2009•University of North Texas Digital Library (University of North Texas)Open access

The Federal Role in Rail Transit Safety

David Randall Peterman, William J. Mallett

Abstract

On June 22, 2009, two transit trains in Washington, DC, collided, resulting in nine deaths and dozens of injuries. It was the worst crash in the history of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's rail transit system. This crash has raised questions about the safety of rail transit and the government's role in ensuring that safety. Nationwide, rail transit is considered one of the safest modes of transportation. This report discusses the State Safety Oversight Program, which went into effect in 1997 and mandates that states are responsible for the safety of the rail transit systems within their borders. This report also explores several issues that Federal Transit Administration (FTA) representatives have discussed in regards to improving the Safety Oversight Program.

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Key concepts: Transit (satellite), Crash, Metropolitan area, Transport engineering, Train, Rail transit, Government (linguistics), Administration (probate law)