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Chatsworth collision inspires safety transformation
CHAPTER
Safety panel submits recommendations
The independent panel appointed to review Metrolink's operations was made up of national commuter rail
industry experts tasked with reviewing all aspects of Metrolink, from operations to internal and external
communications to crisis communications procedures.
In January 2009, the panel submitted its report. It included recommendations, called the Enhanced Safety
Action Plan, which pointed to eight key areas that Metrolink needed to improve: Safety Culture, SCRRA
Organizational Structure, System Safety Program Plan, Safety Performance Measurements, Infrastructure
Maintenance, Analysis of Metrolink Short-Term Safety Projects, Strategic Plan and Governance.
As of mid-2012, staff has completed the majority of recommended improvements for the first six key areas.
Improvements include the following:
·
Development of a stronger, more unified safety culture among Metrolink employees and
contractor co-workers (Safety Culture)
·
Enhancement of interdepartmental communications to break down silos (SCRRA Organization
and Structure)
·
Development of an agencywide risk assessment process (System Safety Program Plan)
·
Creation of a field operations department responsible for conducting efficiency testing of
foreign railroad agencies operating on Metrolink track and providing oversight testing of
contractors (Safety Performance Measurements)
·
The purchase of Guardian Fleet cars equipped with Crash Energy Management technology
and implementation of grade crossing safety and education enforcement (Infrastructure
Maintenance)
·
Installation of Automatic Train Stop technology at 49 locations to improve engineer situational
awareness, installation of inward-facing video cameras in all locomotives and continued
pursuance of PTC (Analysis of Metrolink Short-Term Safety Projects)