Derailed Chicago train operator 'fell asleep' on duty

[DSY011]

The operator of a Chicago train which derailed on Monday, injuring 32 people, has said she fell asleep while on duty, according to federal officials.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26755907

The unnamed woman, employed as an operator for two months, reportedly admitted it was not the first time she had dozed off on the job.
The speeding metro train jumped its tracks at O'Hare International Airport and hurtled up an escalator.

[johnmoly]

I'm sure she won't be working for them much longer, if she hasn't already been dismissed.
I know from experience erratic shift patterns can be dangerous.
Wonder if Silentnight might poach her.

[Beeyar Wunby]

Originally Posted by BBC News

Mr Turpin said the woman often worked an erratic shift schedule.

I wonder why she did. If it was something the company made her do then she may have a get-out clause.

However if she did it of her own volition and the company accommodated her because she had difficulty organising her home life then she hasn't really got a leg to stand on.

Fatigue management is one of the biggest difficulties for traincrew. It's the responsibility of the individual to ensure that they have sufficient rest before each shift. This is often very hard for people with a family.

Originally Posted by BBC news

She was reportedly disciplined in February after falling asleep on the job as her train partially missed a station.

So she'd already had a previous incident of the same type - and within her first two months on the job ? Hmm I think her line manager will also have some explaining to do to.

[27vet]

The train driver has been fired.

http://news.yahoo.com/operator-crash...--finance.html

[Beeyar Wunby]

Thanks for that link 27vet

Reading through it I noticed....

Originally Posted by Yahoo news

The CTA said it would lower the speed limit for trains entering the station to 15 mph.....

Just like we've been doing for decades.

Nice to think we actually thought of something before they did....normally everybody wants to copy the Yanks.

[27vet]

I would say that there should be an automatic disconnect for the propulsion and automatic brake application if a train enters a station / dead end too fast.

[Beeyar Wunby]

Originally Posted by 27vet

I would say that there should be an automatic disconnect for the propulsion and automatic brake application if a train enters a station / dead end too fast.

This is quite a dilemna. Here in the UK on the mainline railway, nearly all passenger buffer stops have TPWS Overspeed Grids placed in the rear. These will cause the train's Emergency Brake to apply if you pass over them at a speed in excess of 10 mph (ish). Also on the Northern City Line and other sub-surface railways there is Moorgate control, where a series of tripcocks lower after a preset time. The train operates treadles as it moves towards the stops.

But sometimes it's not that simple because there are some platforms which are uphill, and so rolling over the grids/treadles at only 7.5 mph (the unofficially recommended speed) may cause the train to come to a stand well short of the stops. It is universally agreed that it is HIGHLY undesirable for the driver to have to take power as he approaches the stops - that defeats the whole object of getting him to reduce speed in the first place. But sometimes you just have to !

And of course if you hammer into the platform you'll probably beat the system anyway - certainly on a TPWS fitted system. As mentioned before the rulebook requirement is to be doing a maximum of 15mph at the platform ramp - If someone comes in at 30 the Emergency Brake probably won't stop the train before it whacks the stops. But the system is set up as it is because the majority of buffer stop collisions have been at low speed, often due to driver misjudgments.

You might ask why haven't we thrown lots more money/technology at it ?
Well..

1) It doesn't happen very often and not very many people have been killed - so it's the cost/benefit ratio argument
2) Very soon in this country ERTMS will remove decision making about speeds away from the driver. If the onboard computer doesn't like the speed you're doing it will stop the train itself.

HTH, BW

[27vet]

Thanks for the information. I looked up ERTMS :

ERTMS has two basic components
ETCS, the European Train Control System, is an automatic train protection system (ATP) to replace the existing national ATP-systems;
GSM-R, a radio system for providing voice and data communication between the track and the train, based on standard GSM using frequencies specifically reserved for rail application with certain specific and advanced functions. For more information on GSM-R, please visit: http://gsm-r.uic.asso.fr
ERTMS aims at replacing the different national train control and command systems in Europe. The deployment of ERTMS will enable the creation of a seamless European railway system and increase European railway's competitiveness.