NORFOLK The Tide, Norfolk's light rail, will not have automatic train control when it starts operations later this year and HRTannounced 10 changes for safety.
Following a 13News Investigation, Hampton Roads Transit reviewed whether the system would be safe with just the Automatic Block Signaling system.
Automatic block signaling warns operators of trains in the way with red lights like a traffic signal.
Automatic train control systems use computers to prevent train-to-train collisions shoud a driver fail to obey rail signals.
'I've spent the last three or four days virtually working on nothing else than this,' said HRT President and CEOPhilip Shucet, 'and I have no doubt that what we're doing is safe. '
The National Transportation Safety Board recommends automatic train control systems on all rail systems nationwide. Most light rail systems across the country have it, but the Tide will be in the minority of systems without it.
Shucet added, 'It's not so much what others have but what works for The Tide, the project we're installing. It's not Automatic Train Control versus automatic braking system. It's about ABS safety and can it meet safety certifications. '
Automatic train control was part of the original package, but it was not part of the approved package. In 2008, it was determined ABS was sufficient, Shucet noted.
'The Tide won't run until we're certified and our chief safety officer looks me in the eye and says it's safe,' he stressed.
While The Tide doesn't have automatic train control now, it could be added later - as the line expands, allowing the vehicles to travel at faster speeds for longer stretches. Shucet said that will be a question to answer at that time.
HRT also announced 10 safety improvements to the operation of The Tide, including screening all train operators for sleep apnea and clarifying that any audio or video devices carried into the cab must be be powered off. Previously, the wording stated the devices had to be secured.
'I think this puts us on the leading edge of workforce qualification,' said Shucet.
The Tide will begin operating later this year, but a specific date hasn't been set.
'The bottom line, the ABS system is safe, The Tide will be safe,' he stated.
