French Land Transport Accident Investigation Bureau

The French Land Transport Accident Investigation Bureau[1] (Bureau d'Enquêtes sur les Accidents de Transport Terrestre, abbreviated BEA-TT) is an agency of the French government formed in 2004 and charged with the investigation into accidents involving all forms of land transport, including railways, urban guided transportation systems (metros, trams), cable-hauled transport systems, road transport (heavy goods vehicles, and public transport by coach and bus), and canals and other navigable inland waterways.[2] It is headquartered at the Tour Voltaire (FR) in La Défense business district in Puteaux.[3]

History

Prior to the formation of the BEA-TT, the government minister with responsibility for transportation would set up ad hoc investigation commissions, for example after the 1988 Paris-Gare de Lyon rail accident and 1999 Mont Blanc tunnel fire. These commissions were supported by the Conseil Général des Ponts et Chaussées (CGPC, "Civil Engineering General Council").[2]

The CGPC's experience, particularly following the Mont Blanc tunnel fire, showed there was a need for a new legal framework that guaranteed investigators access to sites, recordings and information covered by commercial confidentiality or pre-trial non-disclosure agreements.[2] An Act of parliament passed on 3 January 2002 supplied the legal basis for technical investigations and reaffirms and mandates the investigatory principals of independence, and commits to the publishing of the report. The BEA-TT was founded by a decree on 26 January 2004, with the right of access to all elements useful to an investigation, even those covered by non disclosure or confidentiality requirements such as those pre-trial or for commercial and medical reasons.[2]

Investigations

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Annual Report" (PDF). French Land Transport Accident Investigation Bureau. 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2010. (Archive)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Land transport accident investigation bureau (BEA-TT)". French Land Transport Accident Investigation Bureau. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  3. ↑ "Contacter le BEA-TT" (in French). Bureau d'Enquêtes sur les Accidents de Transport Terrestre. Retrieved 8 February 2015. - "Tour Voltaire, 7ème étage, 92055 LA DEFENSE Cedex"

External links