The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board announced yesterday the formation of a panel that will independently review MBTA safety practices and past incidents. The purpose of the panel is to determine to what extent the authority should expand its existing safety management protocols for its vehicles and infrastructure, according to an MBTA press release.The Safety Review Panel will be made up of three people: former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, former acting Federal Transit Administration (FTA) leader Carolyn Flowers and former New York City Transit President Carmen Bianco. “A fresh look at rail safety by experienced and independent professionals will assure the board and the public that we continuously and rapidly modify any and all practices found wanting,” said MBTA Vice Chair Monica Tibbits-Nutt. Chariman Joseph Aiello, along with Tibbits-Nut, led the effort to recruit the panelists.The panel will work collaboratively with federal and state oversight partners and regulators, including the FTA, Federal Railroad Administration and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.
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