Amtrak Train Derailment And
Positive Train Control (PTC)
Jennifer A. Alkasmikha
Oakland University, Professor Cynthia E. Miree-Coppin, Ph.D.
May 26,2015

Abstract
This current events paper discusses the tragic Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 derailment that occurred on Tuesday night May 13, 2015 in Philadelphia and the issue that this tragedy could have been avoided with simple preventative measures. The derailment left eight people dead and over two hundred more passengers injured. The engineer, Brandon Bostian, survived the wreck but suffered a concussion and as a result cannot remember the cause of the wreck. While the cause of the derailment has yet to be determined, officials speculate that a few common reasons are most likely the cause of this incident; train or track malfunction, human error, or a combination of both. Experts agree, however, that whether this tragedy was a cause of human error or not, simple preventative measures should have been in place that could have prevented this from happening. The preventive measure is called Positive Train Control (PTC). This technology is capable of automatically slowing down a train that is traveling at a speed too high for certain predetermined speed restricted stretches of railway. If human error, traveling at a speed greater than allowance occurred, the PTC has the ability to kick in and automatically slow down the train preventing such disasters. Also if a medical emergency occurred leaving the engineer incapacitated PTC would prove its effectiveness as well. Creating a more efficient swot analysis of internal environments for strengths and weaknesses and external environments for opportunities and threats should have alerted Amtrak managers to this potential threat and the need for preventative measures.

