A University of Southern California professor who has studied Los Angeles' Metro system for the last 25 years says he warned the agency of dangers at a crossing where a student was critically injured in a car crash with a train over the weekend.
"This was not the first one and unfortunately will not be the last one," said USC researcher and engineering professor Dr. Najmedin Meshkati.
On Saturday, investigators say 31-year-old USC film student Jacob Fadley illegally made a left-hand turn, when the train slammed into his car and derailed.
"Our report was almost like 400 pages long - nobody listened," Meshkati said. "I think it's a function of lack of leadership and good oversight."
Meshkati wrote a paper about the safety of the then proposed Expo Line in 2007, and worked for free as a consultant for community groups that wanted more safety measures in place.
Back in 2012 he said Rodeo Road and Exposition Boulevard was particularly problematic, and that it was in his opinion one of the most confusing and dangerous intersections in L.A. County. He said it had to be be redesigned and simplified for safety reasons.
Meshkati points to design flaws in every rail line of the city.
"The light train right of way was there, they put a track over there, they put some arms and gates and said OK, you guys work with it. This is not a good way," Meshkati said.
For Metro's part, it leans on the California Public Utilities Commission for compliance and tout a strong safety record that continues to make improvements. But they admit much of that rides on the public doing its part to stay safe.
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"Those train cars weigh a 100,000 pounds apiece," said Metro's Marc Littman. "Even going at slow speeds they can't stop on a dime."
Littman said Metro train crashes are rare.
"We average on the light rail system about one motor vehicle accident for every 200,000 miles we travel," he said.
Metro said it is looking through onboard surveillance video in its investigation into the circumstances surrounding Saturday's crash.
