Author: jrood

Axion wins 2011 R&D 100 award

Axion International’s Recycled Structural Composite technology, specifically its I-beam design, was selected as a winner of the 2011 R&D 100 Award, presented by R&D Magazine, for the top 100 new technologies in the world.

The I-beam design was used in the construction of several 100% recycled plastic bridges for the US Army at Fort Bragg, N.C., designed to allow for the crossing of an M1 Abrams Tank weighing in at approximately 70 tons.

The R&D 100 Award spans industry, academia and government-sponsored research. The Award for the innovative recycled plastic design was granted to the following joint developers and contributors to the I-beam project: the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Rutgers University’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McLaren Engineering Group and Axion International Holdings, Inc.

"We are confident that Axion’s proven and innovative building materials will attract new and exciting uses as engineers and architects increasingly seek advanced infrastructure building solutions that have environmentally friendly attributes," said Axion President and CEO Steve Silverman.

 

Relm Wireless joins ARINC test lab

ARINC Inc., and Relm Wireless Corp., a leading provider of high-specification radios for public safety, industry and government, have become partners in ARINC’s radio interoperability test laboratory in Annapolis, Md.

Relm has provided the ARINC lab with two of its new P25 digital portable 800MHz KNG P800 land mobile radios. The KNG P800 model provides interoperability under the Project 25 standard established by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials.

The ARINC Interoperability Test and Demonstration Center enables independent, hands-on testing of LMR performance across multiple platforms and objective performance evaluations. It is vendor-neutral platform where makers of LMR equipment, their customers and technology partners can test performance characteristics and evaluate the interoperability of radio systems.

 

 

Durbin wants parties to return to table for Springfield rail consolidation

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) proposed a second meeting to clear up recent confusion about cost estimates for the Springfield rail consolidation and bring all parties back on the same page. Durbin also said that he would be extending invitations to other members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation to discuss federal financing options and challenges.

Durbin sent a letter to the Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary, Gary Hannig; Federal Railroad Administration, Joe Szabo; the CEOs of the three major railroads Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific and Canadian National; Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman; Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter; Springfield Mayor Mike Houston and representatives from Hanson Engineering.

Durbin’s letter read:

I am writing to request your participation in a meeting to discuss possible rail consolidation in Springfield. As you may know, there have been several conflicting accounts regarding the size, scope and price of rail consolidation options currently under review. This meeting will hopefully clear up any confusion and help local leaders make the best decisions regarding future rail consolidation projects.

Two years ago, many of us gathered for a similar meeting with the goal of finding a path forward on Springfield rail consolidation. That meeting was helpful in keeping all of the parties at the table and ultimately resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding between the State, Sangamon County and the City of Springfield on studying rail consolidation in Springfield. That agreement called for the environmental and alternatives studies of Springfield rail consolidation to be completed before April 2012, a deadline that will likely be met according to federal officials.

I am requesting participation from FRA, IDOT, the railroads and Amtrak to make sure all of us fully understand the positions of these critical stakeholders. Hearing from all parties will give us a clear understanding of the stakeholders’ positions and afford us the opportunity to ask critical questions about their role in the rail consolidation projects under review. I will also be reaching out to other members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation asking them to join us and discuss federal financing options and challenges.

My office will be in touch to schedule a meeting.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin
U.S. Senator

Honolulu Rail Transit project will receive $55 million in federal funding during 2011

The Honolulu Rail Transit project will receive $55 million from the Federal Transit Administration for the current fiscal year according to a statement from Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye, Hawaii Senator Daniel Akaka, Hawaii Second District U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono and Hawaii First District U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.

"This is excellent news and a testament to the strength of Honolulu’s rail project. The fact that, in a climate of cutbacks, Honolulu’s project was able to get the full $55 million speaks volumes about the federal support for this project. This is a major achievement and positions us well for future funding requests and we are grateful to Hawaii’s Congressional delegation for their support," said Hawaii Mayor Peter Carlisle.

The $55 million in New Starts funding is identical to the amount requested in President Obama’s FY2011 budget. This is significant because the total amount of funds for Honolulu’s New Starts for FY 2011 was reduced from the $1.998 billion level enacted in FY 2010 to $1.597 billion, a 20% reduction in the total program.

"This project will bring welcome relief to thousands of commuters who are forced to spend hours in their cars on congested roadways. We have planned this project and debated its merits for decades and we must press forward. I remain committed to this project and will continue to do everything I can to direct federal funds to the work and ensure its timely completion," said Senator Inouye.

 

WMATA’s Sarles testifies on transit security progress

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles said that WMATA has substantially improved its emergency preparedness by taking a layered and strategic approach to protecting customers, employees and assets with a combination of technology, training and target hardening. The update came in testimony before the House Subcommittee on Health Care, District of Columbia, Census and National Archives.

"[WMATA] has a thorough, up-to-date, threat assessment that guides resource allocation and personnel deployment." Sarles said. "And our transit police now collaborate with more than 40 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to enhance security in the region and coordinate anti-terrorism efforts, including the FBI and Transportation Safety Administration with whom we have active and positive partnerships."

According to Sarles and WMATA Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn, WMATA uses highly visible policing techniques to deter threats to the system, including an Anti-Terrorism Team, a group of sworn officers made possible through federal Transit Security Grant funding, as well as efforts such as Blue TIDE and Operation RAILSAFE which both partner with area law-enforcement agencies to increase the show of force on the Metro system.

Taborn reported that WMATA has responded to 339 calls for service in the first half of 2011 involving a suspicious person, package, bomb threat or similar condition.

