South Florida’s Brightline has highlighted an old problem – every year for the past decade, 900 pedestrians were killed by trains

High-speed passenger trains like Florida's Brightline travel through dense neighborhoods, increasing the likelihood of accidents involving pedestrians. Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

In 2018, high-speed passenger trains branded as Brightline started running along the formerly freight-only Florida East Coast Railway. Initial service from Miami to West Palm Beach was extended to Orlando in 2023. Unfortunately, the southern end of the line is in the spotlight because of collisions with pedestrians and motor vehicles.

The safety concerns have received extensive coverage in the Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel, The Atlantic and on local television and radio stations.