Emergency braking part of train driver muscle memory: expert

A passenger comes out of the bullet train D2809 in Rongjiang County, Guizhou Province, June 4, 2022. (Photo from Guizhou Provincial Public Security Fire Brigade)

(ECNS) -- The driver of bullet train D2809, Yang Yong, had applied the emergency brake five seconds before the train derailed in a tunnel entrance of Rongjiang Station in Guizhou Province due to a mudslide on Saturday. 

“Professional quality is also important,” said an expert, adding that this is particularly vital in critical situations, and included in daily training.

Long-term training helps emergency braking be absorbed in the muscle memory of train drivers, enabling them to react within an instant’s notice, said another expert.

Except for muscle memory, unexpected situations encountered in simulation also test driver reactions.

Yang had studied at Southwest Jiaotong University in Sichuan Province and passed China Railway training with excellent grades, providing him necessary experience in the accident.

He was killed but he saved all passengers onboard.