Other Highlights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jared Irmas
May 15, 2009 (213) 978-0741
MAYOR APPLAUDS METROLINK FOR IMPROVING COMMUTER
SAFETY
Following Mayor’s call for increased oversight in response to September 2008
Chatsworth crash, Metrolink becomes first rail agency in country to install video
cameras in locomotive cabs to monitor engineers and increase safety
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today praised Metrolink for
becoming the first commuter rail agency in the country to install video cameras
that will record all engineer and other staff activity, reducing the risk of accidents
and increasing safety.
“These cameras will prevent the kinds of tragedies visited upon Los Angeles last
year,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “Metrolink’s vote of approval today ensures the
continued safety of Los Angeles rail commuters.”
The Metrolink Board of Directors unanimously voted today to approve a contract
to install video cameras in Metrolink locomotive cabs that will record all engineer
and other staff activity for forensic and investigative purposes, including
appropriate discipline for engineers who violate operating procedures required by
law or contract.
Mayor Villaraigosa called for the installation of video cameras in September 2008
following the tragic Chatsworth crash on September 12, 2008.
Installation will begin within 30 days and will be completed by early-September
2009, at a cost not to exceed $974,502.61.
Since September 2008, Mayor Villaraigosa and his Metrolink appointees have
led, in partnership with the Metrolink Board and management, efforts to improve
commuter rail safety in Southern California. These include:
• Second set of eyes in Metrolink locomotives
• Independent safety peer review panel
• Funding and installation of automatic train stop (ATS) technology
• Funding and installation of positive train control (PTC) technology
• Funding and installation of inward facing cameras and recording
equipment
• Organizational restructuring and new safety managers
METROLINK
Metrolink (also known as the Southern California Regional Rail Authority)
operates commuter rail service in five counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside,
San Bernardino, and Ventura. Metrolink is funded by the five counties’
transportation agencies, including Metro.
Mayor Villaraigosa is a member and currently chair of the Metro Board of
Directors. Metro appoints four members and four alternates to the 11-member
Metrolink Board of Directors.
A copy of the Metrolink Board agenda and Board report (Item 19) for inward
facing cameras can be found on-line at:
http://www.metrolinktrains.com/documents/Board_Agenda/051509_Board_Agen
da_Final2.pdf
###
May 15, 2009 (213) 978-0741
MAYOR APPLAUDS METROLINK FOR IMPROVING COMMUTER
SAFETY
Following Mayor’s call for increased oversight in response to September 2008
Chatsworth crash, Metrolink becomes first rail agency in country to install video
cameras in locomotive cabs to monitor engineers and increase safety
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today praised Metrolink for
becoming the first commuter rail agency in the country to install video cameras
that will record all engineer and other staff activity, reducing the risk of accidents
and increasing safety.
“These cameras will prevent the kinds of tragedies visited upon Los Angeles last
year,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “Metrolink’s vote of approval today ensures the
continued safety of Los Angeles rail commuters.”
The Metrolink Board of Directors unanimously voted today to approve a contract
to install video cameras in Metrolink locomotive cabs that will record all engineer
and other staff activity for forensic and investigative purposes, including
appropriate discipline for engineers who violate operating procedures required by
law or contract.
Mayor Villaraigosa called for the installation of video cameras in September 2008
following the tragic Chatsworth crash on September 12, 2008.
Installation will begin within 30 days and will be completed by early-September
2009, at a cost not to exceed $974,502.61.
Since September 2008, Mayor Villaraigosa and his Metrolink appointees have
led, in partnership with the Metrolink Board and management, efforts to improve
commuter rail safety in Southern California. These include:
• Second set of eyes in Metrolink locomotives
• Independent safety peer review panel
• Funding and installation of automatic train stop (ATS) technology
• Funding and installation of positive train control (PTC) technology
• Funding and installation of inward facing cameras and recording
equipment
• Organizational restructuring and new safety managers
METROLINK
Metrolink (also known as the Southern California Regional Rail Authority)
operates commuter rail service in five counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside,
San Bernardino, and Ventura. Metrolink is funded by the five counties’
transportation agencies, including Metro.
Mayor Villaraigosa is a member and currently chair of the Metro Board of
Directors. Metro appoints four members and four alternates to the 11-member
Metrolink Board of Directors.
A copy of the Metrolink Board agenda and Board report (Item 19) for inward
facing cameras can be found on-line at:
http://www.metrolinktrains.com/documents/Board_Agenda/051509_Board_Agen
da_Final2.pdf
###