FTA Safety Advisory: Overhead Catenary System and Pantograph Reliability

FTA published a safety advisory (26-1) to address emerging safety risks associated with overhead catenary system (OCS) and pantograph reliability across rail transit systems.

FTA recommends that state safety oversight agencies direct rail transit agencies to identify hazards related to OCS and pantograph failures, conduct safety risk assessments, develop mitigations as necessary, and monitor the implemented mitigations.

Recommended actions include:

• Reviewing and analyzing safety performance data related to OCS and pantograph events to identify related hazards.
• Conducting a safety risk assessment using agency safety plans’ safety risk management process.
• Identifying new mitigations or modifying existing ones as necessary to reduce the associated safety risk.
• Monitoring the implemented mitigations as part of the safety assurance process, including monitoring mitigation effectiveness.

FTA can provide additional data analysis and resources, and plans to host a webinar to provide an overview of the safety advisory.