"Metrorail reactivated the Alexandria Rail Yard (C99) Automatic Train Control (ATC) system over the safety-based objections of Metrorail's subject matter experts, the ATC Engineering Department" #wmata
WMSC has a slight bit of detail about the Potomac Yard ATC signaling design delay in today's latest findings. The initial design didn't align with #wmata standards, and the agency wasn't following them. Metro itself delayed the project to fix the deficiency.
And in this paragraph, the WMSC says #wmata 's currently-ongoing Red Line tunnel ventilation project began construction before doing a hazard analysis, and the construction has resulted in new columns partially blocking an emergency egress route from the tunnel to surface.
"Metrorail stated that the Safety Department's safety certification group 'was not included in the review of the [Request For Proposal] design documents' and that '#WMATA is in the early stages of evaluating design options to address this hazard.'"
WMSC key takeaways: #wmata has a "general lack of understanding" of the importance of safety certification (i.e. departments following Metro's rules) and the Safety department apparently has a "lack of authority" to control the process.
Not sure if there's any relation to today's @MetrorailSafety report, but power to the entire Alexandria Yard was brought down ~2 hours ago for ATC switch verification work. #wmata
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
This appears to be correct. Southbound GR train 508 is holding @ Mt. Vernon Sq not continuing south; northbound GR/504 is holding @ Navy Yard not continuing north. #wmata
The #wmata Executive Committee heard brief comments from the IG and voted to approve the office's next yearly work plan. There were no Board member questions.
The #wmata Safety & Operations committee voted to approve a request to open Metrorail 2 hours early on Sunday, Sept 12th at 5a for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler and waive the $100k/hr fee.
A "small bump" in the ride was reported by a #wmata employee on the inbound track after departing National Airport. Single-tracking continues via the outbound track. Delays, both directions.
The bad Red Line train is on its way at 15mph to Brentwood Yard (between Rhode Island Ave & NoMa), so delays should begin to reduce once it gets there.
Alexandria statement re: the Potomac Yard delay calls the ATC issue a "contract language mistake" regarding ATC technical specifications (also that it is "inexcusable") #wmata
#wmata informed Alexandria of its decision to delay the PY opening for ~5 months to fix the ATC design issue it found, not the other way around. Not sure why Alexandria would know more about the issue than the agency's own staff...