Is Common Sense Dead! R.I.P.
Posted by Sandy on February 22, 2022 · Leave a Comment
The big news this week are the crashes between Brightline and Automobiles. Let’s address it.
Folk Tale: Once upon a time John and his young son Philip were driving through town when they came upon a traffic jam. Up ahead they could see that a large semi trailer with a high load had become wedged under a railway overpass.
The father experienced only the frustration of being held up while his son experienced a world of unbelievable wonder. There were police everywhere and fire trucks, a big crane and even a train that was forced to stop at the approach to the bridge.
While John sat in the car fuming, his son Philip could no longer contain himself. He sprang out of the car and raced away towards all the important people in suites, wearing yellow hats, all trying to figure out what to do.
I know how to get the truck out!” he cried out. The men were more concerned for the boy’s safety and shooed him away. The young fellow persisted until he found someone who would listen – all the time dragging an exhausted dad behind him.
What do you think we should do? asked the man. If you want to get the truck out all you have to do is let the air out of the tires!
Common sense from a young boy, better known as “out of the mouth of babes” and confusion from important people.
Brightline Train WPB Watch 1/11/2018 (published)
Brightline Train Speeds to 125 MPH
Every city along the route held meetings including WPB. Residents appeared before the commission with their opinions both pro and con. Residents were concerned with 2 issues noise and safety. The powers to be were concerned with insuring the train made a stop in WPB. It does.
Let’s talk safety: If you recall the horrific accident that occurred in Seattle when the train derailed, left the tracks, went down the embankment killing 3 and injuring over 80. The data recorder had the train traveling 80 MPH in a 30 MPH zone while approaching a curve.
This train was not equipped with a safety device called “positive train control” which is technology that can automatically slow or stop a train. Sounds like excellent technology.
For years regulators have requested the device be installed on all trains. What is wrong with these regulators, don’t they know that would be expensive and hurt the bottom line? Here is how I imagine the conversation went.” Read the entire story below which includes an interview with Senator Numbnuts.
https://wpbwatch.com/2018/01/brightline-we-told-you-you-didnt-listen/
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/18/amtrak-train-derails-near-seattle-onto-the-i-5-freeway.html
2/21/2022 BOCA RATON, Fla. (CBS12) — “After multiple collisions with cars and pedestrians last week, officials in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast are considering ways to make Brightline train crossings safer.
The high speed train has had at least four high-profile crashes in recent days. Brightline released video of one of the incidents in Lake Worth, showing a driver trying to beat the train and crashing into it.
“Our drivers need to take responsibility for their actions,” said Palm Beach County Mayor Robert Weinroth, who also chairs the Transportation Planning Agency.”
https://cbs12.com/news/local/could-changes-to-signals-quiet-zones-improve-brightline-safety
2/21/2022 FORT LAUDERDALE (Tampa Bay Times) “Brightline trains killed one person and seriously injured another in separate accidents less than 12 hours apart, the latest in a spate of collisions plaguing the higher-speed passenger trains since the railroad recently resumed operations.
Tuesday night’s death was the ninth involving Florida’s privately owned passenger railroad since it resumed operations in November after an 18-month shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s the 57th since Brightline began test runs in 2017, giving it the worst per-mile fatality rate in the nation, according to an ongoing Associated Press analysis that began in 2019.”
Now let’s revive common sense: My car can travel over 100 mph, doesn’t mean I must travel that fast. Brightline can travel 125 mph, and they do. Why are they allowed to run 80 mph through busy city streets with a posted speed of 30 mph?
That’s an easy question. The faster they run, the more trips they make, the more money they make. it’s always about the bottom line.
County Mayor Robert Weinroth, who also chairs the Transportation Planning Agency may want to check if all Brightline trains are equipped with a positive train control, as mentioned above. That would be an excellent way to begin talks on safety.
The end