NTSB: Event recorder was not functioning on day of NJ Transit crash
Officials are hopeful the data recorder in the cab control car in the front of the train is functional, but investigators haven’t been able to extract that recorder because it’s under a collapsed section of the train station’s roof.
HOBOKEN, N.J. — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said that one event recorder recovered so far from the NJ TRANSIT commuter train that crashed in Hoboken killing one and injuring more than 100 more was not functioning on the day of the crash, CBS New York reports.
NTSB officials are hopeful the data recorder in the cab control car in the front of the train is functional, but investigators haven’t been able to extract that recorder because it’s under a collapsed section of the train station’s roof.
The train’s engineer, 48-year-old Thomas Gallagher, told investigators the train was operating properly before it crashed Thursday morning. The engineer also said the train was operating at 10 mph as it approached the station and that he has no memory of the crash.
Additional findings announced by NTSB over the weekend include:
With the assistance of NJ Transit, investigators obtained video from other trains that were at the Hoboken Terminal, to see what those cameras captured from the accident event. The event recorder and camera from the controlling cab of the accident train remain inaccessible to investigators.
The event recorder from the trailing locomotive #4214 has arrived at the recorder manufacturer’s facility in Kentucky and NTSB personnel are supervising the attempted download.
There were no signal anomalies found on the tracks leading to the terminal. A full signal study cannot yet be completed because the accident train remains in the terminal.
Investigators completed the walking inspection of the track and found nothing that would have affected the performance of the train.
While their comprehensive analysis of bus stops focused on Massachusetts, the researchers are excited about the generalizability of the findings and application to other locations.
Transit agencies depend on safe, reliable vehicles to deliver consistent service. This eBook examines how next-generation fleet software helps agencies move from reactive processes to proactive operations through automated maintenance, real-time safety insights, and integrated data. Learn how fleets are improving uptime, safety outcomes, and operational efficiency.
The new filters include substantially more activated carbon than traditional HVAC filters, which is especially helpful in providing a better transit riding experience for vulnerable populations, particularly children, seniors, and people with chronic illnesses, according to the CTA.
MCTS officials said the new pilots are part of a broader commitment to improving the rider experience through proactive, visible safety strategies that balance enforcement with customer support.
In a recent episode of METROspectives, LYT CEO Timothy Menard discusses how artificial intelligence, cloud connectivity, and real-time data are transforming traffic management, boosting bus reliability, and enabling system-wide transit optimization across cities.
METRO’s People Movement highlights the latest leadership changes, promotions, and personnel news across the public transit, motorcoach, and people mobility sectors.
In this latest episode of METROspectives, we explore the evolving role of transit standards, including how they're responding to emerging technologies, climate change, and the growing need for equity and sustainability.
USDOT found the Chicago Transit Authority’s safety plan insufficient to safeguard commuters on buses and rail, as crime on Chicago transit approaches a decade-high.