Aggressive braking and slippery tracks are the likely causes of the 2023 CTA Yellow Line train crash with snow-removal equipment, according to the final report from the National Transit Safety Board.
The report notably does not fault the train operator for having alcohol in his system during the crash on Nov. 16, 2023, that critically injured three people — including the operator — just north of the Howard Street station. The operator applied brakes within one second of learning of the snow-removal equipment ahead, the NTSB investigation found.
“Although toxicology results show that the train operator had consumed ethanol and likely was experiencing some impairing effects of ethanol at the time of the collision, he responded to the zero-speed command quickly (within 1 second) and appropriately,” the NTSB wrote in its report released Jan. 29.
“It is unlikely that effects of ethanol contributed to the collision.”
The NTSB also faulted the CTA’s decision to disable the train’s anti-slip braking feature, which investigators found slowed down braking. The report notes the train’s wheels slipped due to aggressive braking and organic material on the tracks. Testing found the material to be leaves on the tracks and black leaf residue left by leaves that had been crushed by train wheels, the report states.
Thirty-one people, including the operator, were aboard the train as it approached the plow, with six workers on board. The train operator knew the plow was on the tracks for training but did not know where, according to the report.
The plow was stopped while the Yellow Line train was going 54 mph — below the 55 mph limit — when the operator got a signal command to stop due to the plow being about 2,150 feet ahead. The operator hit the emergency brakes and got the train down to 23 mph when the train and plow collided, according to the final report.
In response to the crash, the CTA reduced the Yellow Line’s speed limit from 55 mph to 35 mph, enabled the anti-slip braking feature on its 5000-series trains, began an inspection program on tracks for slippery debris and issued bulletins to remind employees of best practices for operating trains under slippery conditions.
Several of the train’s passengers have filed lawsuits against the CTA, which are pending.