FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

WASHINGTON

October 20, 2015

Mike O'Rielly
Commissioner

Ms. Therese McMillan

Acting Administrator
Federal Transit Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Acting Administrator McMillan:
The Federal Transit Administration's ("FTA") recently-asserted safety oversight responsibility
for Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority's ("WMATA") transit rail
operations ("DC Metro") provides an opportunity to reverse flawed decisions and reenergize
efforts to deploy commercial wireless infrastructure within the system. Respectfully, I implore
you to consider that passengers and workers using their own wireless devices throughout the
tunnels and stations to convey critical real-time information in emergency situations are the first
line of safety. Quite simply, when DC Metro riders - often the first to see a problem developing
- try to notify first responders, they frequently are unable to receive a signal strong enough to
make a simple call to 9-1-1 to report the emergency. To fully utilize such an important
notification capability, America's wireless providers need greater cooperation from WMATA to
update the DC Metro system for modem wireless communications.
Given its involvement and activities, I am sure FTA is familiar with past tragic events and safety
exposure points prevalent in the DC Metro system. These include the January 2015 major
incident on the Yellow Line tunnel between L'Enfant Plaza and the Pentagon; the May 2015
delays on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines due to smoke in the tunnel between Rosslyn and
Foggy Bottom; and the June 2015 incident of smoke in the Red Line tunnel between the
Bethesda and Medical Center stations. In addition, an attempted infant abduction occurred in
September 2015 between the Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom stations. Upon inspection, these
incidents illustrate that lives are put in danger by the inability of DC Metro's everyday
passengers, visiting tourists and workers to use wireless devices to reach emergency personnel.
While the Federal Communications Commission has no immediate authority over WIVIATA, our
recent work on 9-1-1 and emergency communications has reaffirmed the fundamental principle
that consumers benefit most when America's communications networks are fully deployed and
operational. We have also seen that emergency communications systems are susceptible to
breakdown or failure unless all components, including the public's ability to report events, are
functioning properly. In essence, our work to facilitate a responsive emergency communications
network relies, in part, on others, especially public safety and other government officials,
coordinating to address all points of system weakness. Having effective commercial wireless
networks within DC Metro would, at a minimum, alleviate a glaring safety problem within the
system, while assisting the Commission's work to promote reliable emergency communications.

445 12TH STREET SW WASHINGTON, DC 20554 202-418-2300

October 20, 2015

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It is my understanding that WMATA is in contract negotiations with wireless providers to permit

and deploy ubiquitous, modem wireless communications within the DC Metro system, including
its tunnels. While this is generally good news, reports indicate that the agreement may include a
provision whereby WMATA employees would perform the necessary upgrades to the DC Metro
system, such as the actual fitting, mounting, set up and connection of wireless facilities. If this is
the case, extreme diligence will be required by FTA to ensure that the necessary work is
performed by WMATA and completed as required. Moreover, the troubling timeline for the
entire project - reportedly scheduled to take until 2020 - should inspire FTA to examine ways to
expedite the work. In sum, FTA should establish milestones and associated deadlines to ensure
WMATA's work is conducted successfully and as quickly as possible.
I thank you in advance for your effort to improve wireless communications for passengers and
workers within DC Metro. Please do not hesitate to contact me if! can be of assistance on this
important matter.
Sincerely,

Michael O'Rielly
Commissioner