7 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

WTOP radio, 8/8:
 

Federal regulators blast Metro safety, failed track inspections

 

WASHINGTON — After a derailment last month and a series of other safety issues tied to the tracks, the Federal Transit Administration said in a long-awaited report Monday that Metro fails to properly train track inspectors, does not give those inspectors enough time on the tracks and fails to fully utilize a high-tech automated inspection vehicle.

 

The report, which is mainly based on the FTA “safety blitz” investigation completed this spring, directs Metro to review track inspection resources and training, address conflicts and confusion in a key track maintenance and inspection manual, increase oversight of track quality, and improve track construction and maintenance.

 

Additional information was added after the July 29 derailment of a Silver Line train near East Falls Church, according to the report.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post, 8/8:
 

In scathing report, FTA blasts Metro track maintenance program

 

A new Federal Transit Administration report blasts Metro’s track inspection and repair protocol for “systemic safety deficiencies” and issued 12 corrective actions that Metro must take to overhaul its track maintenance program.

 

Among the problems cited by the FTA: Metro officials knew of problems, but did not shut down the section of track involved in the July 29 derailment because they needed it for single-tracking as part of SafeTrack surges involving the Orange and Silver Lines.

 

The 36-page report and corrective actions issued are the result of months of investigations into Metro’s track maintenance practices, and outline systemic problems with the protocol used to conduct routine repairs and track work – issues that became even more apparent late last month when a Silver Line train derailed just outside of East Falls Church station.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

FTA news release:

FTA Releases WMATA Track Integrity Investigation Report and Issues Safety Directive to Correct Systemic Track Safety Problems

 

 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today issued a Safety Directive to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) requiring the transit agency to complete 12 actions to correct track integrity deficiencies in the Metrorail system.  The Safety Directive is based on 12 significant findings set out in a Track Integrity Investigation Report also released today. The report includes findings from FTA’s spring 2016 “Safety Blitz” assessment of Metrorail and details systemic deficiencies in the inspection, maintenance and repair of track that have contributed to or could have resulted in train derailments and other track-related incidents. 

 

“FTA’s comprehensive investigation into WMATA’s track inspection and maintenance program has revealed significant safety concerns,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “FTA has directed Metrorail to take specific action to correct these deficiencies, and continues to provide vigorous oversight of Metrorail’s safety efforts in other areas of operations.” 

 

“While WMATA has taken a number of critical steps to address safety deficiencies, it must improve its track safety protocols and training programs,” said FTA Acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers. “In addition, greater coordination is needed between WMATA track and maintenance personnel to prioritize work and adhere to established standards, including conditions that warrant speed restrictions or single tracking.”

 

The FTA track integrity investigation that began earlier this year is the result of its review of WMATA’s investigation into a major derailment that occurred on August 6, 2015, near Smithsonian Station and information obtained from other incidents in the system. The investigation took place between March and June 2016, focusing on 10 specific track segments [external link], including portions of all six Metrorail lines. The report also includes preliminary findings from FTA’s investigation of the July 29, 2016, Metrorail passenger train derailment near the East Falls Church Station.

 

The FTA investigation evaluated the quality of WMATA’s track standards, the effectiveness of procedures for identifying track defects and imposing speed restrictions, the quality of training for track inspectors and maintainers, the resources currently available to support track inspections, coordination and information sharing across maintenance departments, and specific track maintenance and construction quality program issues.

 

The 12 safety findings detailed in the FTA report address WMATA’s systemic deficiencies in:  track inspection resources and training; its track inspection manual; track quality oversight and supervision; and track construction and maintenance. Among the findings include: track inspectors have inadequate training; there is insufficient time for track inspection; there is not a clear process for track inspectors and supervisors to impose and remove speed restrictions; there is a failure to use inspection data to inform and prioritize track maintenance; and inspection and maintenance activity does not adequately address the tunnel drainage system where water can have a corrosive effect on track infrastructure.

 

As directed by Safety Directive 16-4, WMATA must develop corrective action plans to address the findings of the report and related required actions. WMATA’s proposed corrective action plans are subject to FTA approval, and FTA will monitor the agency’s progress to implement the safety improvements.

 

FTA can enforce the required actions through a number of means, including the withholding of Federal financial assistance from WMATA, directing WMATA to use Federal financial assistance to correct safety deficiencies, and mandating restrictions or prohibitions on Metrorail operations (such as imposing speed restrictions or shutting down some or all system operations) to abate a substantial safety risk. 

 

The report and Safety Directive are the latest actions taken by FTA as it provides temporary and direct oversight of WMATA Metrorail and the transit agency’s efforts to improve safety and bring the Metrorail system into a state of good repair.

[CNJRoss]

WTOP radio, 8/9:
 

Local leaders say Metro safety report troubling, not surprising

 

WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration may have issued a new report about Metro safety this week, but the findings are raising the same concerns that have dogged the rail system for years, local officials say.

 

“Candidly, there are no surprises for me,” said Montgomery County Council member Sydney Katz. “We all know that there are tremendous problems.”

 

“They’re obviously in great need for many, many things to be done to make this a safe and reliable service,” added Katz.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

WTOP radio, 10/28:
 

Metro unions: Workers don’t feel safe on track; will follow rules

 

WASHINGTON — The unions representing thousands of Metro workers say that starting next week, they will ensure that all of their members will actually follow all of Metro’s standard operating procedures, in part because workers do not always feel safe on the tracks.

 

In a statement announcing what the unions call a “Safety Solidarity Surge,” Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 said shop stewards and more senior union leaders from their union, OPEIU Local 2, and Teamsters Local 922, will gather Monday in Forestville, Maryland, for “refresher training on all of the SOPs that Metro requires of its workforce.”

 

“Then those officers will be going throughout the system to instruct the workforce on making sure they follow every procedure without exception,” the release said.

 

Continue here.

Press release.

[CNJRoss]

WTOP radio, 11/16:
 

New federal findings reveal slew of safety issues at Metro

 

New documents from the Federal Transit Administration reveal Metro lacked a program management plan before starting 24/7 track work and emergency exit pathways were poorly lit and nearly pitch black among other issues.

 

WASHINGTON — New documents from the Federal Transit Administration reveal Metro lacked a program management plan before starting 24/7 track work, emergency exit pathways were nearly pitch black, there were problems with tracks in rail yards identified after a derailment and a new communications failure.

 

The FTA on Wednesday also updated information about corrective action plans that Metro must submit to address significant issues.

 

While 126 plans are not yet due, 59 of the 251 total have either not been submitted or are otherwise past due based on when Metro estimated it would be able to submit them. Among those past due are plans for detailed tunnel ventilation procedures and an assessment of ways to improve the ventilation system in response to smoke incidents. The FTA has rejected some plans Metro did submit and approved others.

 

Continue here w/photos.

[CNJRoss]

WTOP radio, 11/17:
 

Metro’s crumbling crossties may be too small to begin with

 

WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration is raising questions about whether Metro rail ties are the proper size to keep tracks safely in place.

 

A federal inspection report released Wednesday says inspectors have “consistently noted” WMATA crossties on mainline track that are 7 1/2 inches. Metro’s own standards call for rail ties at switches to have at least an 8-inch face.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

WTOP radio, 11/17:
 

Metro GM: Dire situation led to starting 24/7 work without full plan

 

WASHINGTON — Even though the Federal Transit Administration said Metro had no complete plan before launching 24/7 track work last year, Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said Thursday that not only was it the right thing to do, but he wishes he’d done it sooner.

 

“Would I have loved to have time to work this all through? Yes,” he said. “But when you see the conditions of what we’re up against, we had to move and move very quickly.”

 

Continue here.