(Photo: Jay Westcott)

This morning Unsuck DC Metro appears to have some WMATA goodies, in the form of an internal document dated Sept. 30 that lays out the agency's escalator and elevator problems. Put together by consulting firm Vertical Transportation Excellence (VTX), the document says that "obvious signs of conditions requiring immediate maintenance/service address are being overlooked."

In the last week and a half, two escalators have gone into freefall in separate incidents, dumping passengers in pileups at the bottom. The audit document appears to address this possibility (emphasis mine):

Some examples witnessed during our assessments of the elevators and escalators include but are not limited to the following:

* Major amounts of oil and lubricant on step treads and risers. Symptomatic of major leak at drive motor / reducer coupling.

* Significant accumulation of metal shavings around hand rail newel areas from worn newel wheels.

* Brake pads worn beyond usable life expectancy and out of adjustment allowing unit to freewheel to stop.

* Numerous switches in safety circuits were dirty, out of adjustment, and ineffective.

* Skirt panels were adjusted too tightly to the steps, creating metal shavings along the step roller tracks in the interior of the unit.

* Hoist ropes severely rouged [corroded] and worn beyond acceptable life expectancy.

* Sheet plastic being used to protect equipment from water intrusion. This is a critical life safety issue.

Faulty brake pads were cited in the preliminary investigation of the L'Enfant Plaza incident. You can download the document here.