Tornado

The major problem of technology is that when one becomes reliant on it and presumes it is infallible thus ignoring the human factor and its value in over-riding faulty decisions.

 

The fact that Network Rail (and its predecessors) have consistently failed in the simple, repetitive task of keeping the cutting sides and cesses clear of greenery is hardly the fault of the signalling system (or any signalling system).
Pat

 

The technology supported good decision making that day. It couldn’t prevent the consequences of other bad decisions about maintenance.

Indeed , one could construct a hypothesis that ETCS, had it been fitted, would have mitigated or even prevented the Salisbury Tunnel Junction collision by removing the scope for the braking point identification error* commented on in the RAIB report.

* - to note, no criticism of the driver is intended. He was driving in the dark, unlit, and in poor conditions, the braking point selected was easily missed.