NTSB Issues Emergency Recommendations to CTA, FTA

The National Transportation Safety Board on Friday issued two emergency safety recommendations to the CTA and has asked for a response detailing its actions or plans to take action to implement them within the next 30 days to avoid future incidents caused by "unintended (train) movement." 

The NTSB launched its investigation after an un-manned Blue Line train crashed into a train full of passengers Sept. 30. 

"The recommendations address the need for redundant protection to prevent unintended train movements on the CTA system," the report reads. 

The unoccupied train had been stored at the Forest Park Repair Terminal when it started moving Monday, traveling almost a mile downhill about 7:43 a.m. before it hit a stationary train occupied by about 40 people. The emergency brakes were applied and the train was momentarily stopped several times as it moved toward the Harlem Avenue station, according to the report. Officials said 33 people were injured. No injuries were life-threatening. 

Keep up with local news: Sign up for our free email newsletter, then like us on Facebook for  a slightly different take.

According to the report, unoccupied CTA trains are routinely left powered on while stored with the brake setting that would allow movement through a mechanical train stop mechanism after a momentary stop.

De-energizing propulsion power and using an alternate brake setting, such as derails or wheel chocks, "could prevent unintended movement and ensure that a train that does move unintentionally would remain stopped at a mechanical train stop mechanism," according to the report.

NTSB recommended the CTA review its 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 immediately implement "redundant" means of stopping unintended rail car movements, such as a derail or wheel chock. 

NTSB also issued one urgent recommendation to the Federal Transit Administration, advising it to issue a safety advisory to all rail transit properties asking them to review their operating and maintenance procedures for stored and unoccupied cars to ensure nothing would or could facilitate unintended movement.

NTSB officials are still investigating the accident, and asked the CTA for a response within 30 days that details the actions it has taken or intends to take to implement their recommendations. 

Related: 

• Report: NTSB Considers 'Emergency Recommendation' to CTA
• Media Reports: No One On Train That Crashed Near Harlem
• CTA Investigating Why Train Started Moving From Rail Yard, Caused Crash
• Injury Count Dropped to 33 in Blue Line Crash