Safety Initiatives and Innovations

1. Safety Initiatives and Innovations Mike York Greater Cleveland RTA DGM of Operations

2. 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)

3. Pedestrian Accidents

4. Safety Initiatives Time Line • Bus Visors redesigned • Exterior left mirror rotated 180 degrees • Audible Beeping Device Installed • Prohibition of Cell Phone/Electronic Device Ride Checks performed by Operations, Safety, and Training • Data Analysis/Action Verification • Automated Pedestrian Alert • System (A.P.A.S.) installed 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

5. 2006 - 2007 • Training: • Training video was created to demonstrate proper left-hand turns • Operator effectiveness was monitored by operations, training, and safety departments

6. Left-Hand Turn Training Video

7. 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

8. 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

9. 2008 (cont.)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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)

13. 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

14. 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

15. Left-Hand Turn Accident Video

16. 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

17. 2009 (cont.)

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. Questions/Comments Questions/Comments? Thank you