Metrolink peer review report - Ventura County Star

METROLINK COMMUTER RAIL SAFETY PEER REVIEW PANEL
Final Report – January 5, 2009
Issue Paper #3: System Safety Program Plan
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Issue Papers
Observations
SCRRA Operations and Safety Staff: The Panel observed that SCRRA operations and safety staff do oversee the
essential aspects of operations safety. This oversight is accomplished through their experience, knowledge,
continuity of working relationships with contractor staff and continuous prioritization and reprioritization of
needs and tasks. However, this oversight can be more comprehensive, systematic, documented and effective.
Oversight of field observations and, in particular, incident management is one area that illustrates the potential for
a problem. The Panel recommends a contracted or in-house designated management function to coordinate the
daily field operations/activities. It appears that through longstanding practice, the transportation contractor
(supplemented where needed by SCRRA operations staff) largely performs these functions currently. The system
is working, but can be improved.
In addition to the need for enhanced incident management, the Panel observed that a Risk Assessment Function
should be established, which would develop a broadened organization-wide risk assessment process and
incorporate that process into the updated SSPP.
Under the current SCRRA organization, the safety function reports to the Assistant Executive Director, Operating
Services. System safety responsibilities therefore appear to exist primarily within the operating department level.
Every department and employee of SCRRA has a role to perform in system safety that must be included in the
SSPP and measured appropriately. All staff support departments that have a direct or indirect impact on the
performance of system safety must explicitly address the safety components of their function.
The oversight of operational safety requires management dedicated to rules compliance with authority over all
rules compliance functions in all operating divisions. In most railroads, this position reports directly to the chief
operating officer.
Board of Directors and Member Agencies: The Panel observed that the roles of the Board of Directors and the
Member Agencies in the creation of system safety have not been addressed in the SSPP. The Board and Member
Agencies have a critical responsibility for system safety. They must work with management to foster and build a
culture of transparency at all levels within SCRRA that demonstrates a willingness to hear and encourage full
disclosure, performance of requisite due diligence about system safety, and to set system safety policy.
Recommendations
a. Redraft the SSPP based on the conclusions of the Organizational Analysis, with particular attention to:
i. The oversight functions for in-house and contractor operations.
ii. All essential components and the agency’s functions, which must be accountable in the System Safety
Program from the Board of Directors through the CEO to all departments.
iii. Contracts and SCRRA policies and procedures, which must be conformed to the updated SSPP and
related Standard Operating Procedures.
iv. Continued conformance with American Public Transportation Association (APTA) standards and
maintain as a control document.