On July 15, 2022, about 11:01 a.m. local time, southbound Amtrak train 531, carrying 31 passengers and 4 crew, collided with an occupied Union Pacific Railroad roadway maintenance machine at a highway-railroad grade crossing in Oakland, California. The collision occurred as the roadway maintenance machine moved from main track 1 across main track 2, which was occupied by train 531. The roadway maintenance machine operator was transported to a local hospital and treated for severe injuries; one passenger and two train crewmembers were treated for minor injuries.
We determined that the probable cause of the collision between the Union Pacific Railroad roadway maintenance machine and Amtrak train 531 was the roadway maintenance machine operator moving for unknown reasons onto unprotected track and into the path of an approaching train.
