How Safe are Train Rides in the U.S.?
I've used the train in the U.K. with no problem, but I don't know what to expect in the U.S. How safe it is to travel via train in the U.S.? For example, is it safe for me to travel from the east coast to the west coast by the train?
Best Answer
Rail safety in the US is a far cry from the images of the old movies. Just about all long-haul passenger operation in the US takes place on signaled lines protected by interlocking and under the watchful eye of a dispatcher at a desk (what's known as Centralized Traffic Control or CTC for short). The dispatcher will have a computer terminal in front of him that enables him to see roughly where trains are at any given time as well as direct them by throwing switches (so that passing, meets, and such can be implemented). If something were to go wrong (such as a stuck train, a signal failure, or the dispatcher trying to do something he shouldn't), the interlocking system itself will ensure that a safe state is maintained, dropping signals to red as needed. This is similar to modern power signalbox operation in the UK, with dispatchers performing the function of UK signalmen. In addition to this, higher-speed lines in the US (the Northeast Corridor, and some commuter and regional lines) universally use automatic train protection technology, and there are efforts underway to bring this to all passenger-carrying rail lines.
Furthermore, current US passenger rail equipment is built to an extremely stringent crashworthiness standard; Branson's line in the aftermath of the Grayrigg derailment about the Pendolino rolling stock being "built like a tank" would quite readily apply to the crashworthiness performance of US passenger rail cars as well.
Pictures about "How Safe are Train Rides in the U.S.?"
Is riding an Amtrak train safe?
Amtrak's passengers get injured 58 times as often as those on French railroads. Despite train tragedies owning the headlines, by and large, train travel in the U.S. is relatively safe\u2014roughly the same as air travel.How safe are trains for travel?
Generally, rail travel is very safe, but it still doesn't harm to check the state of the country's rails and connectivity if you want to travel by train. For instance, just seven years ago the U.S. counted 32,367 road fatalities, 570 railroad fatalities, and 485 air fatalities.Is traveling by train safer than car?
Amtrak collisions and passenger deaths are rare \u2013 despite high-profile crashes in the last year, according to industry statistics and experts. Trains remain safer for passengers than cars or buses, and nearly as safe as airliners, federal statistics show.Is Amtrak safe to travel alone?
We often get the question \u201cIs Amtrak safe for single woman\u201d, the short answer is yes. You are in a train car full of people. One of the great things about Amtrak is the space. On airplanes the seats are so close together that it's hard to avoid touching your seat mates.The Don'ts of Amtrak Train Travel in the US
More answers regarding how Safe are Train Rides in the U.S.?
Answer 2
The trains are safe - at least they're more or less as safe as the UK. I was going to cite some statistics here, but it turns out it's complicated comparing modes of transportation.
What you should know, however, is that they're often ludicrously late. The railroads would rather not be in the passenger business, and unlike most anywhere else in the world, the passenger trains have to 'step aside' for the freights. Lots of Americans have never traveled on a train in their lives.
The exception is urban commuter lines and 'corridor' service. Those are usually on time or near it.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Uriel Mont, Tim Douglas, Laura James, Laura James