WASHINGTON — A train control system that relies solely on the operator’s actions led to an incident in which a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority light rail vehicle hit an end-of-track bumping post, injuring 12 people, the National Transportation Safety Board said in an investigation report released today (May 4.
The May 11, 2025, incident saw the SEPTA light rail vehicle hit the bumping post at the Norristown Transportation Center Station at 11 mph, leading to serious injuries to two passengers along with minor injuries to the operator and nine passengers. The impact caused an estimated $920,000 in damage [see “NTSB releases preliminary report …,” Trains.com, June 4, 2025].
The collision occurred about 1,100 feet from where the operator had stopped the train for a red signal prior to entering the station. After receiving dispatcher permission to proceed, operators must push an override button before the automatic train control system will allow the train to move forward. That leaves control solely in the hands of the operator…