TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — Taichung MRT has come under scrutiny following an incident involving a crane boom that fell onto the tracks, resulting in the death of one passenger and injuries to ten others.
The MRT released video footage of the incident at Feng-le Park Station on the Green Line that lasted 55 seconds from when the crane boom fell onto the tracks until the train stopped. In the video, MRT staff immediately reported the incident to the control center. However, they were unable to halt the train in time.
All Taichung MRT trains have a two-meter-long sensor in front of the car that detects foreign objects on the track.
According to Taichung Metro Vice President Yeh Chin-tsai, the emergency brake are only triggered when the sensor hits an object. Concerns have been raised about the system's efficacy in stopping a train if damages have already occurred.
To improve safety measures, Taichung MRT Chief of Operations Hsu Tai-ming suggested that passengers could trigger an emergency stop by preventing the train doors from closing three times.
The incident resulted in an 18-hour suspension of all Taichung metro lines for emergency repairs. The incident highlights the need for more robust emergency response procedures and improved safety measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
