January’s Red Line derailment was due to a rusted rail that eventually cracked under the weight of a train, a final Metro investigation has confirmed.

Metro said the crack could not have been detected before the Jan. 15 derailment, but the agency is again making changes to track inspection protocols.

Metro plans to increase its use of technology and not just depend on walking track inspections. High-resolution cameras and ultrasonic testing tools will help scan ties and test for rail base corrosion. The technology-based testing is meant to complement existing walking track inspections, documents prepared for the Metro Board said.
More>>