The Federal Communications Commission has approved development...

The Federal Communications Commission has approved development of a nationwide computerized train control system, saying the technology could have prevented last year’s Amtrak Conrail collision that killed 16 people. Acting on a request from the Assn. of American Railroads, the FCC, in a unanimous vote, set aside six channels of radio spectrum for the advanced train control system, designed to monitor trains nationwide and able to take control of their throttles and brakes in emergencies. Development of the system already is under way and is expected to take 10 years.