Metro News Release
For immediate release: October 14, 2010
Metro takes action to improve elevator, escalator reliability
Following up on independent assessment of maintenance program
Metro has already taken a number of steps as part of an action plan that it has developed to improve the maintenance of its 588 escalators and 275 elevators following an independent assessment completed this past summer.
Among the actions taken to date include addressing immediate safety concerns, improving housekeeping practices of removing debris and unrelated equipment from work areas in elevator/escalator pits, adding 11 new mechanics, increasing and repositioning rapid response teams for improved response during rush hours in alignment with ridership trends, implementing a new management development program and increasing focus on supervision and quality assurance audits.
“As an important part of the service that we deliver each day, we understand that the performance of the escalators and elevators needs to improve, which is why an independent assessment was conducted,” said Richard Sarles, Metro General Manager. “This assessment now serves as a valuable tool to ultimately improve service. I want to assure our customers that we’ve started down the long road of improvement.”
The independent assessment, conducted by Vertical Transportation Excellence, included an audit of Metro’s workforce utilization and procedures, its maintenance management tracking system and a physical audit of 30 escalators and nine elevators at Dupont Circle, Bethesda, Foggy Bottom and Woodley Park—some of Metro’s most challenging locations.
In response to the findings, Metro has developed an action plan and timeline beyond the steps already taken. Some of the next steps include:
• Begin replacing the Foggy Bottom escalator (November)
• Begin replacing Dupont escalator in (first quarter 2011)
• Begin implementing refresher training on maintenance standards and equipment familiarization (November)
• Complete escalator stopping distance (deceleration) testing (November)
• Interview for supervisor positions (October) and start their training (December)
• Initiate training for Quality Assurance officers and supervisors (December)
• Complete a water intrusion remediation plan (December)
• Award a contract for escalator/elevator pit equipment cleaning (first quarter 2011)
• Conduct a survey of lighting circuitry inside the mechanical areas of escalators and elevators (first quarter 2011)
• Conduct a follow-up Phase II assessment on the recommendations (first quarter 2011)
The audit of the workforce utilization revealed that Metro has solid maintenance standards in place that require improved follow through and compliance. It was also determined that co-locating the elevator/escalator operation control center (EOC) with the maintenance operation control (MOC) center has improved communication and thus, response time. Findings that require further action include the need to: have all elevator/escalator issues transmitted to the EOC instead of the MOC; develop a more balanced preventative maintenance schedule; provide additional training for mechanics on necessary closeout information; and increase in the number of supervisors.
The maintenance management system audit findings conveyed the need for additional software development and user training so that the system can be fully utilized.
The physical audit of the escalators and elevators revealed a lack of adherence to maintenance standards and a need to address water intrusion in machine rooms.
While the assessment was underway, Metro worked aggressively between June and September to maintain and upgrade a number of escalators and elevators. Work completed includes:
• Escalator modernizations (11 completed, 7 in progress)
• Escalator repairs (36 completed, 6 in progress)
• Escalator preventative maintenance (671 completed)
• Elevator repairs (7 completed, 1 in progress)
• Elevator modernizations (2 in progress)
• Elevator preventative maintenance (412 completed)
During the Labor Day holiday weekend, 15 escalators and 15 elevators had their preventative maintenance completed; and during the Columbus Day holiday weekend, 34 escalators and six elevators had their preventative maintenance work performed. Additionally, 18 escalators and four elevators are scheduled for modernization through June 2011.
As Metro continues to upgrade its elevators and escalators, there will always be occasions when elevators and escalators will be removed from service for major overhauls or replacement, to conduct planned preventive maintenance or to catch up on state of good repair.
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News release issued at 12:38 pm, October 14, 2010.