Current WMATA Speed Restrictions

Posted byRoger BowlesPosted inWMATA

***DEPRECATION NOTICE***

The speed restriction information on this page will no longer be updated. Due to changes in WMATA operations, track inspections are now done both during mid-day and overnight hours. Lack of 24-hour monitoring severely restricts our ability to maintain parity with the restrictions that WMATA puts in place on their tracks when defects are discovered overnight.

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This page is our attempt at keeping an accurate up-to-date list of speed restrictions on the Metrorail system. Items may be added to this list as track inspectors identify issues and place temporary restrictions until repairs are made. Dates listed typically indicate when the restriction was added or implemented. If you are aware of speed restrictions not listed here or not confirmed, please contact us or tweet to us at @RailTransitOps.

What are speed restrictions?

Speed restrictions are when trains are required to slow down while passing a particular section of track. There are two types (“automatic” and “manual”) of restrictions that can be implemented at various speeds. A “slow” speed restriction will restrict trains to running no greater than 15mph over track. A “medium” speed restriction will  restrict trains to running no greater than 35mph over the track.

“Automatic” speed restrictions are those that are imposed by WMATA track personnel or through changing the Automatic Train Control system. Track personnel can “turn” speed couplers, which means that trains might receive lower speed readouts (similar to a speed limit sign on the side of the highway) from the wayside track equipment.

“Manual” speed restrictions are where the train operator is required to ensure that their train is operating under the temporary speed restriction limit, but is not enforced by the Automatic Train Control system.

Current Speed Restrictions

 Red Line

  • 15mph speed restriction, Metro Center -> Gallery Place, ATC circuit issues causing loss of speed readouts (48, 5/20/2016-)
  • 45mph speed restriction between Grosvenor & Dupont Circle due to FTA-directed peak power draw reduction (~5/8/2016-)
    • 35mph speed restriction between Medical Center & Union Station due to WMATA internal directive (8/13/2017-)

 Green Line

 Green/Yellow

 Blue/Yellow

 Blue

 Silver/Blue

 Orange/Silver

 Orange/Silver/Blue

  • 45mph speed restriction, Rosslyn Benning Rd/Minnesota Ave  FTA-directed peak power draw reduction (~5/8/2016)
    • 35mph speed restriction between Rosslyn and Benning Rd and Rosslyn and Minnesota Ave due to WMATA internal directive (8/13/2017-)

