Category Archives: Safety

Law enforcement officials encourage transit riders to be vigilant

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L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca speaks at a news conference this morning. Photo by Luiz Inzunza/Metro.

In the aftermath of Osama Bin Laden’s death, and as a precaution against possible terrorist threats, law enforcement officials today encouraged transit riders, “if you see something, say something.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, flanked local elected officials and law enforcement partners, said that while there are no specific threats against high-profile targets in Los Angeles, the public are the “eyes and ears” to remain vigilant and are encouraged to call (877) A-THREAT or visit iWatchLA.org to report suspicious activity.

“Transit systems throughout the world have been attacked by extremists who are extraordinarily determined to disrupt the lives of people,” Baca said.

Continue reading →

Yes, there is more security on Metro today

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As you may have noticed this morning, there are more security patrolling the Metro system this morning in response to the death of Osama bin Laden on Sunday. From the L.A. Times:

Metro spokesman Marc Littman said security has been increased at L.A.’s public transit hubs with measures such as bomb-sniffing dogs at many stations, as well as more plainclothes officers and foot patrols.

Littman said there was also increased security on subway lines and in other public transit areas.

Metro is encouraging the public to be vigilant. If you see something, say something. Let Sheriff’s deputies or Metro personnel know of suspicious activity or press the intercom in the train cars or in the Metro Rail stations to alert officials. The sheriff’s hotline for Metro is: 888.950.SAFE (7233).

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck held a news conference this morning to talk about increased security around the area. We’ll have coverage later.

Pedestrian death involving Blue Line

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A 40-year-old woman died after being struck by a southbound Blue Line train at 103rd Street in Watts about 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.

The accident is being investigated. The light rail line resumed normal operations about 7 a.m.

Metro urges all pedestrians and motorists to follow safety rules and laws around the Blue Line. Here is the link to part one of our four part series on Blue Line safety that we published on The Source last year.

Police crackdown on safety violations near Blue Line in Long Beach

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Photo by Gary Leonard.

Eighteen motorcycle officers from the Long Beach Police Department and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department spent their morning hours in a special sweep of the area around Blue Line tracks in Long Beach, issuing citations to motorists and pedestrians ignoring safety laws.

Police issued 106 citations in just over three hours.

The crackdown focused on illegal left turn violators, jaywalkers and distracted motorists using handheld cell phones or texting. The operation was part of an ongoing effort to educate drivers and pedestrians about safety around Metro Blue Line trains. One way to drive home that message is issuing citations to flagrant violators who do not pay attention to rail warning signs, signals, flashing lights, crossing arms, bells and train horns. Fines averaged $450.

Metro’s emphasis on educating the public, making engineering improvements and enforcing the law has sharply reduced overall accidents on the Blue Line, particularly collisions between trains and cars and trucks. However, pedestrians and motorists who aren’t paying attention to warning signals and signs or engaged in other risky behavior — such as jaywalking across the tracks — are an ongoing concern for Metro. The public shares responsibility for their safety.

Metro Board of Directors Chairman Don Knabe and Board Member Diane Dubois were also on hand for the crackdown along with Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell and Captain Daniel Cruz of the Sheriff’s Transit Service Bureau.

Metrolink debuts new rail cars as part of Whistlestop tour

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Metrolink Board Chairman Keith Millhouse showers the new safety-enhanced rail car with confetti as transit officials launch the first of Metrolink’s new Guardian fleet, which will eventually total 137 rail cars equipped with state-of-the-art safety technology. Also on board for the launch is, background from left, Metro’s CEO Art Leahy, Director Richard Katz, Republic of Korea Consul General Jae Soo Kim, Hyundai Rotem Co. President Minho Lee, MTA Chairman and L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe and Metrolink CEO John Fenton. Photo by Gary Leonard.

Metrolink publicly debuted its first Hyundai Rotem railcars at Union Station this morning. The cars are equipped with crash absorption technology. The agency has ordered 137 of the cars to be part of its “Guardian” fleet.

Among the cars’ safety features, according to Metrolink:

* Crush zones that absorb impact at each end of the car

* Enhanced bumpers to absorb, balance and dissipate force if an impact were to occur

* Couplers that absorb energy and help to keep cars in line and upright

* Work tables designed to dissipate the force of a collision

* Reconfigured seat placement in each car

* Comfortable seats with higher seat backs, provide more neck and back support

* Illuminated and marked pathways and exits

* An elevated train operator compartment

* Preinstalled inward and outward facing video cameras

* Sleek, stainless steel exterior

In addition, and as a response to the deadly Metrolink crash of Sept. 2008, the agency recently awarded a contract to implement a positive train control system that uses GPS technology to monitor of trains across the five-county Metrolink system and to keep them at safe distances from one another.

Metrolink is taking its new rail cars on a “whistle stop” tour this week. After the jump are the dates and times you can see them at cities around the region. Metro is one of the five county transit agencies in Southern California that helps fund the commuter rail agency. Continue reading →

Video: Metrolink Positive Train Control System

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In a post earlier today we told you about a $6.6 million federal grant to help fund Metrolink’s efforts to install Positive Train Control (PTC) along its commuter rail system.

