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One key safety feature was missing from the stretch of track where an Amtrak passenger train going more than 100 mph derailed and killed seven people.

Investigators say that if positive train control had been installed on that stretch, the technology could have automatically slowed the train and perhaps saved lives.

NPR's David Schaper tells our Newscast unit that Amtrak and other railroads are behind schedule in rolling out the technology.

Positive train control uses GPS track sensors and other sensors to both determine the speed the train is traveling and if there are any obstacles up ahead. It knows the speed limit on every stretch of rail, so if a train is going too fast for whatever reason, it slows it down.

 that in the January/February issue of Amtrak Ink, which the company publishes for employees, Amtrak said it had rolled out positive train control to about 400 miles of track.
The 

Disasters

The passenger train was going more than 100 mph when it derailed in Philadelphia. Technology that overrides operator error could have slowed the train down and perhaps saved lives.

Positive train control: The tech that could've prevented Amtrak derailment

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