HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - SCRRA ACCIDENT SAFETY-BURBANK (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
SUBSEQUENT NEED
Item to be presented by:
DATE: January 14, 2003
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Laurene Weste
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY (SORRA):
JANUARY 6, 2003, ACCIDENT/SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS
DEPARTMENT: City Council
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Direct staff to prepare a letter to the Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board of
Directors:
a. Offering the City of Santa Clarita's assistance in the investigation of the January 6,
2003 accident; and
b. Offering to work with the SCRRA in the development of any warranted enhanced
safety standards for grade crossings located within the City.
Direct staff to obtain the final report upon the conclusion of all investigations on the
January 6, 2003 accident involving Metrolink Train Number 210.
BACKGROUND
On Monday, January 6, 2003, Metrolink Train Number 210 collided with a vehicle at a
crossing in the City of Burbank. The accident resulted in a number of injuries to riders on the
train and the death of the driver of the utility vehicle struck by the train.
The train originated at the Via Princessa Station in Santa Clarita and was scheduled to
terminate at Union Station in Los Angeles. The accident occurred in the City of Burbank at
the Buena Vista Street crossing of the railroad tracks.
The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SORRA) operates Metrolink. The SCRRA is
a joint powers authority for purposes of building, maintaining, and operating the Metrolink
commuter rail system. Metrolink presently serves the counties of Los Angeles, Orange,
Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura. The Metrolink Board of Directors is comprised of a
total of eleven representatives from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (LACMTA), Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Riverside County
Transportation Commission (ROTC), San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) and
the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC). Los Angeles Council Member Hal
Bernson is the current Chairman of the SCRRA Board of Directors.
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SCRRA: JANUARY 6, 2003 ACCIDENT
January 14, 2003 — Page 2
In the aftermath of any common carrier transportation related accident, federal, state, and
local officials seek to ensure that system or equipment improvements are made, which assist
in the avoidance of similar accidents in the future. While the National Transportation Safety
Board has already staged a simulation of the accident, the detailed investigation of the
accident will be conducted by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority and the City of
Burbank, under the leadership of their police department. Typical elements which are
reviewed include the mechanical systems of the train, the tracks, and signaling devices. Train
crew members are tested for drugs and alcohol. The Burbank Police Department will conduct
a traffic accident investigation to determine contributing factors to the accident. Finally, both
the train and railroad signaling devices are monitored by "black boxes" which will be analyzed.
Until the investigations are concluded, it is premature to move forward with any rail system
changes or intersection improvements. However, as the City of Santa Clarita does have a
number of at -grade railroad crossings, the final report of the accident may yield new safety
recommendations that may have applicability in Santa Clarita. As a general rule, the City of
Santa Clarita works closely with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority in the
design of road crossings and track access with a goal of maximum safety along the railroad
right-of-way.
Therefore, the City of Santa Clarita City Council may wish to send a letter to the Southern
California Regional Rail Authority Board of Directors offering any assistance which the City
may be able to provide relating to the investigation of the January 6 accident and to work with
the SCRRA in the development of any warranted enhanced safety standards for those grade
crossings located within the City of Santa Clarita. Furthermore, the Council may wish to
direct staff to report back to the City Council at the conclusion of the formal investigation
process with the findings and recommendations resulting from the January 6, 2003 accident.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council
FISCAL IMPACT
The recommended action can be conducted within the existing FY 02/03 budget
ATTACHMENTS
None
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