Transit Rail Safety Added to NTSB Most Wanted List
Helicopter operations also are included, as is passenger vessel safety.
The National Transportation Safety Board released its 2014 Most Wanted List on Jan. 16, listing the 10 advocacy and awareness priorities for the agency for this year. Improving operational safety in rail mass transit is on it for the first time following accidents involving MTA Metro-North Railroad, Chicago Transit Authority, and the Bay Area Rapid Transit.
"The traveling public relies on a safe and efficient transportation system. Yet, every year, we see over 35,000 fatalities," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "That's why we have the Most Wanted List: steps we can take today so that more people make it home tonight."
The list includes helicopter operations, and NTSB's news release noted between January 2003 and May 2013, 1,470 helicopter accidents occurred with 477 fatalities and 274 serious injuries.
Occupant protection and passenger vessel safety are new to the list this year. Distraction in all transportation modes, fire safety, identifying and communicating hazardous weather information in general aviation, and pipeline safety also are included.