Oahu's new Skyline rail system is set to revolutionize travel in the Aloha State, and the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS) has proposed a three-level security system to ensure the safety of passengers, especially those with disabilities. The federally mandated railroad safety plan is about to be officially approved, and it names the DTS as ultimately responsible for the future rail system. This plan outlines various functions and responsibilities related to safety, the safety activities of the system, and processes for identifying and managing potential system hazards. The railway plan serves as a guiding document that will help manage the safety of the operating railway system.
It also includes safe work practices for construction workers or office staff to continue to advance the construction of the Oahu Railroad. The Honolulu Railroad is expected to have a major impact on Oahu's real estate sector, with transit-oriented development (TOD) of housing, services and jobs at each of the stops. Louis Erteschik, executive director of the Hawaii Center for Disability Rights, stated that people with disabilities should be satisfied with the accessibility features of the railroad. He noted that on a bus, there is a living person tying you up, but in a train car, especially if there's no person alive, you wouldn't have that.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made railroad funding more difficult due to its impact on Hawaii's economy. However, this has not stopped progress on the project. The stations near the Ewa end of the railway line were completed and the railroad services that passed through Kalihi and the city center were being relocated. While some people see the railroad as an eyesore in Hawaii's sky, others see it as an innovative method of transportation that will transform Oahu. The DTS is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for passengers on Oahu's Skyline rail system.
The three-level security system proposed by DTS will ensure that all passengers are safe while traveling on the railway. Additionally, the federally mandated railroad safety plan will help manage potential hazards and provide safe work practices for construction workers and office staff. Finally, Louis Erteschik's comments provide assurance that people with disabilities will be able to use the railway safely.
