Feinstein, Boxer call for collision avoidance systems to be added to all commuter, freight railways

WASHINGTON - In reaction to Friday's deadly collision between a packed commuter train and a Union Pacific freight train in Chatsworth, the Golden State's two senators launched legislation Tuesday that would require all U.S. railroads to install electronic monitoring equipment aboard all trains.

The bill by California's two Democratic U.S. Senators, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, would require the railroads to install so-called "positive train control" systems.

"My heart goes out to the families of those killed, and to the dozens of people injured in this deadly crash," Feinstein said in a press statement. "The fact is, this collision could have been avoided had there been a positive train control system in place. In my view, that's sheer negligence."

Positive train control systems combine computer software with GPS navigation systems to monitor train locations and speeds. The system can detect such things as excessive speed, improperly aligned switches, whether trains are on the wrong track, unauthorized train movements and whether trains have missed signals to slow or stop. The system can also stop trains when engineers fail to comply with signals.

"Nowhere is this needed more than in Southern California, where the majority of Metrolink's 388 miles of track are shared with freight trains. We must install positive train control as quickly as possible. There is no excuse for inaction," Feinstein added.