DC Metro Crash-NTSB inspecting Railroad/Train track sensor and control systems
In a continuing series of articles about the DC Metro crash, as of Friday, June 26, 2009 Metro was manually checking all of the 3000 circuits in the Metro rail system because the National Transportation Safety Board pinpointed a problem in these systems that could have contributed to cause the crash that has killed nine persons and injured more than 70.
See prior related articles:
Potential Causes of DC Metro Crash Arising-Signals and Operator Combined?
Metro Railroad Trains Collide Outside Washington, D.C.–At Least Six Dead, 60 Injured
At least 6 Dead, 60 or More Injured in Washington, DC Area Metro Train Crash
Metro Trains Collide Outside of Washington, D.C. During Rush Hour Traffic
Washington, D.C. Nightmare As Metro Trains Collide– As Many As 7 Dead and Over 70 Injured
Metro is also responding to its largest union which demanded that it move the oldest Metro rail cars, called 1000 series, to the middle section of the Metro trains in the future. In fact, in the recent DC Metro crash, the 1000 series car was smashed to about one third of its original size and this was an issue that the NTSB questioned in previous accidents of Metro’s subway cars.
With regard to the operator who died in the crash, evidence showed that she was attempting to brake and stop the train for at least 125 feet before the impact, and no cell/text issue was involved. My railroad injury case experience leads me to believe that electrical signal/control malfunction likely contributed to this crash, and its unclear whether the operator contributed pending full review of the electronic data relating to speed, braking and other factors.