But what is PTC exactly? This informative video from Metrolink features some nice computer animation that explains how system works.

In a nutshell: a network of computers and GPS technology connect trains, signals and central offices to ensure the safest possible operation of trains.


'See something, say something' campaign launches in L.A.

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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa leads news conference to launch national safety awareness campaign. Also participating (background, from left) are Sheriff Lee Baca, TSA Federal Security Director Randy Parsons, LAWA Airport Police Asst. Chief Ethel McGuire, LAPD Assistant Chief Michael Moore, and LASD Capt. Pat Jordan. Photo by Luis Inzunza.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa leads news conference to launch national safety awareness campaign. Also participating (background, from left) are Sheriff Lee Baca, TSA Federal Security Director Randy Parsons, LAWA Airport Police Asst. Chief Ethel McGuire, LAPD Assistant Chief Michael Moore, and LASD Capt. Pat Jordan. Photo by Luis Inzunza.

A press event is being held at Union Station this morning to promote the Transportation Security Administration’s new safety awareness program for the holiday travel season. Among the speakers will be Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Sheriff Lee Baca. Here is the TSA’s press release:

LOS ANGELES — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Los Angeles World Airports and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority today announced the expansion of the nationwide “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign at historic Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, to raise public awareness and strengthen security in America in anticipation of the busy holiday travel season.

While at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), passengers may call 310-646-7911 to report suspicious activity and aboard Metro, call 877-A-THREAT. Passengers with no cellular signal while riding Metro may also use the emergency intercom inside the rail vehicle; use the emergency intercom in the station; notify the operator,; notify Sheriff’s Department or any Metro employee on the train, bus or at the station.

The “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign—originally implemented by New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority and funded, in part, by $13 million from Department of Homeland Security’s Transit Security Grant Program—is a simple and effective program to engage the public and key frontline employees to identify and report indicators of terrorism, crime and other threats to the proper transportation and law enforcement authorities.

To improve local reporting of suspicious behaviors and activities, and not individuals, the campaign uses the Los Angeles Police Department’s iWATCH community reporting program. Information reported through iWATCH is kept confidential. It is carefully assessed and, if warranted, investigated by trained investigators. All information gathered and all investigative activity is subject to strict policies designed to protect people’s privacy and civil liberties. Continue reading →

Metro's new transit safety page

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And while on the subject of transit safety (see previous post), I wanted to point your attention to Metro’s transit safety page.

The page is new, nicely organized and there’s a small mountain of educational material targeted for children of all ages, as well as adults. Metro has already received requests for some of the materials from educators outside the region who have been perusing the web site — including a parent from Kansas whose local school is near railroad tracks.

The above video is one of many on Metro’s website. There are also a series of animations targeting kids. That’s a screen shot to the right showing one of them.

Also, as we’ve noted in the past, Metro offers free safety presentations to schools and other community groups. It’s a great resource and I hope you consider taking advantage of it whether rail is new to your neighborhood or has been there a while. More info is here.

Skirball Bridge demolition schedule has changed due to early completion of work on section over southbound lanes of I-405 freeway

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The schedule and associated closures for the Skirball Bridge demolition and reconstruction work activity has changed due to the contractor’s early completion of work on the section of the bridge that is located over the southbound I-405 freeway. The demolition work over this section of the Skirball Bridge has been completed earlier than planned.

For tonight, Wednesday, October 13, the contractor will now begin work to demolish the north side of the Skirball Bridge that is located over the northbound I-405 freeway, as the remaining schedule of work has been moved up by one day. The updated schedule and closures for this work activity for today are as follows:

•Full directional northbound freeway closure from 12 am to 5 am from Getty Center Drive to Ventura Blvd.

•The southbound HOV and #1 lane will be closed at 11 pm to 6 am

•Skirball Center Drive Bridge will be closed from 10 pm to 6 am

•Northbound Skirball on- and off-ramps will be closed from 7 pm to 6 am

•Southbound Skirball on- and off-ramps will be closed from 7 pm to 6 am

Work will take place between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. over the next three nights period. Actual bridge demolition is planned between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. Two nights of bridge abutment demolition are planned approximately one month later. While the bridge will be closed during night-time demolition, it will be opened again to thru traffic by 6 a.m. the next morning.

Access to surrounding local streets, the freeway and freeway ramps during demolition will be impacted.  To keep traffic moving, detours will be set up and traffic control officers will be stationed at critical locations to help direct traffic.  Detailed information on all closures, including recommended detours, will be made available in advance on metro.net/405.

During freeway closures, Sepulveda Boulevard will remain open and can be used as a primary detour route. Emergency vehicle access will be maintained at all times.

For additional project information and ongoing construction updates, visit www.metro.net/405 or call the project hotline at 213-922-3665.