After a handful of train derailments over the last several months, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced Friday that a new Blue Ribbon Panel will review the circumstances behind each of the accidents.
The panel, made up of six transportation and engineering experts, will examine the causes behind the derailments, review the MTA’s maintenance and inspection programs and investigate ways to promote a culture of safety.
Within the last year, derailments have occurred along the lines of the New York City Transit, the Long Island Railroad and Metro-North. For each incident, track defects were found to be at least a contributing factor. To prevent future derailments, the panel plans to review potential system-wide track improvements and infrastructure programs.
Officials at the National Transportation Safety Board are still reviewing potential causes behind the May Metro-North train derailment in Fairfield, which injured more than 70 passengers. A loose rail joint is thought to be the cause of the derailment.