Chris Day addresses the safety problem

  

On Friday October 4th, 2013 there was three (3) east bound lanes off the Hawthorne bridge just before crossing Grand avenue. On Sunday October 6th, 2013 I drove across the Hawthorne bridge in my personal vehicle and discovered that there is now only two (2) east bound lanes just before Grand. The most southern lane has been changed from an auto lane to a bike/pedestrian lane.

            After Grand avenue there is three (3) lanes for traffic. This means the most southern lane west of Grand becomes the center lane East of Grand. This presents a problem for bus lines 4, 10 and 14 because there is a stop at Hawthorne and 6th (1 block from Grand). To service this stop busses are now needing to go in to an auto lane and then cross a bike lane so they can pull in to the service area for the stop. This is all needing to be done in less then 200 feet. Because this stop handles multiple lines this distance is less if there is already one bus at the stop when another arrives.

            This change in traffic lanes has created many safety and legal issues with the stop at Hawthorne and 6th. For each lane of traffic there is suppose to be at least 100 feet before changing lanes. From Grand to 6th there is now way that five (5) busses would be able to fight. If each bus is about 40 feet and five bus are not able to fit then it is a clear indication that there is not at least 200 feet to clear two (2) lanes to service a stop at 6th. The new angle that the bus would have to take to get in to the service area is putting the bike lane more into a blind spot then ever before. This has also created an open lane for cars making a right off of Grand on to Hawthorne and is another thing operators need to watch for.

            I feel because of the big change and all the issues it brings up that this is something that must be addressed right away rather then having to go through the slow documentation process that TriMet requires. On Monday October 7th, 2013 at 4:05pm I came in early on my own time to talk with Mark Poulson (Center Street Ass. Mgr) about this. He advised me that I needed to either fill out a "Yellow Card" or go online to TriNet and file a RSA (Request for Safety Assessment) form. He advised me to be as detailed as possible and to address all my concerns in this form. At 4:15pm I advised Sandra Guengerich (Center Street ATU Executive Board Officer) about this safety issue and she also advised me to do the same thing. As I was driving line/train 410 and I came to this location I radioed dispatch at 5:12pm and advised them of the safety issue. They advised me to fill out a "Yellow Card" as well.

            On Tuesday October 8th, 2013 at 4:05pm I came in to work early so that I can fill out a "Yellow Card" about this issue. At 4:20pm I finished the card and submitted it with a time slip for the time I spent filling it out to Andrew (the station agent). Andrew took the "Yellow Card" and said he will send that in for me but was not able to except the time slip and that I would need a manager to approve that. I took the time slip to Mark Poulson who said "nice try" we only pay for incident reports and refused to sign my time slip for the time spent filling out the "Yellow Card".

            As of current nothing has been addressed about this issue at Hawthorne and 6th. Busses are servicing the stop as if it is just another day. There is no evidence that this has been evaluated by a Road Supervisor or any other TriMet official. I am concerned that each day this is not addressed is another day that some harm might come.

            What happen to "A Culture of Safety" Safety is the focus for all of TriMet's operational, planning and strategic decisions. Rather than thinking of it as a single priority - even as the highest priority - we are renewing our efforts to create a culture of safety.

            Here I am a "front line" employee pointing out something that has changed that has become a safety issue and management is telling me what I need to do so that I can get their attention to fix it rather then getting the ball going on their own and oh by the way we don't pay you for the steps that you take. There is no wonder why operators are not wanting to step up to the plate.

            This has me so concerned that I want to make sure it is addressed right away before anything does have a chance to happen.

 

My first concern is the safety so I want to know if TriMet feels that the stop located at South East Hawthorne and 6th Avenue is still a safe stop to process?

My next question is - if it is legal to make these lane changes to service this stop?

My last question is - can management instruct me to do something then not pay me for it?

            I told Al M. about my concerns and he investigated it. Here is the link http://rantingsofatrimetbusdriver.blogspot.com/2013/10/trimet-ignores-drivers-safety-report.html so you can see for yourself.