Safety Initiatives and Innovations Mike York Greater Cleveland

Safety Initiatives and Innovations Mike York Greater 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 Bus Collisions with Pedestrians and Cyclists Turning Left, 2005, 5 Year Turning Right 2005 5 2006 0 2007 5 2008 0 2009 3 2010 0 Turning Left, 13 2009, 3 Total Turning Left, 2007, 4 Turning Left, Turning Right, 2006, 6 Turning Right, 2008, 6 2005, 5 2007, 5 Turning Right Turning Left Turning Right, 2009, 3 Turning Left 5 6 4 6 3 0 24

Safety Initiatives Time Line Ride Checks performed by Operations, Safety, and Training 2006 First Training video prepared regarding Left-Hand Turns 2007 • Bus Visors redesigned • Exterior left mirror rotated 180 degrees • Audible Beeping Device Installed • Prohibition of Cell Phone/Electronic Device 2008 2009 2010 • Data Analysis/Action Verification • Automated Pedestrian Alert System (A. P. A. S. ) installed • Corrective Actions Task Force • “Inattentional Blindness” training video • “Watch For Peds” decals • Left Turn Blitz • “Second Glance, Second Chance” posters • Turning Radar Checks

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 standdown – 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. )

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