Metrolink peer review report - Ventura County Star

METROLINK COMMUTER RAIL SAFETY PEER REVIEW PANEL
Final Report – January 5, 2009
Executive Summary
Metrolink Enhanced Safety Action Plan: Upon completion of the safety review process, the Panel developed an
Enhanced Safety Action Plan with recommendations on eight key issues identified by the Panel. In addition,
short-term (six months), intermediate-term (18 months), and long-term (up to four years) milestones for each of
the recommended actions to increase safety were developed. These recommendations can be seen in Charts 1 and
2. The eight specific areas are:
1. Safety Culture:
While the SCRRA and contractor staff have a respect for safety and are aware of their impact on safety, the overall
safety culture of the Agency should be enhanced. By ‘safety culture’ the Panel means an organizational culture
that actively promotes and supports safety. The shared values, beliefs and assumptions result in behavioral norms
that help prevent accidents.
2. SCRRA Organizational Structure
SCRRA’s organizational structure plays a role in how safety functions are performed. The roles and
responsibilities of some safety-related operational functions at Metrolink are not as defined as they should be.
The Panel recommends that SCRRA operations oversight staffing level needs to keep pace with the Metrolink
service growth and provide additional contractor oversight.
The Panel recommended that an Organizational Analysis be performed for the entire SCRRA organization and
across all departments. This analysis should be used to determine needed staff positions, the need for
reorganization and reassignment of staffing positions and the clarification of the functions of the various SCRRA
departments
3. System Safety Program Plan (SSPP)
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
could be enhanced.
The SSPP should be redrafted to reflect the recommendations in this report, specifically the organizational
recommendations, and should reflect the results of the Organizational Analysis.
4. Safety Performance Measurements
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 three key areas related to safety performance measurements:
1. Operational Testing Plans;
2. Responsibilities for Efficiency Testing; and
3. Observation and Testing Program Data Process.
It was noted that SCRRA does not have an electronic data system; such a system would make the tabulation and
evaluation of the results of Efficiency Testing much easier. New FRA regulations coming into effect in 2009 will
require close monitoring of testing, including the development of testing plans to address deficiencies. It is
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