As the investigation continues into the May 12 Amtrak crash that claimed at least eight lives and injured scores of others, increased scrutiny is falling on positive train control, or PTC, a system that can prevent trains from exceeding speed limits. The train was found to be moving at twice the speed limit when it derailed.
The train-control issue affects engineering firms, which work for rail companies and agencies on PTC projects. At issue are proposals in Congress to extend the looming deadline for railroads to install the systems.