Periodic Requests

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Transit
Administration

Headquarters

1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E.
Washington, DC 20590

February 21, 2014
Subject:

Update FTA 10-4-13 URGENT SAFETY ADVISORY
NTSB Urgent Safety Recommendation R-13-036
Redundant Protection to Prevent Unintended Train Movement in Rail Yards

On Friday, October 4, 2013, the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA),
Peter M. Rogoff, transmitted an Urgent Safety Advisory in response to Recommendation R-13036 issued to the FTA by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
R-13-036 was issued based on preliminary findings from the NTSB investigation of the Chicago
Transit Authority (CTA) train collision that occurred on September 30, 2013. The preliminary
report is available at: http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2013/DCA13FR014.pdf.
Preliminary findings indicate that an unmanned out-of-service train moved out of the yard, under
power, and travelled approximately one mile of mainline track before it collided with an inservice, stopped passenger train. The NTSB recommendation to the FTA is as follows:
Issue a safety advisory to all rail transit properties asking them to review their
operating and maintenance procedures for stored unoccupied cars to ensure the
propulsion and brake systems are left in a condition that would not facilitate
unintended movement and that redundant means of stopping unintended rail car
movements, such as wheel chocks and/or a derails are used. (R-13-036) (Urgent)
While the investigation into the cause of the unintended movement is still ongoing, continuing
operational safety concerns have been identified regarding the need for both improved protection
against unintended train movements, as well as proper techniques for cleaning rail car electrical
components. An inspection of one of the unmanned cars involved in the collision revealed that
improper techniques were used to clean the electrical junction box, which allowed water to enter
electrical components.
These concerns are significant enough for FTA to update the 10-4-13 Safety Advisory. Through
this update, FTA recommends that each rail transit agency:
 Conduct a safety risk assessment to evaluate the adequacy of practices and procedures in
place to manage the movement and storage of out-of-service railcars in yards and
maintenance facilities.
 Review procedures for cleaning electrical equipment, with special attention to conduit
entry points and other areas susceptible to unintended water intrusion or contamination
from the cleaning process.
 Document the results of the assessments, and take action to address any identified

concerns or issues requiring further investigation.

Please contact FTA’s Duana Love at (312) 353-3882 if you have any questions.