Metrolink peer review report - Ventura County Star

METROLINK COMMUTER RAIL SAFETY PEER REVIEW PANEL
Final Report – January 5, 2009 Introduction
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Summary
The Southern California Regional Rail Authority's (SCRRA)
Chairman appointed an Ad Hoc Subcommittee to establish an
independent Metrolink Commuter Rail Safety Peer Review Panel
(Panel) that was tasked with analyzing the Metrolink operating
function through interviews and data analysis. This report
summarizes the observations and recommendations of the Panel,
and includes recommendations for short, medium, and long term
safety and operating enhancements to the Metrolink system. The
goal of this report and the basis of observations and
recommendations are: 1) increasing safety through redundancy; 2)
increasing safety of train operations; and 3) reducing the risk and
severity of accidents.
In 1991, SCRRA, an independent Joint Powers Authority (JPA), consisting of the Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), the
Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) and
the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), was formed to develop a regional transit service to
reduce the congestion on highways and improve mobility throughout the Southern California region. These
agencies are collectively referred to as the Member Agencies.
Metrolink is regarded as a vital public asset in its service region, improving both mobility and air quality (through
lower emissions per passenger-mile).
Now in its 16th year of operation, Metrolink consists of seven lines, 56 stations and 45,000 daily passengers.
There are 155 existing commuter coaches and 38 locomotives. Future plans for fleet and rail service expansion will
result in a fleet of 304 commuter coaches and 53 locomotives, a 96% and 39% increase respectively.
Metrolink operates and maintains its facilities based on funding provided by its Member Agencies. These
agencies supply funding based on a formula developed during the inception of service. In addition, the Member
Agencies own the right-of-way over which Metrolink operates. As a result, there may be differences in the
maintenance of the right-of-way based on funding constraints or supplemental contracting. Funding for capital
improvements is obtained through the Member Agencies and other state and federal funding sources.
The Metrolink model utilizes Operating Contract Service Providers (OCSP) to provide the following services:
• Maintenance of Way (MOW): Right-of-way and railroad facility inspection and maintenance;
• Train Operations: Supply and train engineers and conductors for Metrolink Trains;
• Signal Maintenance: Railroad signal facility inspection and maintenance; and
• Maintenance of Equipment (MOE or rail vehicle maintenance): Inspection and maintenance of
Metrolink rail vehicles.
Metrolink also employs other contractors and consultants to perform engineering, program management,
flagging protection, and construction management. The Member Agencies periodically hire contractors to
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