Safety

THE FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION HELD A TOWN HALL MEETING ON FEB 23 TO DISCUSS BEST PRACTICES AND STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING HIGHWAY/RAIL GRADE CROSSING AND TRESPASSING INCIDENTS. Officials from Brightline, Florida East Coast Railway, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, Amtrak and CSX were among those in attendance.

The FRA called the meeting because of concerns about the "recent spate of grade-crossing and pedestrian fatalities in South Florida."

Since Brightline has developed in South Florida, an alarming number of deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and along the tracks have occurred.

There have been nine fatal crashes since Brightline resumed its operations in November, and 57 since Brightline began tests in 2017, the worst per-mile fatality rate in the nation, according to an ongoing Associated Press analysis.

TWO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER A BRIGHTLINE TRAIN COLLIDED WITH AN SUV IN MIAMI, reports 7News Miami.

According to a witness, the vehicle had been caught between the lowered guard rails before being struck by the train. Two of the three victims inside the vehicle were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All three will be OK.

Another witness, Preston Pugh, said the accident reminded him of a close call of his own at that very same crossing.

A 70-YEAR-OLD WOMAN DIED AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A BRIGHTLINE TRAIN, CBS Miami reports. The woman was rushed to a hospital in critical condition but later died.

This is at least the 50th death involving a Brightline train since the high-speed passenger rail's launch.

Read more about this article here.

The original article was written by CBS Miami

ANOTHER PEDESTRIAN DIED IN HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A BRIGHTLINE TRAIN. The unnamed pedestrian died by suicide, according to sources close to the investigation.

This is one among other accidents that have occurred since Brightline services have been reopened.

Read the full article here.

The original article was published by Miami Herald.

THE RULE REQUIRING SPECIAL PERMITS TO TRANSPORT LNG ON TRAINS EXPIRED LAST YEAR, making it easier than ever to move it through heavily-populated areas such as Southern Florida.

Although LNG has lower emissions and costs compared to other fuel sources, a potential LNG explosion could "literally level several blocks-even a whole town." Lac Megantic, Canada, experienced a rail disaster in 2013, where 47 people died and 20 buildings were destroyed.

A MAN WAS FOUND DEAD WEDNESDAY MORNING ALONG THE TRACKS NEAR KISSIMMEE, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Investigators have yet to identify the man, or when he was killed.

Read more here.

The original article was written the WKMG ClickOrlando.

A PEDESTRIAN DIED AFTER BEING STRUCK BY FLORIDA EAST COAT RAILWAY TRAIN TUESDAY EVENING, Stuart police reported.

This is the second fatal train crash that had occurred that day. In the morning, a southbound train struck and killed a person in northern St. Lucie County, a St. Lucie County sheriff's official said.

Read more here.

PERSON DIED TUESDAY AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A SOUTHBOUND TRAIN, a St. Lucie County sheriff's official said. Fire District crews went to the incident around 10:45 a.m.

Read more here.

The original article was written by Will Greenlee of TC Palm.

THE EARTHJUSTICE ORGANIZATION FILED A LEGAL CHALLENGE AGAINST A FEDERAL RULE that would allow trains filled with explosive liquified natural gas to travel across the country.

Under this rule, these trains would travel up to 50 mph through densely-populated cities (with tank cars that are unlikely to survive impacts at less than 30 mph).