Federal investigators were scheduled to conduct simulated tests of the automatic controls on Washington, D.C., commuter trains Wednesday in an effort to determine why the computer-controlled system did not prevent a deadly train crash earlier this week.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that Train 112 was being operated by a computer that controls speed and braking when it barreled into the back of Train 214, which was stopped on the tracks at the Fort Totten station near the Washington-Maryland border.
NTSB personnel have already determined that Train 112's operator, 42-year-old Jeanice McMillan, appeared to have engaged the emergency brakes before the crash.
NTSB member Debbie Hersman said investigators would position similar trains at the accident scene to try to estimate how fast Train 112 was going. They also planned to conduct sight-vision tests to determine at what point McMillan could see the train ahead.
"What we're trying to understand is how the automatic train control system works and if there were any faults," Hersman said during an interview on CBS' Early Show. "Today is the first day that we're going to have access to the signal system and the tracks and the circuits to be able to test those."
The crash happened about 5 p.m. Monday, as Train 112 was rounding a curve in an area where officials said the speed limit is 55-59 mph. It plowed into the rear of Train 214 with such force that the lead cars were catapulted on top of Train 214. Both trains were operating on an aboveground track at the time of the crash.
McMillan and eight other people died, and 76 were injured.
In the wake of the accident, investigators launched a multipronged investigation, gathering information and records on the system's signals, track conditions and train maintenance. They will also examine McMillan's record and training, rest time, blood samples and records of her cell phone and text messaging usage.
The NTSB has already found that the brakes on the first two cars of Train 112 were overdue for scheduled maintenance, and the old-model cars were considered unsafe in a crash. Federal investigators had recommended that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority reinforce the cars to strengthen the frames or phase them out after a 2004 crash showed that they "telescoped," or collapsed, during an impact.
WMATA officials said the cause of the crash may not be known for several weeks, or even months.
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