Disaster struck New Jersey Transit commuters at 8:38 AM on Sept. 29 when train #1614 failed to stop at the end ot the track and slammed into the wall, then the ceiling of the historic station, killing at least one person and injuring up to 100.
"The cause of the crash at [Hoboken Terminal] was not immediately known," reports Berkeley Lovelace Jr. for CNBC. "NBC New York said authorities believe the crash may have resulted from operator error but stressed that the investigation was preliminary."
The New Jersey Transit was not equipped with the positive train control technology that slows down trains when they exceed the speed limit, NBC News reported. Initial reports indicated that the train did not slow down as it entered the station.
The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday officials will be looking into the positive train control technology and also for similarities between Thursday morning's crash and one in 2011 at the same station, Reuters reported. [NTSB briefing via YouTube].
However, the 2011 crash involved a Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) subway train, not a commuter train, reports J.D. Durkin for Mediaite.com.
The historic station is the second busiest transportation facility in the Garden State after Newark Airport. Passengers arriving on the New Jersey Transit Pascack Valley Line train from Spring Valley, along with passengers from seven other NJ Transit commuter lines [see map] and one Metro-North line, could transfer to:
- NY Waterway Hudson River Ferries to New York
- Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
- Two Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) heavy rail lines to New York
- NJ Transit buses
"The landmark Hoboken Terminal, one of the metropolitan's major transportation hubs, underwent a $115 million renovation project 10 years ago," reports Ron Zeitlinger of The Jersey Journal.
The building, built in 1907 and owned by New Jersey Transit, underwent more renovations after it was flooded in superstorm Sandy in 2012.
This morning's crash caused major damage to the interior of the terminal and there was a partial roof collapse as well.
According to a NJ Transit commuter alert, "All [commuter] rail service into and out of Hoboken Terminal remains suspended. All Hudson Bergen Light Rail service into and out of Hoboken station remains suspended."
A PATH press release indicates that service will resume at 3 PM on Thursday, Sept. 29.
NJ Transit operates the second busiest commuter rail system in the U.S. after the Long Island Rail Road. Direct rail service to New York Penn Station is available from Secaucus Junction. See map below.
Related Planetizen coverage:
- Railroads Given Three More Years to Install Positive Train Control, October 24, 2015
- Positive Train Control Set to Revolutionize Railroad Safety, February 14, 2012
FULL STORY: Hoboken train crash kills 1, injures 108, Gov. Chris Christie says
Black Box Showed What, but Not Why, for the New Jersey Transit Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board has determined that the minute before the Sept. 29 crash, the engineer suddenly accelerated, hurling the train into the wall of Hoboken Terminal, killing one person. They will work to find out why.
Amtrak Crash Shuts Down Northeast Corridor Service on Sunday Morning
An Amtrak train that originated in Boston and headed to Savannah, Ga. struck a backhoe working on tracks about 15 miles southwest of Philadelphia. Two Amtrak construction workers in or near the backhoe were killed; 31 train passengers were injured.
The Recent Decline of New Jersey Transit's Commuter Rail Operations
The New York Times looks into the decline of New Jersey Transit commuter railroad, rated as outstanding only nine years ago. Much of the decline can be traced to decisions by the Christie administration beginning in 2010.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)