Assuming the Luas was operating as per the signalling system blame would lie with the bus and visa versa. Going by past accidents on the red line human error is more than likely the cause but it could be with either parties or both.
Hopefully the 3 separate accident investigations will come to the same conclusion..
At the corner where the accident occured the sightlines to the right of the tram are actually quite good and the fact that the tram hit the bus in the centre all seem very confusing. The trams normally stop outside Easons to await a signal to cross the road so how the bus got halfway across the tram path before the collision beats me.
I wonder if the tram stopped outside Easons at all?
I bet this has put a bit of a delay on the Line C1 testing..
Edit:
According to CIE now, the road traffic had a green light.
Quote:
Bus in tram crash had green light- CIE
listen Thursday, 17 September 2009 12:09
The Chairperson of CIE has said investigations into the Luas and bus crash on O'Connell Street in Dublin will show that the Dublin Bus driver had a green light.
A Dublin Bus and Luas tram collided yesterday afternoon at the O'Connell Street, Abbey Street junction.
More than 20 people were taken to hospital after the accident, which took place just after 3pm.
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Chairman Dr John Lynch said the Railway Safety Commission will cover all aspects of what happened yesterday afternoon.
He said the investigation will take some time to be completed.
Dr Lynch said it will look at whether there was a problem with the Luas operation; given the fact the bus driver had a green light. He said the bus driver is badly shaken but alright.
Dr Lynch said that he has reviewed CCTV footage of the incident.
He said that a full investigation will need to take place before the full details of what happened emerge.
Dr Lynch said that whatever occurred was out of the ordinary given the wide nature of the street.
Dublin Bus has been in contact with the passengers affected.
This morning, O'Connell Street reopened to all traffic.
Disruption to services on the Luas Red Line continues with services running only between Tallaght and Smithfield.
Both the Luas and the bus have been removed from the scene.
Three people are said to be in a stable condition in hospital.
Gardaí, Veolia Transport and Dublin Bus are investigating the cause of the collision.
Gardaí concluded their investigation of the crash scene at 4am
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