Phased-in connectivity from major cell phone carriers will continue over the course of the rest of the year and into early 2019.
In an MBTA Transit Police affidavit filed in Dorchester District Court, investigators said the driver told authorities he reached into his backpack to “take a quick peek” at his phone shortly before the Dec. 29 crash.
The agency is crowdsourcing data collection to determine how distracted driving impacts the city's communities.
The employees were terminated for violating drug and alcohol abuse, and cell phone policies.
In addition to regular cellular service, emergency 911 calls can also be made by Metro riders. In the event of an emergency, riders are reminded to first contact the train operator via the emergency intercom system located on board trains and on station platforms.
Violations include trains stopping too close to each other and workers using cell phones when they shouldn't have.
During a press briefing, NTSB officials said they expect the recorders will be able to provide investigators with “speed information, throttle positions, braking system information and about 100 other parameters.”
The proposed ban highlights debate over the use of cellphones in public spaces for work or leisure purposes, and the annoyance many feel at being roped into someone else’s conversation.
Cell service providers in Seattle can access the system through license agreements with Mobilitie, which is funding and maintaining the network under an agreement with Sound Transit.
The smartphones are programmed with apps specially designed by Keolis with data on schedules, on-time performance and service disruptions.