The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the US has added 'improve subway car design' to its list of 2010's most-wanted transportation safety improvements.
A number of serious transit rail accidents nationwide, particularly last June's collision on the Washington rail system that killed nine people, is the reason for this move, according to the NTSB.
The board has recommended the government set standards for the crashworthiness of transit cars, the ability of passengers to escape from damaged cars and accessibility for the emergency services.
A federal law passed in 1965 prohibits federal transit authorities from setting standards for local subway systems.
