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August 29, 2001 |
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MTA Declares September 'Metro Blue Line Safety Month'
Versión
en español Metro Blue Line Safety
Month includes several key features:
Metro Blue Line Safety
Month is strategically timed to remind returning students about safety
around tracks and trains. "This is an excellent
opportunity to deliver the safety message to thousands of young people in
a short span of time," said Abdul Zohbi, MTA's manager of system
safety. "If we can make the connection now, our children will carry
those lessons with them into their adult years." MTA's ongoing public
safety awareness program has resulted in a significant decrease in recent
years in the number of train vs. vehicle and train vs. pedestrian
accidents. MTA staff members have made door-to-door contact with residents
living along the Metro Blue Line alignment and conducted safety
presentations to numerous schools, community organizations, homeowner
groups and safety fairs. MTA staff conducts a
Metro Rail safety tour program in which students along the Metro Blue Line
alignment are invited to ride the trains and learn about the rail system
and how they can be safe near train tracks. In addition, safety
brochures have been distributed to Department of Motor Vehicle offices and
public libraries, and signs have been posted on trains to reinforce the
safety message. Technological
improvements, law enforcement and MTA-sponsored legislation also have
played a large role in reducing the number of Metro Blue Line accidents. The technological
improvements introduced by MTA include the use of photo enforcement at
selected crossings, swing gates, pedestrian gates, train-activated "No
Left Turn" signs, media islands, additional active warning lights at
various crossings, and installation of the ARC (Alternating Rail Car)
light system on the rail vehicles. Following a year-long
test, MTA has been granted approval to install a four quadrant gate system
at key crossings, and MTA continues to evaluate a "second train
coming" warning sign at Vernon Station for possible future installation
at other key crossings. In addition, MTA has
relocated and redesigned the train signals which provide instructions to
train operators, and the agency has installed fiber optic "Train"
signs in the Los Angeles street running portion of the alignment along
Washington Blvd. and Flower St. to provide an enhanced warning for
motorists of oncoming trains. Since these design changes have been
implemented, the rate of accidents caused by illegal left turns has been
reduced dramatically. MTA currently is working on expanding these projects
and installing such signs in the city of Long Beach. The reduction in
accidents is also attributed to vigorous enforcement of rail crossing
regulations by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department motorcycle team, as
well as the increase in the fine for rail crossing violations and the
inclusion of rail safety questions in the Department of Motor Vehicle
California Drivers Handbook/test, both spearheaded by MTA. "We've made a
concerted effort through our use of technology, law enforcement and
person-to-person contact, to encourage people to do the right thing when
they approach the Metro Blue Line tracks," said Zohbi. "We believe
Metro Blue Line Safety Month is another important step toward making
safety everyone's first concern." MTA-117 |
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