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WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The National Transportation Safety Board, an independent U.S. agency, published its wish list for 2014, which includes improved mass transit railroad safety. In its 2014 "Most Wanted List," the agency said it included operational safety in mass rail transit for the first time following a year in which in investigated rail accidents in Chicago and San Francisco.
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"Millions of Americans rely on commuter rail, subways and light rail for their daily commute," making safer systems a priority, the NTSB said.
"The traveling public relies on a safe and efficient transportation system. Yet, every year, we see over 35,000 fatalities," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman.
"That's why we have the Most Wanted List: Steps we can take today, so that more people make it home tonight," she said.
The agency also added helicopter safety to its 2014 wish list, noting the 1,470 documented helicopter accidents between 2002 and 2013.
Those accidents included 477 fatalities, the agency said.
The wish listed also included protecting the space of people in vehicles, called occupant protection, passenger vessel safety, distraction related to electronic devices, fire safety, general aviation, pipeline safety, positive train control and substance-impaired driving.
The NTSB said 2.5 million miles of pipelines are part of the nation's infrastructure, "powering thousands of homes and delivering important resources."
Currently, the agency has two pipeline related investigations underway. One involves an explosion in Birmingham, Ala. The other involves a rupture and fire in Sissonville, W.Va., which destroyed three homes.
