. Ascher : After deadly train derailment in New York , people lament state of U.S. rail system . Ascher : If these technologies exist , and we know they do , are we simply not investing properly in our trains and tracks and signaling systems ? Technology that could have prevented accident is being deployed on freight lines . Smith : Horrific rail accidents in China , Spain , France show high - speed is n't safer . More investment wo n't make trains completely safe , she says . It ' n't stop human error .
. Ascher : After deadly train derailment in New York , people lament state of U.S. rail system . Ascher : Technology that could have prevented accident is being deployed on freight lines . Smith : Horrific rail accidents in China , Spain , France show high - speed is n't safer . More investment wo n't make trains completely safe , she says . It ' n't stop human error .