Semiannual Report to Congress #52 (April 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015)

Throughout this reporting period, our work continued to address issues relating to Amtrak’s diverse programs and operations, including the safety of train operations. Tragically, on May 12, 2015, Amtrak Train 188 derailed in Philadelphia, resulting in loss of life, injuries, and economic disruption from Washington to Boston. While our thoughts remain with those affected, our office continues to participate in the resulting investigations and also reported on train safety issues. This included our June 19, 2015, report on Amtrak’s progress implementing “Positive Train Control,” a congressionally‐mandated safety system intended to automatically control train speed and avoid collisions.