because of his loss of situational awareness.' But the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) learned that the engineer on the Philadelphia train was distracted by another train and, according to a report the agency released in 2016, the 'most likely reason the engineer failed to slow for the curve was. Investigators are still trying to figure out what happened in Washington. In May 2015, a train derailed under similar circumstances in Philadelphia, killing eight and sending 185 others to area hospitals.

In December 2017, an Amtrak train derailed after traveling too fast on a curve in Washington, killing or injuring dozens of people.

Amtrak safety, rail transit and Positive Train Control: Research roundupīy John Wihbey, Leighton Walter Kille and Denise-Marie Ordway, The Journalist's ResourceĭecemAmtrak safety, rail transit and Positive Train Control: Research roundupīy John Wihbey, Leighton Walter Kille and Denise-Marie Ordway, The Journalist's Resource December 19, 2017