The reason the emergency brakes did not activate is because the RED MAPO signal can be PILOT OVERRIDEN when it goes off, as normal, for Spurlines, Switch Beams and unpowered track. Thus, the pink train pilot was probably overriding the system because he was under the assumption that he was moving onto a switch beam.
More than likely, It was not the late Cast Member's Fault, Nor the fault of the Surviving Pilot. It was not the fault of any guests, no one was texting and it was simply an accident.
3. . The red MAPO signal also activates when the pilot is approaching a SPUR LINE (For switching tracks), an UNPOWERED section of track, or a SWITCH BEAM to a spur line.
4. The late cast member was in the STATIONARY purple train. The pink train struck the purple train in reverse.
What probably happened was that the PINK TRAIN was signaled to proceed onto a spur line. This is NORMAL when the park is nearing closing time and they are taking trains off the track. There is a spur line RIGHT outside the Ticket and Transportation Center where the accident happened. This is a NORMAL proceedure to have a train in the TTC center while another moves to another track via Spur Line. What appears to have happened is that the SWITCH BEAM was not thrown.
The Switch beam is what allows the train to move another a track. Think of how normal trains operate and change tracks. The pink train was moving at probably 15 MPH when it bypassed the UNTHROWN switch line and continued into the station.
As a Cast Member at Walt Disney World, I can confirm numerous things.
1. The Pilots DO drive the Monorails. They control everything and go through extensive training. Yes, some are College Program Cast Members.
2. There is a system called MAPO in place that monitors how close the trains are using block systems. There is always to be one block (200-400 ft. on average between trains, if not more.) Pilots are warned when they are getting close to another train. If they cross into the same block as another train, it activates the emergency brakes and stops the trains. Pilots may only have about 3 red MAPO violations before they are pulled from monorail service.
More than likely, It was not the late Cast Member's Fault, Nor the fault of the Surviving Pilot. It was not the fault of any guests, no one was texting and it was simply an accident.
4. The late cast member was in the STATIONARY purple train. The pink train struck the purple train in reverse.
What probably happened was that the PINK TRAIN was signaled to proceed onto a spur line. This is NORMAL when the park is nearing closing time and they are taking trains off the track. There is a spur line RIGHT outside the Ticket and Transportation Center where the accident happened. This is a NORMAL proceedure to have a train in the TTC center while another moves to another track via Spur Line. What appears to have happened is that the SWITCH BEAM was not thrown.
The Switch beam is what allows the train to move another a track. Think of how normal trains operate and change tracks. The pink train was moving at probably 15 MPH when it bypassed the UNTHROWN switch line and continued into the station.
1. The Pilots DO drive the Monorails. They control everything and go through extensive training. Yes, some are College Program Cast Members.
2. There is a system called MAPO in place that monitors how close the trains are using block systems. There is always to be one block (200-400 ft. on average between trains, if not more.) Pilots are warned when they are getting close to another train. If they cross into the same block as another train, it activates the emergency brakes and stops the trains. Pilots may only have about 3 red MAPO violations before they are pulled from monorail service.