Respond to prefers-color-scheme dark in app web views

Follow section front redirects in Spectrum

Enable NLP source in PCS for load testing

Switch off the News Alerts Survey Widget when we have enough responses

Poll to determine if new LUF updates are available

Allows the winning A/B test variant to be turned on without Spectrum deployment

Show infinite scrolling sections in Assembler MultiView

Show option for NLP article summaries in Action Bar

A general feature flag for Recipe Features that aren't yet released

Feature flag for media team features that aren't yet released

Use new Orca video player for preroll plugin in Spectrum

Show the snow tracker (instead of the heat tracker) on Spectrum

Adaptive adventures are making national parks more inclusive

Man arrested at Yellowstone for allegedly kicking bison while drunk

Southwest passengers now get a $75 voucher for big flight disruptions

Biden’s internet-for-all program needs Musk’s help

Election 2024 live updates: Trump holds rallies in Wisconsin, Michigan during court break

The tech billionaires who helped ban TikTok want to write AI rules for Trump

UnitedHealth grew very big. Now, some lawmakers want to chop it down.

The new face of flooding

How celebrity tequilas are changing the very nature of tequila

Carolyn Hax: Too late to accept a decade-old apology, accidentally left unread?

I coach my son’s sports team. Why is he so disrespectful during practice?

Miss Manners: How to decline donation requests at checkout

France shows its anger on May Day ahead of Paris Olympics

One photo, one night in Rafah

Is Bougainville the next battleground between China and the U.S.?

Riding the rails with hobos and crust punks

In photos: Violence erupts at campuses as activists and counterprotesters clash

Drone video shows trapped baby orca in B.C. lagoon

A murder plot that cannot be ignored: India must come clean at last

How to confront antisemitism, deal with protests — and respect free speech

Is student loan debt an emergency? Take our quiz.

How to make the most of Passport DC’s free embassy tours

Where to watch the Kentucky Derby in D.C.

Chance to move over .500 slips away as Nats lose to reigning champs

Biden is aiming increasingly personal and sarcastic jabs at Trump

Eric Adams’s condescending dismissal of the ‘children’ at Columbia

Use these 6 points to say no to a college you and your kid can’t afford

How this new rule protects retirement savers from costly advice

Borrowers, don’t miss this important student loan forgiveness deadline

Cat climbed into Amazon return box, found alive 630 miles away

I learned to heal my sadness by cradling dying chickens 

Brave Little Hunter is free: Baby orca escapes lagoon for open seas

 Donald Trump Speaks During A Campaign Rally In Green Bay Wisconsin

Ted S. Warren

It’s been a week since an Amtrak train derailed in rural Montana, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2021/09/27/amtrak-derailment-montana-ntsb/" target=_blank>killing three people and injuring dozens more</a>. Federal investigators are working to determine what caused the derailment, which halted freight and passenger service for days.

Images showing train cars decoupled as others landed on their side raised a question for unsettled travelers: How often does this happen?

According to experts and federal rail incident data, such occurrences — already rare — are becoming even less frequent.

“Derailments that involve passenger injuries or fatalities are extremely rare,” said Allan Zarembski, director of the Railroad Engineering and Safety Program at the University of Delaware. “But does the very rare one happen? Yes. But again, it’s a very, very low probability event.”

Industry-wide, derailments themselves aren’t uncommon, but most don’t result in injuries. Amtrak derailments make up about 2 percent of all train derailment involving major railroads across country — a small share partly because the passenger operation accounts for a fraction of train traffic nationwide.

In the last decade, Amtrak has averaged 24 derailments annually, according to data reported to the Federal Railroad Administration. That number is down from about 43 derailments that occurred annually over the previous decade.

The vast majority cause no injury or death, according to the FRA’s Office of Safety Analysis. Most are the result of track, mechanical or human factors, such as improperly lined switches, track problems, speeding and issues related to snow, ice or mud on tracks.

In his book “Train Wreck: The Forensics of Rail Disasters,” University of North Dakota mechanical engineering professor George Bibel describes most derailments as “relatively benign, and can be compared to a person walking down the street, tripping, getting back up, and continuing on her or his way.”

Wife of Illinois software engineer killed in Montana train derailment sues Amtrak as NTSB probe continues

Elaine Thompson

Over the past decade, three major Amtrak derailments have resulted in 14 passenger deaths, including Saturday’s crash in Montana.

More than half of those victims were traveling in the Northeast Regional train that veered off the tracks in <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/engineer-in-deadly-2015-philadelphia-amtrak-crash-wont-face-criminal-charges/2017/05/09/6c4c47ea-34d4-11e7-b4ee-434b6d506b37_story.html" target=_blank>Philadelphia in 2015</a>, Amtrak’s worst crash in more than 20 years. The train derailed after hitting a 50 mph curve at 106 mph. Eight people died and more than 200 were injured. National Transportation Safety Board investigators concluded the engineer thought he was entering the curve that followed, where the speed limit was 110 mph.

