
The improvements were not made and now we have a problem. I believe would be a classic touché. The rails know that shutting down would cripple the economy. This gives them leverage for the delay. They won. Strong private critical infrastructure bypasses weak government. Privatization of critical infrastructure often gets in the way of public saftey.
Contrast this situation to the FAA, which is fairly well funded. The FAA provides engineers, contractors, and operators with a tremendous amount of criteria that covers the building and operation of airports and the management of air space. They have the authority to levy fines and shut down operations. The railroads are private. They own the rail lines. They have to make money. Profit rules. They are not governed by a body with the power of the FAA.
The improvements were not made and now we have a problem. I believe would be a classic touché. The rails know that shutting down would cripple the economy. This gives them leverage for the delay. They won. Strong private critical infrastructure bypasses weak government. Privatization of critical infrastructure often gets in the way of public saftey.
37
My late father and my brother were both railroad engineered for years, running commuter trains to Chicago. I couldn't agree more with this editorial. When it comes to the safety of it's passengers they must have the latest technology in place. There is no excuse for any delay in funding and implementing these changes
10
Congress should long have passed legislation to rebuild our nation's infrastructure. That includes dangerous railroads, bridges and roads. That includes roads that, since Congress has stopped functioning, have been auctioned off to corporations which turned them into more expensive toll roads that citizens must pay to use, in lieu of paying more efficiently through taxes.
If this isn't bad enough, the last serious rail accident happened the day before Congress was to vote on a budget that included Amtrak. Instead of increasing funding, it was decreased.
Asking for this Congress to do anything that any normal government does is pointless. They won't. The Republicans who are currently in charge (I use that term loosely and cynically) have, as their mission, the drowning of our government (remember Grover Norquist?).
At least one house of Congress must turn blue next election. The continued dominance of a dysfunctional Republican party all but assures the further deterioration not only of our transportation networks, but the entire nation, by just letting democracy languish and lapse into a plutocratic age.
If this isn't bad enough, the last serious rail accident happened the day before Congress was to vote on a budget that included Amtrak. Instead of increasing funding, it was decreased.
Asking for this Congress to do anything that any normal government does is pointless. They won't. The Republicans who are currently in charge (I use that term loosely and cynically) have, as their mission, the drowning of our government (remember Grover Norquist?).
At least one house of Congress must turn blue next election. The continued dominance of a dysfunctional Republican party all but assures the further deterioration not only of our transportation networks, but the entire nation, by just letting democracy languish and lapse into a plutocratic age.
57
It is curious that you say that Congress stopped functioning. Correct me if I am wrong but didn't Harry Reid fail to pass a budget for 4 years? How many continuing resolutions to fund the government?
What was the $46 billion from the Stimulus for? What happened to the vaunted shovel ready jobs? Can you tell me why they couldn't start and finish projects? That's your party.
Your party had both chambers from 2007-2011 Why didn't they do what you said. Why didn't they propose an increase in funding for roads and bridges. And can you explain to me why Obama would sign a bill cutting funding? Because only his signature on a bill requesting that would pass. So what was the bill called and when did he sign it?
Why do you constantly make statements that you cannot prove. It's the goal of the GOP to drown government? Back it up with facts. Yours is nothing more than a very biased opinion.
How do you explain the bipartisan effort by then R Senator Corker and D Senator Murphy to raise the gas tax 12 cents over 2 years as a means of funding the Transportation fund? (2014) Do nothing Congress?
Can you explain the Wall Street Journal article dated 7/21/2015 where it says
"Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell announced a preliminary agreement on a six year highway bill with "3 years of guaranteed funding" for the HTF. The agreement was reached with Senator Barbara Boxer. Democrats are holding it up.
Your comments do not stand up to the facts. Better luck next time
What was the $46 billion from the Stimulus for? What happened to the vaunted shovel ready jobs? Can you tell me why they couldn't start and finish projects? That's your party.
Your party had both chambers from 2007-2011 Why didn't they do what you said. Why didn't they propose an increase in funding for roads and bridges. And can you explain to me why Obama would sign a bill cutting funding? Because only his signature on a bill requesting that would pass. So what was the bill called and when did he sign it?
Why do you constantly make statements that you cannot prove. It's the goal of the GOP to drown government? Back it up with facts. Yours is nothing more than a very biased opinion.
How do you explain the bipartisan effort by then R Senator Corker and D Senator Murphy to raise the gas tax 12 cents over 2 years as a means of funding the Transportation fund? (2014) Do nothing Congress?
