S2im32\Gfetsko$\PM70FI~1\ANNUAL
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Public Transportation Safety Board 2003 ANNUAL REPORT State of New York Department of Transportation George E. Pataki, Governor Joseph H. Boardman, Commissioner and PTSB Chairman ANNUAL REPORT 2003 ANNUAL REPORT 2003 Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ v List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... vii Carmen F. Arcuri Memorial Resolution 1718 for Distinguished Service ........................................ viii Safety Board Members ............................................................................................................... ix Letter from the Chairman............................................................................................................ xi The Board’s Year in Review ........................................................................................................ 1 Public Transportation Safety Board ............................................................................................. 1 Highlights of 2003 ..................................................................................................................... 2 Significant Accident Cases Presented to the Board in 2003 ........................................................... 6 Annual Accident Report ............................................................................................................. 13 Bus Accident Analysis ................................................................................................................ 14 Rail Accident Analysis ............................................................................................................... 17 Probable Causes of Bus and Rail Accidents ................................................................................. 20 Accident Rate Analysis ............................................................................................................... 24 Bus & Rail Systems Under PTSB Jurisdiction .............................................................................. 28 Definitions ................................................................................................................................. 29 Safety Board Staff ...................................................................................................................... 33 PTSB Award Recipients .............................................................................................................. 36 iii ANNUAL REPORT 2003 ANNUAL REPORT 2003 List of Tables Table 1: 2003 Bus Accidents by Reporting Criteria .............................................................. 14 Table 2: Bus Accident Rates by Type ................................................................................... 16 Table 3: 2003 Rail Accidents by Reporting Criteria .............................................................. 17 Table 4: Rail Accident Rates by Type .................................................................................. 19 Table 5: Rail Accidents by System ...................................................................................... 19 Table 6: Bus Probable Accident Causes by Type .................................................................. 20 Table 7: Bus Driver Probable Accident Causes by Component .............................................. 21 Table 8: Bus Equipment/Maintenance Probable Accident Causes by Component .................... 21 Table 9: Rail Probable Accident Causes by Type .................................................................. 22 Table 10: Rail Car Equipment Probable Accident Causes by Component ................................. 22 Table 11: Rail Crew Probable Accident Causes by Component ............................................... 23 Table 12: Rail Operations Probable Accident Causes by Component ....................................... 23 Table 13: Rail Track and Signal Probable Accident Causes by Component .............................. 23 Table 14: Bus Accident Rates Grouped by Operator Size ........................................................ 25 Table 15: Rail Accident Rates ............................................................................................... 26 Table 16: Rail Accident Rates ............................................................................................... 26 Table 17: Rail Accident Rates Excluding Grade Crossing Accidents ........................................ 27 v ANNUAL REPORT 2003 ANNUAL REPORT 2003 List of Figures Figure 1: 2003 Bus Accidents Investigated .............................................................................15 Figure 2: Bus Accident Fatalities ...........................................................................................15 Figure 3: Bus Injuries ...........................................................................................................15 Figure 4: 2003 Rail Accidents Investigated............................................................................18 Figure 5: Rail Accident Fatalities ..........................................................................................18 Figure 6: Rail Injuries ...........................................................................................................18 Figure 7: PTSB Accident Trends ...........................................................................................24 vii ANNUAL REPORT 2003 SAFETY BOARD MEMBERS Joseph H. Boardman Commissioner and PTSB Chairman Carmen F. Arcuri Walter G. Rich Thomas H. Clements Appointed 1994 Appointed 1994 Appointed 1999 Deborah A. Green John S. Delaney Matthew D. Sansverie Appointed 2002 Appointed 2002 MTA Inspector General Ex-officio Member x ANNUAL REPORT 2003 In Memoriam Carmen F. Arcuri 1927 - 2004 PTSB Board Member 1994 - 2004 Mr. Arcuri’s dedication, judgement, and generous sharing of his extensive experiences from over 50 years in public ser- vice, including more than 20 years in public transportation, greatly enriched the Board’s efforts to improve public trans- portation safety for the State of New York. ix ANNUAL REPORT 2003 ANNUAL REPORT 2003 STATE OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ALBANY, N.Y. 12232 http://www.dot.state.ny.us Joseph H. Boardman George E. Pataki Commissioner Governor The Honorable George E. Pataki, Governor Members of the Legislature And Citizens of New York Since 1984 the Public Transportation Safety Board (PTSB) has provided safety oversight for the nearly two and a half billion riders who annually use New York State’s bus and rail public transportation systems. This Annual Report describes the roles and activities of the PTSB and provides an analysis of bus and rail public transportation accidents. The PTSB’s acitvities in 2003 included investigating 95 bus and rail accidents, conducting bus and rail property safety site reviews, providing accident investigation training to the bus industry, participating in rail safety emergency preparedness exercises, and supporting local safety programs across the state. In accordance with Section 217 of the Transportation Law, I am pleased to submit the 2003 PTSB Annual Report. Sincerely, Joseph H. Boardman PTSB Chairman xi ANNUAL REPORT 2003 ANNUAL REPORT 2003 The Board’s Year In Review Public Transportation Safety Board The Public Transportation systems are in compliance and Freight Transportation, serves Safety Board (PTSB) has broad, with their approved system as the PTSB’s Executive Director legislatively mandated powers and safety program plans; and represents Chairman duties that enable it to effectively Boardman and serves as Acting q Analyzing critical safety improve public transportation issues and concerns; and, Safety Board Chairman. safety for those transportation The Safety Board meets in systems which receive funds under q Recommending establishment public session, on the third the State Transit Operating Assis- of new safety legislation, Wednesday of every other month. tance Program (STOA). rules and regulations, and transportation system proce- During 2003, the Board formally The PTSB is statutorily dures, based on findings from met six times. responsible for investigating and accident investigations, analyzing serious bus, subway and special studies and compre- Staff commuter rail accidents, and hensive audits. recommending actions to be taken The Executive Director, Membership on the Safety to reduce the possibility of similar John F. Guinan, has the respon- Board is determined by Section accidents from occurring. The sibility for directing staff activities 216 of the Transportation Law. The Board’s powers and duties include: including: conducting accident Board may consist of seven investigations; reviewing system q Establishing accident report- members and a Chairman. Mem- safety program plans; preparing ing, investigation and analysis bers of the Board in 2003 commuter procedures; were: Joseph H. Boardman, rail, subway Commissioner New York State q Conducting comprehensive and bus Department of Transportation accident investigations accident (NYSDOT) and Chairman of the involving public transporta- reports; Safety Board; Carmen F. Arcuri, tion systems, whether publicly monitoring former General Manager, Utica or privately owned; transportation Transit Authority; Thomas H. operators’ q Taking a proactive role in Clements, former member CDTA compliance public safety,