Metro Train With Riders Moves On Wrong Track At Franconia Station: Report

SPRINGFIELD, VA — An investigation from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission found a train operator's lack of territory familiarity and "inadequate supervisory oversight" likely contributed to a train with passengers moving in the wrong direction at the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station on Aug. 16.

The report was presented during the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission on Tuesday. According to the report, a train operator who typically works the Shady Grove Division on the Red Line was working an extra shift in the Alexandria Division on Aug. 16. Riders had been aboard the train for about 10 minutes on the tail track at the station around 6 a.m. before the train returned to the platform.

The train had arrived to Franconia-Springfield on track 2 from the Alexandria Rail Yard around 5:44 a.m., then allowing riders to board. The train operator waited approximately 14 minutes for the scheduled departure time. Around 5:59 a.m., the train operator notified the terminal supervisor about holding the train on track 2, but the supervisor did not initially respond.

Investigations found the supervisor may have been away from the work location. Non-work-related audio was found on recordings at the supervisor's station. The supervisor stated that the door would often be propped open to the break room where there was a TV. But television shows that were playing likely came from the supervisor's work computer. A review of browsing history and audio recordings found the supervisor regularly used video streaming services from the computer.

After the train operator repeated the message, the supervisor gave an instruction about a signal for a crossover move from track 2 to track 1, and the train operator acknowledged the message.

But the supervisor did not recognize the train operator was at the incorrect side of the train. Another signal was flashing to proceed to a crossover move into the tail track. So instead of reversing ends to prepare for a northbound trip toward Largo Town Center, the train operator moved into the tail track. The operator, who usually works in the Shady Grove division, would have used that procedure on the Red Line at Shady Grove Station.

When the supervisor asked the operator why the train moved into the tail track, the operator stopped the train after it moved 266 feet, or 23 seconds later. The supervisor told the operator to continue moving the train into the tail track due to another train coming into the station. A train that was at the track 1 platform was sent into service to allow the train on the tail track to move onto track 1. About 10 minutes after entering the tail track with riders on board, the train reversed ends and returned to the station platform.

The investigation found Metro had removed the train operator for drug and alcohol testing but not the terminal supervisor as required by Metro policy. No violations were found with the train operator, but the employee was disciplined.

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission's report had several findings about the incident.

"The probable cause of this event was Metrorail’s lack of physical characteristics training and territory familiarization requirements, Metrorail’s inadequate supervisory oversight of and training on terminal operations, and insufficient supervisory oversight to ensure compliance with radio communications protocols," the report stated. "Contributing to this event was the environment in terminal supervisor work areas that includes noise and distractions."

As corrective measures, the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission recommends installing CCTV cameras at all terminal locations and yard towers and ensuring all phone communications are recorded in terminal locations and yard towers. Metro had also distributed learned document focused on communication and lead familiarization and is conducting a safety stand down with a focus on communication and roadway operation procedures.

See the full report here.

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