2008 Massachusetts train collision

Background

Main article: Green Line (MBTA)

The Green Line is a light rail system run by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in the Boston, Massachusetts, metropolitan area. It is the oldest subway line in the United States. The Green Line splits into multiple branches; the D branch is a grade-separated, dual track line operating from a terminal station at Riverside to Kenmore station, where the D branch merges with the other Green Line branches and operates on shared tracks into downtown Boston. The D branch uses block signaling between Waban and Woodland stations; operating rules require that Green Line trains encountering a single red signal to hold for one minute, then proceed at no more than 10 mph past the red signal while being prepared to stop short of any train or other obstruction.

Accident

The 2008 Massachusetts train collision occurred on the westbound track between Waban and Woodland stations. Trains 3667 and 3681 were both Green Line trains operating in the westbound direction on the D branch at the time of the accident. At approximately 5:50PM, Train 3681 departed Waban station, and passed signal H-64. Signal H-64 changed to display a single red aspect, to indicate that Train 3681 was directly ahead of it. Train 3681 then encountered a single red signal at H-66, and came to a stop. Per operating rules, Train 3681 held at signal H-66 for one minute, then began to operate past H-66 at a restricted speed, reaching a speed of 3.4 mph at the time of the accident.

Train 3667 departed Waban station westbound behind Train 3681. Although the red signal at H-64 required Train 3667 to stop and hold for one minute, an MBTA employee on the rear of Train 3667 told the NTSB that the train never slowed down after departing Waban, and instead accelerated to the maximum authorized speed of 40 mph. Traveling at a speed of 38 mph, Train 3667 crashed into the rear of Train 3681. The front of the lead car of Train 3667 suffered extensive damage, crushing the operating cab. The operator of Train 3667, Terrese Edmonds, suffered blunt force trauma during the collision and was killed; eight passengers were injured.

Investigation

Initially, operator error was blamed for the crash. As the investigation began, the crash was suspected to be caused by distraction of Edmonds, who allegedly was using a cell phone while operating the train. However, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) ruled out distraction after it obtained Edmonds' cell phone records and determined that her cell phone was not in use at the time of the crash. Investigators also found that the brakes had not been applied, and the tracks were not faulty.

The NTSB determined that an episode of micro-sleep caused by sleep apnea was likely the reason for the operator losing awareness of her environment.

Aftermath

In 2009, the NTSB released its final report on the crash. The NTSB noted, "The following were neither causal nor contributory to the accident: weather conditions, equipment performance, track condition, crewmember use of alcohol or illegal drugs, crewmember use of cell phones, crew training and qualifications, or the performance of the crew of the struck train."

About a year later, a different crash on the Green Line was blamed on an operator texting while driving.

Notes

References

References

1. (July 14, 2009). "Collision Between Two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Green Line Trains, Newton, Massachusetts, May 28, 2008". [[National Transportation Safety Board]].
2. (May 29, 2008). "Trolley operator dies after collision in Newton". The Boston Globe.
3. (June 4, 2008). "Cell phone suspected in trolley crash". [[The Berkshire Eagle]].
4. (May 28, 2008). "Several hurt as 2 T trains collide in Newton". Boston Herald.
5. (May 29, 2008). "Driver Trapped in US Train Crash". [[Daily Express]].
6. (May 30, 2008). "Officials swarm T crash scene". [[The Boston Globe]].
7. (May 31, 2008). "Brakes not utilized in train crash, NTSB says". [[The Boston Globe]].
8. (July 13, 2009). "Final analysis of '08 Green Line crash due Tuesday".