LATEST NEWS
March 15, 2013
Recent media reports have described a Feb. 5 incident in which two WMATA employees were nearly struck by a train on the Orange Line between Vienna and Dunn Loring stations. The TOC would like to clarify that, contrary to news reports, this incident did not occur on the new Dulles Corridor/Silver Line. Although the train involved had been used for Silver Line testing, the incident itself relates to WMATA’s general practices and procedures but not the Silver Line. WMATA has been conducting a serious investigation into the incident, and the TOC continues to work with WMATA to prevent such an incident from happening again on the Metrorail system.
March 15, 2013
The TOC delivered a presentation to the WMATA Board of Directors Safety and Security Committee on March 14. The TOC is invited to provide these status updates three to four times a year at the committee’s meetings. The report included the TOC's recent activities, a discussion of recent WMATA incident investigations, and improvements to the TOC's Corrective Action Plan tracking process. The presentation slides can be viewed here.
February 14, 2013
TOC met with staff from WMATA yesterday to discuss the preliminary results of the investigation into the January 30, 2013, train evacuation incident near Anacostia station on the Green Line. WMATA plans to share the preliminary results of its investigation conducted to date to the WMATA Board of Directors Safety and Security Committee today. The TOC and its executive leadership have expressed numerous questions and concerns regarding safety policies and procedures germane to this incident, and TOC members have been in regular contact with WMATA Safety Department personnel to obtain information about the investigation as it becomes available. Though WMATA's investigation remains ongoing, TOC is pleased with the thoroughness and level of detail of WMATA's investigative process to date. We believe that the early findings and recommendations relayed to the TOC thus far represent WMATA's ongoing commitment to improving the safety of the Metrorail system, a commitment shared with the TOC. As WMATA concludes its investigation, TOC will carefully review associated investigation reports to ensure that all safety oversight program requirements are adhered to.
December 31, 2012
The TOC will begin a new cycle of Three-Year Safety and Security Reviews of the Metrorail system in 2013. The last such reviews were conducted in 2010. These reviews are the TOC’s opportunity to verify through interviews, record inspections, and field reviews that WMATA is adhering to its safety and security plans and procedures. Through these audits, the TOC issues recommendations for improvements to safety and security programs. The TOC looks forward to working with WMATA as the new review cycle begins.
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TOC representatives are troubled to hear news from New York City of a person killed after being intentionally pushed in front of a moving train on Thursday, December 27. This was the second such fatality at a Metropolitan Transportation Authority station this month. The TOC understands that although these incidents are extremely rare and did not occur in the Washington metropolitan area, they may cause some public concern. The TOC is working with WMATA to ensure they have appropriate measures in place to help prevent or mitigate such occurrences. Preventive measures may include police surveillance methods, technology, public service announcements, and assistance with those possibly in need of mental healthcare.
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The TOC delivered a presentation to the WMATA Board of Directors Safety and Security Committee in early December. The TOC is invited to provide these status updates three to four times a year at the committee’s meetings. The report highlighted the TOC’s recent accomplishments, plans for the future, and topics related to accident investigations and Corrective Action Plans. The presentation slides can be viewed here.
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The TOC completed a special study of WMATA’s rules compliance programs in November. This study involved discussions, document reviews, and field observations with personnel responsible for checking whether Train Operators and other employees are following safety rules. In general, WMATA’s current rule compliance efforts mark a significant improvement over past practice. In early 2013, the TOC will issue a final report with detailed recommendations on how WMATA can strengthen its rule compliance programs.
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