The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued Safety Directive 16-4 to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) that requires the authority to complete 12 actions to correct Metrorail track integrity deficiencies.
“FTA’s comprehensive investigation into WMATA’s track inspection and maintenance program has revealed significant safety concerns,” stated 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.”
The Safety Directive is based on findings set out in a Track Integrity Investigation Report that took place between March and June 2016 and includes details on systemic deficiencies in the inspection, maintenance and repair of track that have contributed to or could have resulted in train derailments and other incidents.
FTA Acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers said, “While WMATA has taken a number of critical steps to address safety deficiencies, it must improve its track safety protocols and training programs. 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 report details WMATA’s systemic deficiencies in track inspection resources and training, its track inspection manual, track quality oversight and supervision, and track construction and maintenance.
The report also found the following: 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.
The FTA can enforce these actions by withholding Federal financial assistance from WMATA, directing the transit agency to use Federal financial assistance to correct safety deficiencies, and mandating restrictions or prohibitions on Metrorail operations.
WMATA must develop corrective action plans to address the findings of the report and related required actions, with the plans being subject to FTA approval. The FTA will continue to monitor the agency’s progress to implement the safety improvements.