WMATA electrical power. Photo: courtesy of FTA.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued Special Directive 17-1 to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) that requires the agency to complete 47 actions to correct deficiencies in its Metrorail traction power electrification (TPE) system. The special directive is based on 22 findings from a newly released FTA investigation report on the condition and safety performance of the TPE system.
The report found that the traction power system continues to be a concern although the number and severity of electrical arcing events has been reduced. The WMATA experienced 18 electrical arcing events on segments of the Red Line from March 1 to June 14 of this year, including four major events at the end of April and early May. Since June 15, there have been only eight relatively minor events.
“The safe operation of Metrorail service is directly dependent on WMATA implementing corrective actions to reduce and eliminate electrical arcing events that have too often resulted in smoke and fire, which can endanger passenger safety,” stated U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “WMATA has already started to address these issues, and the FTA report and special directive will help WMATA prioritize what it must do to improve its traction power system to keep the trains running safely.”
The FTA investigation focused on four categories of safety critical concerns: TPE System Roles, Responsibilities, and Resources; TPE Infrastructure; Testing and Inspection Programs; and Capital Projects. The investigation found that the TPE has deteriorated with age, deferred maintenance, and increased exposure to water and other contaminating materials, and also found that key components of the system have been compromised. The report also states that the WMATA eliminated preventive maintenance programs to test key traction power components to predict failures, eliminated or cut back cleaning programs in tunnels, and limited its corrosion control testing program.
Over the last year, WMATA has taken a number of critical steps to address deficiencies within its traction power system. The Special Directive instructs the WMATA to develop corrective action plans to address the findings of the report and related required actions. The FTA’s reports do not amount to a finding that the Metrorail system is “unsafe.”
FTA Acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers said, “WMATA, like many legacy systems, is struggling to manage the safety consequences of aging traction power systems that have suffered from deferred maintenance. Under FTA oversight, WMATA is addressing the issue, and must provide sufficient staffing and resources to ensure lasting safety improvements are made.”