Safety Initiatives and Innovations

Mike YorkGreater Cleveland RTA

DGM of Operations

RTA Overview

• Services Modes– 500 Buses– 102 Paratransit Vans– 20 Job Access Vans– 60 Heavy Rail Vehicles– 48 Light Rail Vehicles– 24 RTV’s – (BRT Vehicles)

Pedestrian Accidents

Year Turning Right Turning Left2005 5 52006 0 62007 5 42008 0 62009 3 32010 0 0Total 13 24

First Training video prepared regarding Left-Hand Turns

• Corrective Actions Task Force• “Inattentional Blindness” training video• “Watch For Peds” decals• Left Turn Blitz• “Second Glance, Second Chance” posters• Turning Radar Checks

• Bus Visors redesigned• Exterior left mirror rotated 180 degrees• Audible Beeping Device Installed• Prohibition of Cell Phone/Electronic Device

• Data Analysis/Action Verification• Automated Pedestrian Alert System (A.P.A.S.) installed

Safety Initiatives Time Line

Ride Checks performed by Operations, Safety, and Training

2006 - 2007

• Training:– Training video was created to

demonstrate proper left-hand turns– Operator effectiveness was monitored

by operations, training, and safety departments

Left-Hand Turn Training Video

2008

• Training: May– Introduction of new Left-Hand Turn

training module•All operators trained•Focused on operator “Inattentional

Blindness”•Stressed importance of waiting 2

seconds before making left-hand turn to view pedestrians

2008 (cont.)

• Awareness: September– “Watch for Peds” decal installed on

every vehicle within visual range of the operator

– “Second Glance, Second Chance” posters displayed at all districts

– Cost of hitting pedestrian posters were displayed

2008 (cont.)

2008 (cont.)

• Awareness: October– Left-Hand Turn Blitz

•All operators received handouts, new instructions

•Left-Hand Turn information placed on operators’ paddles

•Performed informal coaching sessions

2008 (cont.)

• Enforcement: October– Radar checks conducted at various intersections– Left-Hand turn observations conducted

• Determined if an operator observed a person in the crosswalk

2009

• Visor & Mirror Modification: January– Visors were retrofitted to provide

enhanced visibility on NABI buses– Exterior left mirrors were rotated 180

degrees to improve the operator’s line of sight (agreed upon by Management and the Union)

2009 (cont.)

• Warning Devices: January– Turn Signals retrofitted with audible

beeping to alert pedestrians– Strobe lights were installed above the

left and right turn on the NABI and NOVA buses

2009 (cont.)

• Safety Culture: March– RTA Management – Safety stand-

down– Blowing of horn (before turn) was

added to turning procedure•Safety Turning Procedures was

distributed and mailed to operators– Management and Union distributed

Passenger Safety Tips

Left-Hand Turn Accident Video

2009 (cont.)

• Safety Culture (cont):– Reflective tape installed on rear of

the vehicles to warn motorists– Left-Hand turn observations

continued– Strict prohibition of cell phone and

electronic device use– All operators were retrained

2009 (cont.)

2010

• Data Analysis/Corrective Actions:– Continuous Actions:

•Bus Observation and Ride checks•Left-hand turn refresher•Three month reminders•Videos played in garage lounges,

placed on RTA Intranet•Safety bulletins in Payroll stuffers

and on Paddle

2010 (cont.)

• Automated Pedestrian Alert System– Voice-activated alert device installed

on all buses (federal stimulus funds used)

– Cautions both the Operator and the Pedestrian

Automated Pedestrian Alert System (A.P.A.S.)

Questions/Comments

Questions/Comments?

Thank you