Metrolink peer review report - Ventura County Star

More documents

Recommendations

Info

METROLINK COMMUTER RAIL SAFETY PEER REVIEW PANEL Final Report – January 5, 2009 Issue Paper #4: Safety Performance Measurements Issue Papers The key to safety performance measurements is conducting quality observations of safety critical employees and measuring performance and effectiveness of the Observation and Testing Program. The Panel has presented observations and recommendations in four key areas related to safety performance measurements: 1. Operational Testing Plans 2. Responsibilities for Efficiency Testing 3. Liquidated Damages Provision 4. Testing and Observation Data Process Observations 1. Operational Testing Plans During interviews with Metrolink and contractor staff it was determined that the efficiency testing program and Operational Testing Plans could benefit from enhancement of the following disciplines: • Dispatchers • Mechanical Department employees • Train and Engine service • Contractor Testing Officers While the engineering and construction operational testing plan is comprehensive and contains all the key elements of a model plan, it appears that there is an inconsistency in the application of the plan across the system. During observations and interviews with key staff it was determined that many of the tests were being performed, yet did not have the consistency of regular and systematic reporting. This was evidenced by two different reports of the same efficiency tests by two different SCRRA departments with the same data. 2. Responsibilities for Efficiency Testing There may be ambiguity with regard to efficiency testing responsibilities, which may be affecting proper oversight. Metrolink supervisors conduct efficiency tests on contractor employees while apparently other contractor employees are only tested by their supervisors. The engineering operational testing plan allows efficiency tests on contractor employees to be performed by Metrolink supervisors. 3. Liquidated Damages Provisions SCRRA’s contract with its operating service provider includes a liquidated damage provision for rules compliance violations, in addition to other application for other issues. In recent contracts, SCRRA has extended this practice to other contracts and increased the magnitude of these liquidated damages to very significant levels. SCRRA should assess the impact of the operating contract’s liquidated damages provisions for rules violations to determine if they are achieving the desired results. The Panel’s concern is that this type of provision may act as a disincentive to the contractor to perform observations and testing in safety critical areas that may result in violations. The liquated damage provision should focus on the contractor’s compliance with the requirement to have an Operation Testing Plan in place and its Plan implementation. 36
METROLINK COMMUTER RAIL SAFETY PEER REVIEW PANEL Final Report – January 5, 2009 Issue Papers 4. Testing and Observation Data Process The Panel recommends a systematic way to develop trend analysis and other studies to determine areas of concern. The SCRRA Testing and Observation Program reporting and analysis process requires review. The report process needs to be enhanced and accurate analyses of testing results are necessary. Recommendations 1. Operational Testing Plans a. Enhance the Operations Testing Plan. The following activities should be performed by SCRRA and its contractors. Observation Testing Plans Dispatchers Mechanical Department Compose operational testing plans for measuring compliance of Metrolink dispatchers and contractor testing officers. Review contractor’s Operational Testing Plan for Mechanical Department employees utilizing Blue Signal Protection (yard signaling). Review contractors’ Operational Testing Plan for train and engine service employees Review all plans to determine if they are compliant with the new requirements to part 217. Select a reviewing officer for each Metrolink plan Have contractors notify SCRRA of identification of their review officers Review records to ascertain if all testing officers are qualified as required by the regulation Train and Engine Service Contractor Testing Officers X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Specific actions that could be implemented to enhance efficiency testing include: • Produce an Efficiency Testing Plan: o Identify all Metrolink and Contractor testing officers qualified to conduct efficiency tests on safety critical positions. o Produce a schedule to observe each safety critical position within an acceptable timeframe. o Create a template to be used by the testing officers for consistent application of observations of pertinent safety critical rules. 37
Page 1 and 2: METROLINK COMMUTER RAIL SAFETY PEER
Page 39: METROLINK COMMUTER RAIL SAFETY PEER
Page 85: METROLINK COMMUTER RAIL SAFETY PEER

Metrolink peer review report - Ventura County Star

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?