In an effort to increase safety, Metro-North will start using a positive train control system, which will force trains to go at a set speed. The passenger railroad is in the process of obtaining more technology to help ensure safety, Metro-North president Joseph Giulietti explained at a committee meeting Monday.
Giuletti said Metro-North will continue to invest in state-of-the-art, proven technology going forward to fill the gap of human error.
For instance, the Harlem Line is the railroad’s most reliable line because of electric rather than diesel car usage.
Metro-North is also reducing its goals for on-time performance in addition to lengthening train trips, which will be reflected in the new schedules May.
Giuletti said this was to send a clear message the railroad is moving away from a culture of valuing timeliness over safety, as federal reports have pointed out.
If the railroad was well managed, Giuletti said, balancing timeliness and safety would not be a problem, but that is currently not yet the case.
Long Island Railroad, which had a commendable safety rating according to federal reports, is also doing speed compliance testing as a part of a safety effort after Metro-North’s December derailment last year.
Metro-North officials will hold six customer outreach meetings at Grand Central March 26 to gather feedback for the 100-Day Action Plan towards establishing safer service. The meeting will be from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. at the main concourse.
Additional sessions:
April 3, White Plains Station entrance lobby from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- April 10, Stamford Station across from the Ticket Office from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- May 1, Grand Central Terminal, Main Concourse from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. - May 6, Croton-Harmon Station, near the ticket office, north overpass from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- May 14, Harrison Station on the eastbound platform from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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