The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating two recent crashes involving Brightline trains in Melbourne, Florida that resulted in the deaths of three people. These incidents occurred at the same crossing along the U.S. 1 corridor, which is part of the high-speed train’s route between Miami and Orlando.
Since its launch on September 22, Brightline has recorded a total of five deaths. The most recent crash occurred on Friday and claimed the lives of two individuals, while the earlier crash on Wednesday resulted in one fatality and injuries to three passengers.
The mayor of Melbourne plans to address the issue with Brightline officials and potentially launch a public safety campaign to emphasize the importance of following railroad crossing protocols.
Brightline trains, painted in bright neon yellow, can reach speeds of up to 125 mph in certain areas and have reduced the travel time between Miami and Orlando to approximately 3.5 hours.
The NTSB team will investigate the safety concerns at the crossing and work on measures to prevent or mitigate such accidents. A preliminary report will be released within 30 days, followed by a final report within 12 to 24 months.
Brightline has taken steps to address safety concerns, including placing warning signs near crossings.
Overall, there have been at least 108 deaths associated with Brightline since its operations began in 2017, making it one of the railroads in the United States with the highest death rate. However, previous incidents have largely been attributed to suicides, pedestrians crossing tracks ahead of the train, or drivers ignoring crossing gates.
Despite these incidents, Brightline plans to increase service frequency between Orlando and Miami, with 32 daily trains and 16 departures from each location.
As the investigation continues, public safety and adherence to railroad crossing instructions remain a top priority.
