Car, lightrail collide in 100th accident involving train
RAD SALLEE, Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
A sedan and a MetroRail train made local history of sorts at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday in the Texas Medical Center. Their meeting was the 100th collision by Metro's count since the 7.5-mile light rail line began test runs in November 2003.
The accident, in the 6600 block of Fannin, was the 23rd in the medical center segment of the route. Drivers there must navigate through traffic entering and leaving hospital parking garages, and be especially wary on turn lanes that share space with the rail tracks.
It was also the ninth accident at Fannin and Dryden. The driver of the car was ticketed for turning into the left-turn lane on Fannin in violation of a flashing red light that indicates the lane is unavailable.
Metropolitan Transit Authority spokesman Ken Connaughton said two train passengers walked to Ben Taub Hospital after complaining of injuries.
Not quite 2 years old, the light rail line racked up 36 collisions in its first five months of operation. Then increased safety measures — including four-way red lights in Midtown when the train approached — were adopted in June 2004 at the recommendation of consultants.
Metro hits the 100 mark in number of rail collisions
MetroRail's wreck-free stretch ends
This cut the accident rate per mile to about a fourth of its former level despite a doubling of service. "We continue enhancing the rail line to increase safety, and we are seeing a sharp decline in the accident rate," Connaughton said.
"While we may never entirely eliminate accidents, our aim is to get as close as possible and were working hard to achieve that goal," he said.
MetroRail critics, however, note that the collision rate per mile of track remains high compared to light rail systems elsewhere. The Web site www.actionamerica.org, maintained by Kingwood businessman John Gaver, includes an unofficial list of MetroRail collisions on which the latest accident would be No. 106. Gaver says the 100th happened July 19.
Gaver, who describes himself as "a reluctant government watchdog," said he counts "basically any accident that a reasonable person would consider an accident if his car were involved."
Connaughton said Metro logs only accidents that result in a police report. Metro has previously described these as usually involving injuries or property damage over $1,000.
In nearly all the accidents, motorists are ticketed for running red lights on streets that cross the tracks or making illegal turns in front of the train, which often was approaching them from behind. In downtown, red light running is the main cause; in the Texas Medical Center, illegal turns are the main cause.
Seven accidents have involved pedestrians, and one involved a man in a wheelchair. Only two were judged by Metro police to be the train operator's fault.
Studies show that rail transit accidents increase with the proportion of track that shares space with cars. Although Metro's tracks are usually separated from adjoining traffic lanes by raised concrete dividers, that can't be done at crossing streets, and most of these do not have gates.
To bring light rail service as close as possible to riders and the places they want to go, Metro officials say they intend to build future light rail extensions in much the same way.
rad.sallee@chron.com
RAD SALLEE