What is the speed of one mile per hour, expressed in feet per second?

To determine the speed of one mile per hour in feet per second, it is essential to know the conversions between miles, feet, and hours.

One mile equals 5,280 feet and one hour equals 3,600 seconds. Therefore, if you want to convert one mile per hour to feet per second, you would use the following calculation:

1 mile/hour = 5,280 feet / 3,600 seconds.

When you perform the division:

5,280 feet ÷ 3,600 seconds = 1.4667 feet per second.

This value is approximately equal to 1.47 feet per second. Consequently, rounding down, the closest option that aligns with this calculation is approximately 1.5 feet per second, which confirms why this option is identified as the correct answer. Understanding these conversions is essential in train operations as they relate speed to the railway context and safety measures in operational practices.