Less than three years later, three people were killed and 65 injured when an Amtrak train making its inaugural trip on a new service from Seattle to Portland, Ore., derailed near Dupont, Wash. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2017/12/18/amtrak-train-derails-in-washington-state-rail-cars-fall-onto-interstate-5/" target="_blank">Amtrak Cascades Train 501</a> was crossing an overpass when it derailed, toppling cars onto one of the busiest highways on the West Coast. The engineer entered a 30 mph curve too fast due to his <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/ntsb-train-engineers-confusion-and-lack-of-automatic-braking-system-lead-to-fatal-2017-wreck/2019/05/21/a57628e8-781a-11e9-b3f5-5673edf2d127_story.html" target="_blank">inadequate training on the route and the equipment</a>, an NTSB investigation concluded.

Both crashes prompted massive investigations and renewed calls for implementation of the automatic braking system known as positive train control (PTC). The NTSB said the Washington state and Philadelphia crashes could have been avoided if PTC had been installed.

Railroads near full implementation of lifesaving automatic-braking technology

The system automatically applies the brakes if a train is exceeding speed limits. It also can prevent a train from entering the wrong track if a switch is left in the wrong position. And, it can prevent rear-end and head-on collisions by keeping two trains off the same track. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/positive-train-control-/2020/12/29/5e90f978-4a0d-11eb-839a-cf4ba7b7c48c_story.html" target=_blank>PTC rolled out in December 2020</a> across all U.S. railroads, becoming one of the most consequential investments in rail safety technology.

In north-central Montana, investigators are working to determine the cause of the Sept. 25 derailment. The Empire Builder train was on its way from Chicago to Seattle with 141 passengers and 17 crew members. Nearly a week after the crash, the NTSB has offered no clues about what could have gone wrong, saying the train was traveling just below the 79 mph speed limit when eight of its 10 train cars derailed.

“It is extremely early in the investigation,” NTSB spokesman Keith Halloway said. “NTSB continues to look at everything.”

The NTSB this week interviewed crew members and was planning to wrap up the on-site investigation this weekend. It is expected to issue a preliminary report within 30 days of the crash.

“If there is a root cause that can be addressed, there will be changes,” Zarembski said.

‘There wasn’t even time to panic’: Passenger who escaped derailed Amtrak train finishes journey, by train

Less than 1 percent of railroad incidents that result in death occur because of a derailment, according to an analysis from the Eno Center for Transportation. The two leading causes of fatalities on America’s railroads involve trespassing on railroad property and trains colliding with vehicles.

Those fatal incidents are on an upward trend since 2012, reversing decades of progress, according to the report “<a href="https://www.enotrans.org/eno-resources/safer-railroading-a-guide-toward-targeted-safety-policy/" target="_blank">Safer Railroading: A Guide Toward Targeted Safety Policy</a>.”

Since 1990, there has been a 60 percent decrease in railroad safety incidents, according to federal data analyzed by Eno. While fatalities declined by 45 percent from 1991 to 2012, the report found incidents that resulted in death are up 31 percent since 2012.

About 16 people are killed in rail crossing and trespassing incidents each week — up from 12 in 2012, according to Eno’s research.

NTSB urges railroads to boost safety measures for workers on the rails

Other incidents, including crashes in work zones and those involving railroad workers, also have drawn attention. The NTSB this week urged railroads to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2021/09/30/ntsb-amtrak-worker-protections/" target=_blank>boost safety measures for rail workers</a>. The agency investigated eight accidents involving railroad and transit worker fatalities last year.

While trespassing and rail crossing incidents make up less than one-third of the safety incidents reported by railroads, they are responsible for 97 percent of fatalities, according to the Eno report.

“The response that we’re seeing to the Montana crash is showing that the existing standards that we have are in some respects working. We’re going to try to find the root cause and a solution to it,” said Paul Lewis, policy director at the Eno Center and author of the report. “But we also have to remember that fatalities are occurring on a regular basis and those don’t make national headline.”

Few incidents draw national attention, such as in 2018 when a train carrying Republican members of Congress slammed into <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2018/01/31/gop-retreat-train-collides-with-truck-no-serious-injuries-reported/" target="_blank">a garbage truck at a rural railroad crossing</a> in Virginia, killing a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2018/02/21/ntsb-releases-preliminary-report-on-crash-between-amtrak-train-carrying-gop-leaders-and-trash-truck/" target="_blank">passenger in the truck</a>.

The FRA last year ordered 40 states and the District to <a href="https://railroads.dot.gov/newsroom/press-releases/fra-publishes-final-rule-state-highway-rail-grade-crossing-action-plans" target="_blank">implement highway-rail grade crossing action plans</a>, while requiring 10 states that already had developed plans to report how they are implementing them. All states are required to report progress early next year.

The infrastructure package in Congress could improve safety, industry leaders say, with $5 billion for rail improvement and safety grants, as well as another $3 billion for grade crossing safety improvements.

But they say a more coordinated effort is necessary to reduce opportunities for people and vehicles to enter the path of trains. At least 30 percent of rail fatalities involve suicides, according to federal data.

“We can do all kinds of things to make the gates more secure and the signaling better,” said Jim Mathews, president and chief executive of the Rail Passengers Association. Another solution would be to eliminate rail crossings altogether, he said.

