APTA Standards Rail Operating Practices. Duane Sayers Honolulu Rapid Transit Division Office:

Transcription

1 APTA Standards Rail Operating Practices Duane Sayers Honolulu Rapid Transit Division Office:

2 APTA Standards Mission Statement: To develop, implement and maintain standards, recommended practices and design guidelines to achieve safety, reliability and efficiency in transit system design and operation.

3 Looking Back Rail Operating Practices Committee: Established in 2001 Roughly 28 Rail Transit Agencies represented 15 approved standards 2 Standards out for public comments: Roadway Worker Protection Electronic Device Distraction

4 Why Motivation for developing rail transit standards The leaders of the rail transit industry believe the time is right to develop guidance for this growth in the industry and to create the basis for more uniform safety oversight of rail transit operations by the states. To allow agencies to police themselves to avoid Federal Regulation (FRA style) The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help. - Ronald Reagan

5 Why The main benefits are: A basis for more uniform state safety oversight programs Sharing of best practices throughout the industry A highly visible, proactive industry led safety program Guidance and help for new starts Improved communications among rail transit systems and government agencies

6 How It s Made What is the process?

7 How It s Made

8 How It s Made

9 How It s Made Need generated by FTA Dear Colleague Letter, or an event not addressed in an existing Standard White Paper developed and research done Subcommittee develops draft standard Full committee meets to review and edit subcommittee draft Changes made and sent to full committee for further review or vote Goes out for public comment on APTA Standards site Final approval by CEO Committee

10 Approved Standards Rulebook Introduction and Authority (2002) Rail Transit Accident/Incident Investigation (2002) Safe Operations in Yard (2002) Work Zone Safety (2003) Operations Control Centers (2003) Rail Transit Signals Operating Rules (2003) Rail Transit System Emergency Management (2003)

11 Approved Standards [RP] Rail Transit System Customer Relations (2004) [RP] Rail Transit System Station Procedures (2004) Contractor s Responsibility for Right Of Way Safety (2003) Rule Compliance (2004) Rail Transit System Train Operations Safety Program (2004) Training of Rail Operations and Station Operations Personnel (2004) Train Operating Personnel Reporting for Work (2004) Train Operator Hours of Service Requirements (2009)

12 Approved Standards Hours of Service Highlights Minimum Time Off Between Shifts 10 hours Maximum Shift 14 Hour straight shift 16 Hour split shift with maximum 14 hours of work Applies only to train operators Agency can add others Agency must have compliance verification process in place Agency must have fatigue awareness program Agencies given 5 years to implement to allow for contract changes and additional personnel if needed

13 In The Hopper Standard for Roadway Worker Protection Program Requirements Purpose The objective of a RWP program is to create conditions in which workers may perform duties on or near the right of way with consistent and strong programs in place to assure worker safety. A comprehensive RWP program includes rules and procedures for employee actions, formalized supervision and control actions, administration of training programs, and effective use of technology by the Rail Transit System (RTS). The purpose of this standard is to reduce the number of incidents in which roadway workers are struck and injured or killed by trains or any on-track equipment in the right of way.

14 In The Hopper In May, 2007, FTA issued a Dear Colleague letter with subject: Track Worker Protection and Maintenance Oversight In 18 months, 11 track workers lost their lives on heavy rail and commuter rail systems; more than a dozen injured October 2005 to April 2007, FTA & FRA data show a three-fold increase in rail transit worker fatalities and significant increase in injuries Immediate safety briefings urged Immediate review of track worker protection programs urged

15 In The Hopper In One Recent Rail Transit Fatal Accident: Two track workers performing routine track inspection hit from behind Train operator and track workers failed to follow proper procedures Communications failures Improper acknowledgment of train on tracks Possible belief train was on other track Train operator reaching for cell phone NTSB: Failure to follow proper procedures Failure to have appropriate procedures in place

16 In The Hopper Standard for Electronic Device Distraction Policy Purpose APTA intends this standard to prohibit the use of certain types of electronic devices as a means of eliminating unsafe distractions that have the potential to harm employees, passengers, and the general public who interact with rail vehicles and equipment.

17 In The Hopper Dear Colleague letter issued June 26, 2009 after: September, 2008 crash in Chatsworth, CA where a Metrolink commuter train collided with a Union Pacific freight train after the Metrolink engineer ran a red signal while texting, killing 25 and injuring 135

18 In The Hopper Other Electronic Device distraction Events: April 27, 2009, San Antonio bus operator captured on video texting as he slams into the rear of an SUV in rush hour traffic May 8, 2009, MBTA trolley driver rear-ends another Green Line trolley while texting his girlfriend, injuring 40

19 What s Next? FTA and APTA interested in finding out where agencies are in implementing Standards Most Excellent Pretty Good Not So Bueno What bang are they getting for their buck? Are they saving lives Are they reducing cost Is self-policing working?

20 What s Next? Are Standards current? Review of Standards older than 5 years (14 Standards approved before 2005) Small subcommittees to review each Standard and recommend changes to full committee if needed Fitness For Duty Standard?

21 Do They Work For You? Are you involved in the process? Do you review pending Standards and make comments? Do you have buy-in from your GM/President/CEO?

22 And Finally Compliance What is your corporate culture on APTA Standards? 1 cul ture kәl-chәr\ : the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization Do they want to do it? Do they have to do it? Or do they say they do it?

23 Mahalo!