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    1. Rail

    DC: NTSB Closes 7 Metro Safety Recommendations

    Nov. 6, 2013
    Metro has now closed 20 of 29 recommendations.
    Related To: WMATA-Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has closed seven more of Metro’s outstanding safety recommendations, bringing the total number of recommendations closed to 20 out of 29.

    “The closure of seven recommendations by the NTSB continues our steady progress toward making the system safer for riders and employees,” said Metro General Manager Richard Sarles.  “With the hard work of our employees and continued funding support from our stakeholders, we will stay on our path to bring all safety recommendations to closure.”

    The seven recommendations recently closed by NTSB are:

    • R-07-025 Ensure appropriate coordination between all departments responsible for maintenance and design to resolve issues before new equipment is purchased.
    • R-07-026 Establish a single point of responsibility within [Car Maintenance] to quickly evaluate and incorporate actions identified through accident investigations or related research.
    • R-07-027 Establish written procedure regarding rail lubrication for single-track operations over switch, turnouts.
    • R-08-001 Review and update [operating rules] to provide for layers of protection for Roadway Worker – adding requirements for Briefings, Scope & Duties, acknowledgement from trains.
    • R-09-010 To all Transit Properties – Review medical history and physical examination forms and modify them as necessary to elicit information regarding  sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.
    • R-09-11 To all Transit Properties – Establish a program to identify operators who are at high risk for obstructive sleep disorders and require that such operators by appropriately evaluated and treated.
    • R-10-11 Completely remove unnecessary wayside maintenance communication system to eliminate potential for interference with Automatic Train Control system

    Of the remaining nine recommendations, four have been submitted to NTSB for closure.  The remaining five recommendations involve longer-duration projects – such as replacement of all 1000-series cars – that are in progress, but will require additional time to complete.