JR West the western Japan passenger hauler is on a documentary produced in Japan. It is a program of PBS's independent lens. Running here in Georgia at 8:00 PM Wedensday. Takes a big swipe at JR's disciplinary policies if even 10 seconds late. Also pushing drivers to exceed speed limits if delay of any kind.
Review when proram over. About a fatal accident.
Report is a consequence of a JR Westverspeed derail,emt about 2005. Appeared to be in all japanese with sub titles. Report concentrates on JAR west's push for on time operatio. Add stops with no increase on total time. pentalys for being late, etc. See your local PBS station logs.
Independent lens is running the report for the third time today at 1500 EDT. Here in Georgia it is on PBS stations on the X.3 channels (ex 28-3). Accident happened at 0830 going into Osaka with 107 killed and many more injured. Was not till 2012 that accident report was released. Documentary seems to imply that JR's obsssion with on time contributed to accident. Driver had several citations for running late and might be terminated if another late was recorded ?
Several stops his commuter train was 80 seconds late, dowm to 30 seconds, and he overspeeded to make up time and was 80 seconds late at the station before accident due to over running station and backin up. 72 seconds late at accident site/. Happened at a horse shoe curve around an appartment building.
Senior officials prosecuted but found not guilty. Many surviors that were interviewed seeemed to suffer from PTSD as well relatives not on train ?
Many driver complaints were "not having auto braking". Sort of a PTC / ATS over ride ? Also a culture of having to answer dispatchers on radio why late insted of concentrating on driving ?
NOTE: Relaxed timetables, ATS, & other reforms have been implemented.
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