Track Circuit Monitoring and Maintenance

Since the rail accident on June 22, 2009, Metro has raised the standard for acceptable track circuit performance. As a result, we are checking our 3000 circuits more often and that means, in some cases, trains need to slow down to a safe speed as they pass through areas where we're working.

Engineers now review track circuit information twice daily, and if a circuit fails to meet the new standard, they dispatch a crew to inspect the circuit. When the circuit is inspected, and, if necessary, an adjustment or correction is made on the spot. If the circuit requires a more complex response, that circuit may be turned off, until the correction can be completed. Although the circuit is turned off, the train controller in Metro's operations control center can still see where the train is, and has radio contact with the operator of the train. While the circuit is off, trains must travel along the distance of that circuit, usually between 400 and 1000 feet, at a reduced speed.

As a result your travel may be affected in the following areas as trains may move at slower speeds due to this monitoring and maintenance. This table will be updated every weekday.

Line	Start Date	From Station	To Station	Circuit Maintenance/ Inspection Status
	02/09/10	Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood	Brookland-CUA	One circuit identified. Investigation on-going.
	02/09/10	Twinbrook	Rockville	One circuit identified. Investigation on-going.
	02/06/10	Farragut North	Dupont Circle	One circuit identified. Investigation on-going.
	02/04/10	L'Enfant Plaza	Smithsonian	One circuit identified. Investigation on-going.
	02/04/10	Grosvenor-Strathmore	White Flint	One circuit identified. Investigation on-going.
	02/04/10	Smithsonian	Federal Triangle	Two circuits being investigated.
	01/29/10	Ballston-MU	East Falls Church	One circuit adjusted and verified. Investigation continues.

updated as of February 09, 2010

View a list of completed Track Circuit Maintenance