In the wake of the train derailment that occurred this past Sunday in New York, considering that the physics involved in the incident are strikingly similar to the train derailment that occurred about 5 months back, July of 2013 in Spain, the question presents itself, are automatic overrides that prevent rail trains from surpassing certain speeds when approaching curved areas, an implementation necessary, or set for experiment?

To skilled engineers, auto-overrides have good and bad aspects.  However, in-depth study to an effective solution is probably worthwhile.

Article at <http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/02/metro-north-train-was-traveling-at-more-than-80-mph-at-time-fatal-crash-ntsb/> references the New York train attaining speeds of over 80mph on a curved area of track designed for speeds about 30.

What is really the safe speed, what are the realities, from the view inside, and on paper, are all amongst a set of fluid questions.
Further research that reflect scientific advances might affect the answers to these, overlapping the speed auto-override concept.

A YouTube video of the referent Santiago, Galicia, Spain train crash:



"Two "black box" data recorders recovered from the wreckage of the Renfe train that crashed in north-west Spain last week, killing 79 people, show that the driver was on the phone and travelling at 95mph (153kph) – almost twice the speed limit – when the vehicle derailed, according to the preliminary findings of a court investigating the crash.

The train had been going as fast as 119mph shortly before the derailment, and the driver activated the brakes "seconds before the crash", said a written statement from the court in Santiago de Compostela, near where the disaster happened. The speed limit on that section of track was 50-mph."
Source: <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/30/spain-train-crash-driver-on-phone>


References:
<http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/02/metro-north-train-was-traveling-at-more-than-80-mph-at-time-fatal-crash-ntsb/>
Engineer in fatal train NY wreck reportedly told probers he was falling asleep
Published December 03, 2013
FoxNews.com

YouTube train crash video:
Caught on Tape: Deadly Train Crash in Spain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-ZtCFqf7UI

<http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/30/spain-train-crash-driver-on-phone>
Spanish train driver on phone to Renfe official at moment of crash, court says

    Associated Press in Madrid
    theguardian.com, Tuesday 30 July 2013 13.13 EDT