APTA StandardsRail Operating Practices

Duane SayersHonolulu Rapid Transit Division

dsayers@honoulu.govOffice: 808 768-6162

APTA StandardsMission Statement:

To develop, implement and maintain standards, recommended practices and

design guidelines to achieve safety, reliability and efficiency in transit

system design and operation.

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

Why…

Motivation for developing rail transitstandards• …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 theEnglish language are: 'I'm from thegovernment and I'm here to help.”

- Ronald Reagan

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

How It’s Made…

• What is the process?

How It’s Made…

How It’s Made…

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

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)

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)

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

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.

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

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

In The Hopper…• Standard for Electronic

Device Distraction PolicyPurpose– 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.

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…

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

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?

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?

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?

And Finally…Compliance

• Do they want to do it?

• Do they have to do it?

• Or do they say they do it?

What is your corporate culture on APTA Standards?1 cul·ture kәl-chәr\: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizesan institution or organization

Mahalo!