 Orange Line

Historical Speed Restrictions

  • Slow speed restriction from Cheverly towards Landover for 1300′ from D1 461+00 to D1 474+00 due to 8 loose fasteners in a row on the L rail. Source: WMATA ROCC. Last verified: 8/4/2017. (8/4/2017-)
  • Slow speed restriction in approach to Court House from Rosslyn. Source: WMATA ROCC. (8/17/2017-)
  • Medium speed restriction in approach to Naylor Road from Southern Ave for 1600′ from F2 344+00 to F2 360+00 due to severe engine burn on the rail. Source: WMATA ROCC. (8/16/2017-)
  • 15mph speed restriction from NoMa-Gallaudet to Rhode Island Ave due to a frog defect on switch 17A outside Brentwood Yard. Source: WMATA ROCC. (7/28/2017-)
  • 15mph speed restriction departing Silver Spring for Forest Glen for 1661′ from B1 451+00 to B1 467+61 due to 11 defective ties. Source: WMATA ROCC. (186, 6/9/2017-)
  • 15mph speed restriction in approach to Takoma from Fort Totten for ~700′ from B1 350 to B1 357 due to 18 loose screw spikes at frog of switch 3A. Source: WMATA ROCC. (6/20/2017-)
  • 15mph speed restriction in approach to Takoma from Fort Totten for 1200′ from B1 346+00 to B1 358+00 due to a defective switch frog w/crack at switch 3A at B1 351+80. Source: WMATA ROCC. (7/24/2017-)
  • 15mph speed restriction between Farragut North and Metro Center. Source: WMATA ROCC. (187, 6/14/2017-)
  • 15mph speed restriction in approach to Branch Ave from Suitland for 1200′ from F2 486+85 to F2 498+00 due to 5 defective railties and 7 defective fasteners on L&R rails. Source: WMATA ROCC. (6/21/2017-8/16/2017)
  • 15mph speed restriction in approach to Naylor Rd from Southern Ave for 1600′ from F2 315+70 to F2 331+70 due to six consecutive defective railties with loose screw spikes allowing lateral movement. Source: WMATA ROCC. (6/27/2017-8/16/2017)
  • 15mph speed restriction en route to Farragut North from Dupont Circle for 1200′ from A1 053+80 to A1 041+80 due to bad fasteners. Source: WMATA ROCC. (185, 6/6/2017-8/4/2017)
  • 15mph approaching Stadium-Armory from Benning Rd/Minnesota Ave for 1300′ from D2 208 to D2 221 due to defective rail fasteners. Source: WMATA ROCC. (188/189, 6/16/2017-7/24/2017)
  • 15mph from Naylor Road to Southern Avenue for 1,290′ from F1 328+50 to F1 315+60 due to four consecutive defective rail fasteners. Source: Rail Transit OPS. Last verified: 5/8/2017. (184, 5/8/2017-5/17/2017)
  • 22mph speed restriction from Metro Center to Farragut North for 1155′ from A2 022+28 to A2 033+83. Source: Rail Transit OPS. Last verified 4/3/2017. (126, 1/12/2017-5/8/2017)
  • 15mph speed restriction, Metro Center -> Gallery Place, ATC circuit issues causing loss of speed readouts (48, 5/20/2016-5/8/2017)
  • Medium speed restriction departing Fort Totten for West Hyattsville for 1844′ from E1 264+87 to E1 283+31. Source: Rail Transit OPS. (154, 2/9/2017-5/2/2017)
  • Slow speed restriction from Shaw-Howard University towards U Street for 1300′ from E1 059+00 to 072+00 due to several defective fasteners between E1 065+95 and E1 066+35. Source: WMATA ROCC. (180, 4/22/2017-5/2/2017)
  • 15mph speed restriction from Takoma to Silver Spring for 1,200′ from B1 392+50 to B1 408+94 due to a broken bolt in a rail joint bar. Source: Rail Transit OPS. Last verified: 4/21/2017. (179, 4/21/2017-4/25/2017)
  • 28mph (was 15mph) speed restriction from Rosslyn en route to Foggy Bottom for 1300′ from C1 97+00 to C1 84+00 due to defective fasteners near C1 90+00. Source: WMATA ROCC. Last verified: 4/17/2017. (175, 4/12/2017-4/19/2017)
  • 15mph speed restriction approaching and departing Friendship Heights for 1900′. Source: Rail Transit OPS. Last verified: 4/18/2017. (178, 4/18/2017-4/19/2017)
  • Medium speed restriction departing Friendship Heights in direction of Shady Grove for 2666′ from A2 298+00 to A2 324+66. Source: Rail Transit OPS. Last verified: 3/9/2017 (171, 3/9/2017-3/27/2017)
  • 28mph (was 15mph) speed restriction departing Tenleytown in the direction of Shady Grove for 3515′ from A2 263+00 to A2 298+15 due to defective fasteners at A2 278+15. Source: Rail Transit OPS. (159, 2/15/17-3/27/2017)
  • Medium speed restriction approaching Tenleytown in direction of Glenmont for 600′ from A1 277+10 to A1 271+10 (162, 3/9/2017-3/27/2017)
  • Medium speed restriction en route to Tenleytown towards Shady Grove for 3624′ from A2 220+76 to A2 257+00. Source: Rail Transit OPS. Last verified: 3/9/2017 (149, 3/9/2017-3/27/2017)
  • 22mph speed restriction departing TenleyTown in direction of Glenmont for 1068′ from A1 257+00 to A1 246+32. Source: Rail Transit OPS. Last verified: 3/9/2017 (162, 3/9/2017-3/27/2017)
  • Medium speed restriction approaching Friendship Heights towards Tenleytown for 3555′ from A1 333+70 to A1 298+15. Source: RailTransitOps. Last verified: 3/9/2017 (170, 3/9/2017-3/27/2017)
  • 28mph speed restriction from Friendship Heights to Tenleytown for 4115′ from A1 304+15 to A1 263+00. Source: Rail Transit OPS. (163, 3/9/2017-3/27/2017)
  • 22mph speed restriction en route to Tenleytown from Friendship Heights for 1046′ from A1 287+56 to A1 277+10. Source: RailTransitOPS. Last verified: 3/9/2017 (163, 3/9/2017-3/27/2017)
  • Slow speed restriction from Dupont Circle towards Woodley Park for 1300′ from A2 101 to A2 114 due to five defective fasteners on the L rail at A2 107+(70-80). Source: WMATA ROCC. (169, 3/9/2017-3/20/2017)
  • Medium speed restriction in approach to Rosslyn towards New Carrollton/Largo for 1400′ due to three consecutive defective fasteners at K1 151+80. Source: WMATA ROCC. (172, 3/10/2017-3/20/2017)
  • 15mph speed restriction departing Naylor Road for Suitland for 1,400′ from F2 390 to F2 404 due to 6 missing rail spikes (173, 3/13/2017-3/20/2017)
  • 15mph speed restriction from Benning Rd/Minnesota Ave to Stadium-Armory for 1433′ from D2 285+21 to D2 270+88 due to multiple defective stud bolts at D2 283. Source: Rail Transit OPS. (166/167, 2/22/17-3/9/2017)
  • 15 MPH speed restriction approaching Forest Glen in the direction of Shady Grove for 1200′ from B2 591+00 to B2 579+00 due to defective bolts and clips at B2 584+90 (158, 2/15/17-2/23/2017)
  • 15mph speed restriction between National Airport and Braddock Rd in both directions for 1200′ from C1/C2 399+00 to C1/C2 411+00 & possible 35mph speed restriction for approximately 5500′ from C2 411+00 to C2 466+00 towards Braddock Rd. Source: WMATA ROCC. Last verified: 11/7/2016. (80/81, 10/26/2016-1/19/2016,1/23/2017-2/9/2017)
    • Was: 15mph speed restriction between National Airport and Braddock Road in both directions; 5200′ from C1 457+00 to C1 405+00 towards National Airport, and 7000′ from C2 416+00 to C2 486+00 (along with 35mph for 900′ from C2 407+00 to C2 416+00)
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