OIG: Amtrak could better manage train strike risks

Amtrak trains were involved in about 800 train strikes from fiscal-year 2020 through 2023, resulting in 594 deaths and 279 injuries, according to a new report from the Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG).

In addition to the deaths and injuries, about one in five of the railroad's passenger engineers may have been involved in such a strike in FY23, OIG officials said in a press release.

Reducing train strikes — incidents where trains hit people or vehicles — is an inherent challenge for all railroads because of factors that are difficult to control, such as suicide attempts, homeless individuals living near active tracks and motorists who ignore crossing signals. According to the report, the significant size of Amtrak’s network and limited ownership of the tracks it uses amplifies these challenges.

While Amtrak has implemented measures to reduce risks across its network, the OIG found the railroad could better identify and manage its risk of train strikes and more broadly adopt key practices to improve risk management. Additionally, OIG auditors found that the railroad could improve the accuracy of the train strike data that it is required to report to the Federal Railroad Administration.

The OIG recommended that Amtrak develop a comprehensive process for proactively identifying and managing the risk of train strikes; consider expanding implementation of key practices identified in the report; and regularly review and reconcile its train strike data to ensure accuracy.

Amtrak agreed with the recommendations, and described actions and plans it will take to address them. To read the OIG report, click here.