WASHINGTON — Metro says a real-time computer monitoring system is now in place to detect and warn of the type of problem that caused the 2009 train crash in which nine people died.

Metro announced Thursday that the system is now in use.

Metro previously reviewed data two times a day that would indicate a problem. But the new system monitors trains in real time.

The new system is a significant step to returning trains to automatic control. Metro has been running trains in manual mode since the accident but is hoping to return to automatic train movement.

Metro is still working on a safety analysis that will determine what if any further actions need to be taken before returning to automatic control.

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