Lawmakers push for better technology after Metro-North derailment

<p>Lawmakers are calling for Positive Train Control to be put in place immediately following an MTA train derailment Thursday.</p>

News 12 Staff

May 19, 2017, 1:08 PM

Updated 2,539 days ago

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Lawmakers push for better technology after Metro-North derailment
Lawmakers are calling for better technology a day after a Metro-North derailment.
Metro-North said the train that derailed had left the Stamford, Connecticut station with about 185 people on board. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino said that while the cause of the derailment is under investigation, speed likely played a role. He says the train appeared to have been traveling around the bend near the Rye station at a speed higher than the 10 mph limit there.
The latest derailment has lawmakers calling for Positive Train Control to be put in place immediately. PTC is an advanced system designed to automatically stop a train before certain accidents occur.
In a statement, Rep. Eliot Engel said. "We have witnessed too many train derailments in recent years. It's long past time that we upgraded our rail lines and retrofitted all our trains with PTC technology." 
Thirteen people were injured in the derailment, including the train's conductor. The other passengers were evacuated and able to board another train to their destination.
There were still minor delays Friday on the New Haven lines. Metro-North said there was "significant" damage to concrete railroad ties in the area.
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate whether speed played a role in the derailment.
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