Amtrak Derailment And Positive Train Control (PTC) While traveling down the Washington-New York corridor on Tuesday night May 13, 2015, Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 jumped the tracks as it was rounding a curve and derailed. This tragic derailment killed eight people and injured hundreds more and shut down train service along the busy Northeast corridor. While the cause of the wreck is still unknown experts agree that it was a cause of human error, train or track malfunction, or both. The engineer of the train, Brandon Bostian, survived the crash with a concussion however claims to have no memory of the events that led up to the crash and since he was alone at the helm the cause will remain unknown. The information that can be pieced together through investigation shows that the train was traveling at a speed of 70 mph and about a minute before it headed into a sharp curve accelerated to 106 mph seconds before it derailed. It is unknown if Bostian accelerated manually but a data recorder shows that full emergency brakes were engaged seconds before the derailment. The speed limit for this curve is 50 mph. A key question to this investigation is what caused the train to pick up speed traveling twice the speed limit for the curve it was approaching rather than slowing down? Was it human error or equipment malfunction? Preliminary inspections found no problems with the track, signals, or locomotive. The site where the crash happened is an extremely heavily used stretch of track and the railway has a hard time keeping it in a state of good repair. Also, Investigators did find a grapefruit-size fracture on the locomotive’s windshield and say they’re uncertain whether anything struck the train (NBC4,Washington 2015). Personally, I believe that the media is completely downplaying this discovery. Something caused the fracture on the windshield and I believe it has something to do with the derailment. It turns out that this particular incident has occurred a few times in the past. The cause was unknown back then too. I don’t understand how authorities let that go. The engineer voluntarily submitted to a blood test and was cleared of suspicion of alcohol or drug influence. Authorities have pulled Bostians phone records to see if maybe his phone distracted him at the time of the crash. Investigation is still pending. Regardless of the cause of the derailment, a simple preventative measure called Positive Train Control (PTC) could have prevented this tragedy. Positive Train Control is a system that combines GPS, wireless radio and computers to monitor trains and stop them from colliding, derailing, or speeding and was designed to prevent human error. If the operation of a locomotive is not in accordance with speed limits, signals, or other guidelines, PTC has the ability to slow or stop the train. This system is comprised of little black box sensors that are installed in the cab usually near the engine. Wireless beacons that trigger PTC are installed on the railroad tracks. The negative aspect of PTC is that it is extremely costly. The Federal Railroad Administration estimates that it would cost $875 million for initial installation. Additional operating costs and installation are estimated to at $9.5 - $13.2 billion over a twenty year period. In 2008, Congress mandated PTC technology to be implemented in all railways by 2015 to avoid such incidents. Amtrak claims that denial of access to wireless spectrum is the reason that they have not yet implemented this technology into all of their railways. Wireless Spectrum is the frequencies that power technologies ranging from FM radio and satellite communication to mobile phones and Wi-Fi routers. Access to Spectrum is expensive and is regulated. Discrepancies between the 2008 legislation mandating PTC usage did not instruct the FCC to allocate expensive spectrum licenses to railroads (CNN.com 2015). Amtrak was denied access to this valuable commercial spectrum. The FCC states that this rare spectrum has to be acquired through auction or third parties. The FCC informed the railroad industry previously that if it wanted exclusive use of this spectrum, it would have to consult with existing license holders through secondary markets to negotiate a lease or purchase deal. To sum up, Amtrak does not have PTC installed in all of its railways because it is extremely expensive and will not meet the December 2015 deadline. External environment Analysis is a key concept from strategic management that could have prevented this tragedy from occurring. A component to identifying strategy is to take action to upgrade, build, or acquire competitively important resources and capabilities. Changes in technology and wireless devices should prompt a company to adjust key elements of their operations. Evolving strategy means adapting to new conditions. Legal and regulatory factors play a crucial role in strategy formation. The FCC mandated in 2008 that all railways integrate PTC. A good strategy should have dynamic capability to modify existing resources. A swot analysis should have prompted Amtrak officials years ago to assess its threats and weaknesses, its inferior capabilities in key areas. The threats and weaknesses Amtrak officials should have been privy to include; railway features that are inferior to rivals; tarnished image or reputation from previous wrecks; obsolete technology; costly new regulatory requirements; and advancement in technology (PTC). Management should have previously scanned the external environment for opportunities and threats and the internal environment for strengths and weaknesses. A triggering event is something that stimulates a change in strategy. The May 2015 derailment was not the first incident for Amtrak. It was actually the ninth incident this year. A swot analysis should have prompted Amtrak to assess their overall strategy and to prompt them to take action to correct or improve these weaknesses and threats in their railway. They have had seven years to take some kind of preventative measure to protect their passengers. The NTSB released data that shows since 2004, there have been at least 25 train accidents, 65 fatalities, and 1100 injuries, all of which could have been prevented by PTC (Lucey, Michael, Calabrese and Patricks). Amtrak should place more value on lives than their bottom line. Amtrak will likely lose customers as a result of this last incident. Their profit margin will likely decrease and market share will decline. Passengers are more aware of PTC now thanks to media coverage and online news reports. It will be clear to the public now that Amtrak did not follow FCC protocol because of the hefty sum it would bear on their bottom line. The company’s image is tarnished and they will have to do some major damage control to gain back customers and market share. Amtrak needs to follow what has basically been mandated to become protocol for the railway industry, to integrate PTC at any cost. Their image and reputation cannot suffer any more incidents if they want to continue to do business. Officials at Amtrak should also do a better job of analyzing internal and external environments and form a strategy consistent with the results of the assessment. I do not believe they were efficient in this strategy in the past. The data was there showing the risks of not integrating PTC and they still have not completed the task. The potential positive implications of this recommendation will save lives and slowly build their credibility back up over time. The potential negative implication for Amtrak will be less profit and earnings but it is essential if they want to stay in business. This is newsworthy because we all have loved ones who have taken a train before and we should be aware of the industry standards so that we may make more informed decisions.

Works Cited
Lucey, Michael Calabrese and Patrick. "Are Our Policies on Access to the Airwaves Responsible for Last Week’s Amtrak Crash? ." N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2015/05/amtrak_train_derailment_positive_train_control_and_wireless_spectrum_policy.2.html>.
"What We Know About Deadly Amtrak Accident." NBC4 Washington. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/What-We-Know-About-Deadly-Amtrak-Accident-304819231.html>.
"Amtrak Train Thought to Be Going 100 Mph - CNN.com." CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/13/us/philadelphia-amtrak-train-derailment/>.