“The train is still a very, very safe way of travel,” he said. “It could be safer and I think we owe it to the traveling public to make it safer.”

American University, BA and MA in journalism

Luz Lazo is a transportation reporter at The Washington Post covering passenger and freight transportation, buses, taxis and ride-sharing services. She also writes about traffic, road infrastructure and air travel in the Washington region and beyond. She joined The Post in 2011.

Luz Lazo

washpost

Montana Amtrak derailment: Such events are rare, but other railroad-related deaths are on the rise

the-washington-post

Amtrak Train Derails

name

iptc-media/health/diseases_and_conditions

iptc-media/disaster_accident_and_emergency_incident/accident_and_emergency_incident/transport_accident_and_incident/railway_accident_and_incident

iptc-media/economy_business_and_finance/economic_sector/transport/traffic

iptc-media/disaster_accident_and_emergency_incident/accident_and_emergency_incident/transport_accident_and_incident

iptc-media/disaster_accident_and_emergency_incident/disaster

iptc-media/economy_business_and_finance

iptc-media/science_and_technology

iptc-media/disaster_accident_and_emergency_incident/accident_and_emergency_incident

iptc-media/science_and_technology/technology_and_engineering

iptc-media/economy_business_and_finance/economic_sector/transport/road_transport

iptc-media/health

iptc-media/economy_business_and_finance/economic_sector/transport

iptc-media/health/diseases_and_conditions/injury

iptc-media/disaster_accident_and_emergency_incident

iptc-media/economy_business_and_finance/economic_sector/transport/railway_transport

client-blocklists/Client List: Morgan Stanley KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Becton Dickinson KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Capital One (One Tech) KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/CLIENT LIST: Nomura KWs 2021 - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Boeing KWs 2021- INCLUDE ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: AT&T KWs 2021 - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Bed Bath & Beyond KWs - INCLUDE ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Exxon Mobil  - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/WaPo: Combined Disaster Keyword List - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: USAA KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

advertising/Siemens pt 3

client-blocklists/Client List: T. Rowe Price KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Google PG KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Microsoft KWs 2 - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/T. Rowe Price KWs - INCLUDES ANY

advertising/B2_Automotive Interest 2.5.15_legacyaux_jqs

client-blocklists/HBO KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Ford/Lincoln KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Amazon KWs - EXCLUDE ALL 

client-blocklists/Client List: Discover Card KWs – INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Ronald McDonald House KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Diageo - Johnnie Walker KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/ Client List: Mercedes EQS KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Organon KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Optum KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Johnson & Johnson KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/ExxonMobil 03312021 KWs - INCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Google PG Competitor KWs - EXCLUDES ALL 

client-blocklists/Client List: Showtime KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Apple TV+ KW – INCLUDES ANY

advertising/B2_Business_legacyaux_hws

client-blocklists/Client Neg KW List: Omega KWs - INCLUDES ANY

advertising/Supply Chain

client-blocklists/PMI KWs 2021 - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/GEICO KWs - INCLUDES ANY_4.26.21

client-blocklists/Client List: Eli Lily KWs - INCLUDES ANY

advertising/B2_Data Center Buyer_legacyaux_80A

advertising/B2_Design Engineering_legacyaux_i6w

client-blocklists/Client List: Citibank KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Citibank KWs 2021 - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Purina KWs - INCLUDES ANY

advertising/Citrix Mindfulness

advertising/B2_Government & Policy_legacyaux_mza

client-blocklists/Bank of America KWs - INCLUDES ANY

advertising/Racing and Nascar Enthusiasts

client-blocklists/BP KWs - INCLUDES ANY

advertising/B2_Infrastructure_legacyaux_vr5

client-blocklists/National Instruments KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: AT&T Digital Divide  - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Samsung 2021 KWs - INCLUDE ANY

advertising/B2_Positive News_legacyaux_hlt

advertising/B2_Transportation & Infrastructure_legacyaux_a4m

advertising/B2_Transportation, Logistics, and Industry_legacyaux_kre

advertising/B2_Winter Weather, Sports and Attractions 11-18-14_legacyaux_jqm

advertising/B2_Young Professional / International Businessman_legacyaux_r5x

client-blocklists/Client List: KPMG KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Novo Nordisk KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Siemens KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Cisco KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: AT&T ALT KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Mercedes KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/FX Excludes All Disney

client-blocklists/Client List: Inpixon KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Boeing KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Aetna KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Navy Federal Credit Union NFCU KWs 2 - INCLUDES ANY - 12.23.20

client-blocklists/Client List: Google KWs - INCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Philip Morris KWs - INCLUDES ANY 

client-blocklists/Capital One KWs 2 - INCLUDES ANY - 1.4.21

client-blocklists/Bank of America Merrill Lynch KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Chase KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Office Depot KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: ETrade KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

prism://prism.query/two-sites,/local/traffic-commuting,/transportation&limit=20

Train derailments like the Montana incident are rare, but other railroad-related deaths are on the rise

Over the past decade, three Amtrak derailments have resulted in 14 passenger deaths, including last Saturday’s crash in Montana