NTSB Investigators Visit BRS National Headquarters

On December 3, 2024, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) welcomed Ruben Payan, Rail Branch Chief and Brett Johnson, Accident Investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to the National Headquarters in Front Royal, Virginia. The resulting session presented an in-depth overview of the NTSB’s railroad incident investigation process. Moving forward, BRS Union leadership aims to foster a better understanding of how railroad accidents are analyzed and resolved, with a focus on enhancing safety across the industry.

During the discussion, Payan and Johnson delved into detailed scenarios of past investigations, offering insight into the challenges and solutions that have shaped the industry’s safety standards over the years. Their expertise illuminated the intricacies of incident analysis and underscored the importance of collaboration in preventing future accidents.

The event concluded with an engaging discussion, where BRS attendees contributed their field expertise on signal systems. The BRS offered practical suggestions to help refine the NTSB’s investigative methods, with topics ranging from the intricacies of signal maintenance to the operational challenges faced by Signalmen in the field. This productive exchange underscored the critical role that signal systems play in rail safety and demonstrated the value of collaboration between investigative authorities and industry professionals.

The BRS is proud to have had the opportunity to share its unique perspective and looks forward to continuing to support efforts to improve rail safety nationwide.