During the past several months, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has implemented more than a dozen initiatives designed to improve communication with riders during emergencies.

The agency has distributed evacuation maps, upgraded public-address systems in 38 stations, made more frequent and widespread announcements and electronic notifications, and created signs that can be placed on fare gates to inform riders about major service disruptions before they enter the system. WMATA also is dispatching additional personnel to affected stations to help passengers during service disruptions.