Can you explain the Wall Street Journal article dated 7/21/2015 where it says
"Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell announced a preliminary agreement on a six year highway bill with "3 years of guaranteed funding" for the HTF. The agreement was reached with Senator Barbara Boxer. Democrats are holding it up.
Your comments do not stand up to the facts. Better luck next time
5
"Correct me if I am wrong but didn't Harry Reid fail to pass a budget for 4 years?"
Harry Reid is not "Congress."
So yes, you're wrong.
Glad I could help.
Harry Reid is not "Congress."
So yes, you're wrong.
Glad I could help.
5
Healed,
Surely even you know that no one house of Congress passes budgets... Right?
Surely even you know that no one house of Congress passes budgets... Right?
6
Railroads are inherently dangerous. Trains can weight twice a coastal ship doing container feeder service, or a smaller product tanker ship. They cruise through the center of populations, utterly unstoppable by any effort of the engineer with less than miles of effort.
Safety has improved steadily, for well over a hundred years, from an awful level. Much of the improvement was required by law, and resisted.
Many more changes will no doubt come. They still won't make railroads "safe." They'll get safer, but by definition they'll never be safe.
This particular legal change is met by stalling. So have many that have gone before. So will many that follow.
We got to the near-shutdown point by letting no-progress stall on until it becomes impossible to make the current deadline. Surprise! Okay, we let that happen. That was stupid, but we did. Allow more time, but don't let this happen again.
And we must remember that rail safety won't be "achieved" with this. It will never be achieved. It deserves steady pressure for steady progress, but it will never arrive at total safety. This should be done. It isn't enough. We can never stop working on greater rail safety. It is a never ending drive to improve.
It isn't just railroads. We don't rest content with safety in the air or at sea either. We continue to have concerns for auto accident safety. We always seek improvements.
But trains are growing larger in more crowded space. They need a lot of attention.
Safety has improved steadily, for well over a hundred years, from an awful level. Much of the improvement was required by law, and resisted.
Many more changes will no doubt come. They still won't make railroads "safe." They'll get safer, but by definition they'll never be safe.
This particular legal change is met by stalling. So have many that have gone before. So will many that follow.
We got to the near-shutdown point by letting no-progress stall on until it becomes impossible to make the current deadline. Surprise! Okay, we let that happen. That was stupid, but we did. Allow more time, but don't let this happen again.
And we must remember that rail safety won't be "achieved" with this. It will never be achieved. It deserves steady pressure for steady progress, but it will never arrive at total safety. This should be done. It isn't enough. We can never stop working on greater rail safety. It is a never ending drive to improve.
It isn't just railroads. We don't rest content with safety in the air or at sea either. We continue to have concerns for auto accident safety. We always seek improvements.
But trains are growing larger in more crowded space. They need a lot of attention.
12
What are tbe odds of this Congress revising laws and appropriating funds to avoid a shutdown of rail service in the Democratic Northeast? I wouldn't take that bet, even at 10 to 1.
But you can bet there is some serious horsetrading going behind the scenes.
"OK, we cut out Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood and roll back new EPA rules on coal power plants and waterways and millions of your liberals get to work on time, at least for 3 more months.
But if you want the debt ceiling too, that's gonna cost you a little more. We're thinking off-shore oil permits, our favorite little pipeline from the tar pits and restoring the Bush tax cuts.
And forget about the Highway Trust Fund. You can't afford it, unless you want to help us get rid of Obamacare, root and branch.
But I did hear that the bitumin from those tar sands is great for filling potholes. Just avoid the bridges."
But you can bet there is some serious horsetrading going behind the scenes.
"OK, we cut out Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood and roll back new EPA rules on coal power plants and waterways and millions of your liberals get to work on time, at least for 3 more months.
But if you want the debt ceiling too, that's gonna cost you a little more. We're thinking off-shore oil permits, our favorite little pipeline from the tar pits and restoring the Bush tax cuts.
And forget about the Highway Trust Fund. You can't afford it, unless you want to help us get rid of Obamacare, root and branch.
But I did hear that the bitumin from those tar sands is great for filling potholes. Just avoid the bridges."
25
The railroads had plenty of time to address this. Treat this threat as a terrorist threat and do not negotiate with them. In fact, make sure it's clear that their leadership will be arrested and tried for terrorism if their schedules change by even one minute.