Metro News Release
For immediate release: December 22, 2008
Metro ready to meet winter weather head on
De-icing trains, snow-fighting equipment and personnel ready for inclement weather
As the region welcomes the first day of winter, Metro is prepared and ready to go. The transit agency will have up to 20 trains equipped with de-icing equipment, 2,200 tons of bulk rock salt to treat Metro roadways and parking lots, 18,000, 50-pound bags of de-icer for treating sidewalks and platforms and hundreds of snow-trained employees ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store for the winter.
“You can count on Metro to get you where you need to go as safely as possible, and you can also count on Mother Nature to hit our region with at least a couple of significant storms a season,” said Gerald Francis, Metro’s Deputy General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. “Our number concern is the safety of our riders when using Metro. While our employees are trained experts in dealing with hazardous conditions caused by snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice, we encourage our customers to do their part by exercising care and caution while using our services, and always checking our Web site for service updates.”
Here’s what Metro plans to do when inclement weather hits the region.
Metrorail
Metro will have up to 20 trains equipped with de-icing equipment to combat snow and ice on the electrified third rail, which must be clear to allow electricity to flow to move the trains. Up to 12 trains will be available to operate in regular passenger service on all rail lines with the remaining eight trains in rail yards. If necessary, these trains will be placed in service at the start of morning rush hour and will be available to operate throughout the day if conditions warrant.
“The de-icing equipment is neither dangerous nor flammable, and passengers should not be concerned that it is aboard their train. If they prefer not to be in a rail car with the equipment, they can move to another rail car,” Francis said. Those same trains also will have special scrapers to help keep ice off of the third rail. If ice builds up on the third rail, it does not allow for the free flow of electricity from the rail to power the train. Keeping the third rail ice-free is a continuous process.
Metro will use “heater tape,” which has been installed on sections of track with significant grades/inclines and in critical areas in the rail yards. The heater tape, which will be in use throughout the winter, is a cable clipped onto the third rail that is turned on when temperatures dip below the freezing mark to keep the third rail warm enough to prevent ice from forming.
Metro railcar maintenance staff has also “hardened” its fleet of rail cars by protecting the undercarriage motors from snow ingestion and electrical short circuits that are caused by water/snow and debris. The traction motors have been coated with a protective material to help prevent the ingestion of snow and water.
The Impact to Metrorail During a Significant Snow Storm
For the most part, Metrorail operates very close to a normal schedule in snows of four to six inches. Customers may experience crowded conditions when commuters leave their cars at home and use Metro on snowy days. On occasion, Metro may use snow and ice clearing equipment between regularly scheduled passenger trains. This may cause longer waits between trains to allow time for the snow to be cleared.
If a snowstorm of eight or more inches is forecast for the region, Metro will focus on preserving its rail car fleet, and may suspend above ground rail service and serve underground stations. This allows Metro to spare more rail cars from weather-related breakdowns, focus snow clearing operations on above ground tracks and store a limited number of trains underground.
Metrobus
Under normal conditions, Metrobus service works in tandem with Metrorail service. Many Metrobus routes take customers to Metrorail stations. However, bus service depends on road conditions, so passengers should expect possible detours and delays due to changing road conditions.
MetroAccess
MetroAccess will operate as road conditions dictate, so passengers should expect possible detours and delays due to changing road conditions. Passengers with scheduled rides should call (301) 562-5360 for a status update of their ride.
Metro Snow Facts
Metro has 2,200 tons of bulk rock salt to treat Metro roadways and parking lots. The salt is stored in seven salt domes and one storage building around the system. Each dome holds approximately 300 tons of rock salt.
Metro has 18,000, 50-pound bags of de-icer (calcium chloride) for treating sidewalks and platforms.
Metro has 71 tractors, 70 pick up trucks, 18 larger trucks, five dump trucks with plows, 96 snow brooms, and 122 snow blowers to remove snow from Metro-owned facilities.
Metro has two contractors on call to support efforts if snow accumulation reaches four inches or more. They are primarily used to clear parking lots.
Metro has several hundred personnel to aid in support of the snow removal effort.
Updates on Winter Weather Conditions
There are a variety of ways for customers to stay informed during a major storm. Metro constantly updates local news media of Metro service changes. Information is also available at www.metroopensdoors.com or by calling Metro at 202-637-7000. Customers can also subscribe to e-Alerts and receive up-to-date service disruption information on Metrorail and MetroAccess.
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News release issued at 8:58 am, December 22, 2008.