Trains skipping stations are a not-so-common complaint amongst transit commuters. However, the problem does exist. Most authorities do not address this issue or put it off as conductor error, leaving some commuters baffled when their train slows down only to take off without ever stopping. SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority actually address this issue. SEPTA gives a very creative and impressively well thought-out reason for the runaway trains involving a technical explanation of "Slippery Rail Season".
From SEPTA's Website:
"As you’re looking out your train or trolley window admiring the vivid colors of the autumn leaves, SEPTA rail maintenance personnel are also closely watching Mother Nature’s handiwork. While they appreciate the beauty of the season, they are more concerned about the effect on rail conditions when the leaves begin to fall. Known as “Slippery Rail Season”, every year information is posted ... reminding customers about this annual occurrence and the measures SEPTA takes to combat it.
What is Slippery Rail?
Slippery Rail is a condition that occurs when falling leaves, crushed by passing vehicles, deposit a residue on the tracks. This coating decreases the friction of a train’s wheels, creating slippery rails. When this happens, travel speeds are reduced to maintain safe operations, especially on inclines and declines and when vehicles approach the station platform.
How Does SEPTA Tackle Slippery Rail?
SEPTA has an aggressive maintenance program that employs a combination of water, gel, and sand to remove oily deposits on the tracks. Over the last several years, the Authority has invested in high pressure washing equipment, mounted on trains, to blast away the leaves and leaf residue. This action has proved to be effective in removing debris from the tracks, but, short of plucking every leaf from every tree, customers may still experience intermittent service delays caused by slippery rail.
Rider Tips
Getting you to your destination without delays or inconvenience is very important, but ensuring that your trip is safe always takes precedence. So please allow some extra time to complete your trip and be alert if trains “express” past selected stations. ... Thank you for your patience – we hope you will relax and enjoy the scenery."
This may sound costly and a bit too detail oriented, but capital funds have to be spent somewhere, and if leaf-blowers mounted to trains gets the job done, then more power to SEPTA. If this doesn't make commuters more complacent, I don't know what will.
