In a recent news report by WKMG, a significant development in Florida's transportation sector was highlighted. Last year, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill granting the state authority to regulate the Walt Disney World Monorail System. This move marked a shift in oversight for the iconic transportation system, which has been a staple at Disney parks for over 50 years. For those interested in exploring the Disney Monorail System in detail, a map is available at Disney World Maps
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been actively working to understand and regulate Disney's monorail system. This involves learning about Disney's maintenance and inspection processes, which have been in place for decades. FDOT engineers have met with Disney's technical teams and reviewed safety manuals and other documentation provided by Disney.
FDOT's new role includes conducting field inspections of the 14-mile monorail system and establishing minimum safety standards. This is not entirely new territory for FDOT, as they have experience regulating other transportation systems like the people mover trams at Orlando International Airport and similar systems in Miami and Tampa. For those interested in other unique transportation options in Orlando, including alternatives to Disney's Monorail, you can find more information at Visitor Orlando's blog
The regulation of Disney's monorail system is unique because it's the first private rail system to be overseen by FDOT. The state may conduct both scheduled and unscheduled inspections, and operators are required to report any serious incidents to FDOT within two hours.
This regulatory change follows an incident nearly 15 years ago when a Disney monorail pilot was killed in a crash due to human error. After this, Disney made several safety improvements, but the National Transportation Safety Board emphasized the importance of external safety oversight for public transportation systems.
There's been some speculation about the reasons behind this new regulation, with Disney's lawyers suggesting that Governor DeSantis approved the new model rail regulations as a form of retaliation against the company. However, it's unlikely that FDOT would shut down Disney's monorails unless there were significant safety concerns.
FDOT plans to inspect Disney's monorail system every two years, but there are still many questions about how the state will oversee this iconic transportation system. For more detailed information on the new regulation policy, you can read an article at Click Orlando.
This development is a fascinating story, highlighting the intersection of government regulation and private enterprise in the realm of public transportation.
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