The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently urged Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration to stop using “train approach warning” as the sole method of on-track safety in areas covered by positive train control.
The technique uses a designated watchmen to look out for approaching trains in a work zone.
On April 24, 2018, an Amtrak rail watchman was killed in Maryland using this method when a high-speed northbound Amtrak train struck him from behind. During the investigation, the NTSB determined Amtrak’s safety work plan did not adequately consider the challenges of multiple main tracks in a high-noise environment.