Amtrak Taking Steps to Keep Passengers Safe After Philadelphia Derailment

The Federal Railroad Administration has recommended commuter railroads look at where they have sharp track curves and adjust their automatic train control safety systems to prevent trains from going too fast there, like an Amtrak train did before it derailed in Philadelphia last month.

If automatic train control isn't available then the train should have a crew member besides the engineer who's familiar with the route and briefings about where speeds are reduced. The second person would have to be in constant contact with the engineer.

The administration's safety advisory also suggests railroads add more warning signs about speed. The administration says Monday's advisory is the latest in a series of steps it has taken to keep passenger railroads safe.

A speeding Amtrak train from Washington, D.C., to New York City derailed May 12, killing eight people.