By Daniel Katzive
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed that radio communication problems were the primary cause of the early January subway crash and derailment that occurred just north of West 96th Street and left about 25 people with minor injuries.
The NTSB released its preliminary report on Thursday of the events leading up to the January 4 Upper West Side incident.
An uptown 1 train was taken out of service at 79th Street after an “unruly passenger” pulled the emergency brakes on five cars and crews were unable to reset them, according to the report.
The train headed for a subway yard at restricted speed, with the front five cars disabled and running without brakes or power. A “flagger,” who served as a lookout since the train was being controlled from the sixth car, was in the front cab to radio back information on signals and track conditions to the driver in the sixth car.
However, for some undetermined reason, the flagger lost radio contact with the driver and was unable to tell them that there was a red signal ahead.
“The flagger said he lost radio communications with the transit system supervisor near [the] 96th Street station. The transit system supervisor did not receive the flagger’s instruction to stop, the train passed by a signal requiring a stop at the end of the 96th Street Station platform, and the collision occurred,” the report states.
Typically, when subway trains move through red signals, a mechanism on the track automatically trips the brakes, preventing a collision. The NTSB report stated that, because the brakes on the front cars had been disabled, this safety mechanism was not operational.
The train moved through the red signal and collided with an uptown train switching from the express to local track, carrying about 200 passengers.
New York City Transit (NYCT) President Richard Davey told the Daily News that the findings were “beyond dispute — something that we certainly generally agree with.”
“About 22 passengers and three crew members suffered minor injuries” in the crash, also in line with initial reports, according to the NTSB.
The board still has more work to do to determine the underlying causes of the accident. The preliminary report says future investigations will focus on the NYCT’s operating procedures when moving “bad order” cars; radio communication procedures; mechanical procedures when placing a train in “bad-order” status; and the lack of federal requirements for railcar event recorders.
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Good they figured it out. I’ve heard the conductor talk to the train operator over the intercom, maybe they could use that.
It’s possible the intercom was not available since the lead car was completely powered down.
It’s a mess, total abomination. It’s ridiculous in this day and age to rely on a couple of dudes fiddling with RADIO to prevent two passenger trains on the same tracks from crashing.
And of course, let’s not even mention the “unruly” passenger- and the ridiculous notion of making critical transport infrastructure a de-facto home for people who shouldn’t ever be anywhere near it. The security of this system is like a locked door in a cornfield.
In 1985 under then mayor Koch NYPD routinely removed homeless and others for “loitering” in GCT, Penn Station and other transit.
https://www.nytimes.com/1985/02/14/nyregion/grand-central-bars-loitering-by-homeless-during-day.html
As wont to happen in this state supporters of homeless brought legal action on their behalf. Result was decision by NYS ‘s court was basically LE cannot arrest, remove or whatever homeless (or anyone else) from transit systems merely for “loitering”
https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/18/nyregion/new-york-court-strikes-down-law-to-curb-loitering.html
Absent breaking a known law or rule things below ground are same as above for homeless and or mentally ill; pretty much they cannot be touched.
Thank goodness no one was badly hurt and that this ended with a mess, a disruption, and an inconvenience to many but … at least, no loss of life. This could have been so much worse if it happened in between stations, at high speed, or some such. As for the ‘unruly’ who pull the breaks and disable trains – shame on them.
” lack of federal requirements for railcar event recorders” — umm.
You mean New York City won’t do the right thing – have event recorders without the fed having to say so? Come on. Surely the MTA can do the right, responsible thing. Cut a little fat and get on board MTA! I know you’re an inter-state entity,
so you can always blame someone else. Another disaster of ex Govenor Coumo micromanaging the city and every agency that impinges on us to make sure nothing gets done. He also fired the MTA guy who would have probably figured this out and raised the need for recorders. “Locked door in a cornfield” says it all!
” lack of federal requirements for railcar event recorders” may not be wholly accurate way of putting things.
Federal Railroad Administration does require event recorders for lead locomotives and trains under certain conditions. There are however various exemptions and transit operating on their own designated tracks is one.
That being said MTA states that 60% of their subway trains do have data recorders. These new trains have all sorts of modern safety features. As MTA orders and puts into service more new trains older ones lacking such devices will be replaced.
https://ny1.com/nyc/manhattan/traffic_and_transit/2024/01/10/train-derailments-spotlight-importance-of-new-subway-technology
Next time one takes subway while waiting for train look down at tracks. You’ll see a lever on tracks with handle painted bright yellow. That is part of automatic braking system designed to stop trains that pass red signal.
https://www.quora.com/In-the-New-York-City-subways-there-is-a-yellow-lever-next-to-most-tracks-at-a-station-What-is-it-used-for
In this instance system could not operate as designed because first five or so cars of subway train had no power. This also included (IIRC) braking system was already tripped. Once air brake system has been tripped it must be reset. If that does not happen car, locomotive or train won’t have brakes.
Primer on understanding rail air brakes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_air_brake