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Warnings ignored

BY JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER | Newsday Staff Writer
January 19, 2007

The MTA inspector general released a report in 1987 titled, "An Investigation of Gaps Between Platforms and Trains At Metro-North Stations."

The report was done after an investigation into the subway system's track renewal work on the Brighton line, which "found potential safety hazards to passengers ... due to gaps between the cars and station platforms."

LIRR officials say they have no record of being notified of the report or its recommendations that include:

More needs to be done than alerting passengers to watch the gap.

No federal or state laws or guidelines could be found to determine what gap distance is considered unsafe.

Identify gaps that pose a potential danger and promptly repair them or provide safeguard at those stations.

Investigate all reported gap-related accidents or gap complaints and take action.

Assure that all major programs to construct or repair stations and tracks take into consideration possible hazards that could be caused by gaps.

Provide sufficient resources to the safety department so it can monitor the identification of hazardous gaps and verify that repairs are made promptly or safeguards provided.

"If a Metro-North passenger claims an injury was suffered because of a gap, this information is not communicated by the Claims Department to other departments. Thus, neither S&F [Structures & Facilities] or Safety may be aware that it should inspect the site and take appropriate steps to minimize or eliminate the hazard. Metro-North's failure to take such steps could subject it to liability in the event of another accident at the same site."

Related topic galleries: Long Island Rail Road, Brighton Park

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