While Sarles did not detail all of WMATA’s efforts in the interest of security, he said that the Authority has implemented multiple high tech security measures, including a chemical detection system that alerts incident commanders to the chemical’s identity and provides estimates of the above and below ground spread of the chemical to protect public safety.

Since FY 2006, WMATA has received commitments of $108.6 million in transit security funds, for which it has obligated 100 percent for specific projects and expended nearly $24 million to date.

 

 

PRASA places largest ever signaling contract with Siemens

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa has commissioned Siemens with the delivery of signaling equipment and the construction of the Gauteng Nerve Center operations control center. The €90 million (US$128.6 million) contract is the largest contract for signaling equipment ever awarded in South Africa.

The contract includes 15 type Sicas S7 electronic interlockings for the railway network in the province of Gauteng. It also comprises the interlocking for Johannesburg Park Station. In addition, more than 800 counting heads and more than 380 switch machines will be installed. The communication network will also be upgraded to meet the signaling requirements. The project is due to be completed by 2016.

The South African railway network is the largest in Africa and the tenth largest in the world. Its routes can now be set and monitored electronically. The new operations control center will control a total of 70 interlockings in the Johannesburg area. The interlockings and the GNC will communicate through an optical fiber network, which Siemens delivered in 2010. The new train protection system will increase the operational capacity, provide a higher level of flexibility and safety and reduce train delays.

 

 

Caltrain gets $16 million federal grant for PTC

The Federal Railroad Administration awarded a $16 million grant to the California-High Speed Rail Authority for the design of a new, modernized signaling system on the Caltrain corridor between San Francisco and San Jose.

The money will pay for the design of a positive train control technology system and is the first step in the modernization of the Caltrain corridor, which is being planned to support electrified passenger rail service, including high-speed rail.

"Keeping people safe is our top priority and positive train control technology will ensure California’s rail network transports passengers more safely and efficiently than ever before," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This comprehensive safety technology will improve passenger service along the highly-traveled corridor between San Francisco and San Jose and will ultimately benefit the entire high-speed rail system in California."

"This initial federal investment will enable Caltrain to take an important step forward in our efforts to provide Bay Area communities with a modernized, sustainable commuter rail system that is fully compatible with future high-speed rail service," said Caltrain Executive Director Mike Scanlon. "The Administration and our Congressional leaders should be applauded for recognizing the importance of optimizing safety and promoting integration with regional systems as we continue to plan a project that will transform the way Californians travel."

The project is being developed by Caltrain as part of the continuing partnership between the Peninsula rail system and the California High-Speed Rail Authority to undertake projects of mutual benefit to both systems.

The new signal system will allow train movements and schedules to be coordinated more efficiently, improving the safety and reliability of all passenger rail operations that use the corridor: Caltrain, Altamont Commuter Express, Amtrak and the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority.

The overall modernization of the Caltrain system includes the electrification of the corridor and the operation of electric vehicles.

Caltrain will match the federal investment with $4 million. The project’s total cost is $251 million.

Illinois gets federal OK to spend money on rail corridor

The Illinois Department of Transportation received the "go ahead" from U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to start spending $126 million for Chicago’s Englewood Flyover project, after an agreement was reached between NS, Amtrak and IDOT.

The project, which will get under way late summer, will eliminate one of the nation’s largest rail bottlenecks. The Illinois Department of Transportation contributed $6.6 million to the $133 million project.

The Englewood Flyover is a grade separation project south of Chicago Union Station that eliminates one of the most delay-prone intersections in the entire Amtrak system. It separates Rock Island District Metra commuter trains from Amtrak passenger trains traveling on the Norfolk Southern corridor.

"Untying rail congestion in Chicago is critical to developing a Midwest passenger rail network that will connect the 40 largest markets in the Midwest," said Secretary LaHood. "Building the Englewood Flyover will put Americans back to work this summer and create new orders in our domestic supply chain."

The Englewood Flyover project is part of the CREATE Program, a partnership between the State of Illinois, the City of Chicago, freight railroads, Metra and Amtrak, to remove and reduce train congestion throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest region.

"Not only will Illinois see the benefit of new construction jobs and some desperately needed congestion relief, this is a great opportunity for Illinois suppliers to bid on new orders," said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. "Illinois has more railway suppliers than any other state in the country and does more than $4.5 billion in sales each year."

 

Sound Transit ready to close final construction contract for Central Link project

Seattle’s Sound Transit staff has decided on the cost to close out the last major construction contract for the Central Link light rail initial segment.

With the decision, the total estimated project cost of $2.32 billion brings the project in at about $117 million below the $2.436 billion baseline budget established in 2001. The project opened on time in July 2009, consistent with the schedule adopted in 2001.

"We are poised to close the books on one of the most significant transportation investments in this region," said Ahmad Fazel, Sound Transit executive director of design, engineering and construction management. "This was a challenging project and we’re proud to have delivered it on time and under budget."

Sound Transit contractor RCI-Herzog had originally sought $137 million as part of its claim for work the contractor performed building the 4.3-mile light rail segment through the Rainier Valley in southeast Seattle. This week, an independent arbitration panel awarded the contractor approximately $66 million.

Because Sound Transit had already paid approximately $17 million as part of an interim settlement for the work, the contractor will receive approximately $49 million from the award during contract closeout.

While rebuilding the roadway, sidewalks and constructing the new light rail right of way and stations, the contractor encountered significant challenges. These included more contaminated soil than expected, underground utility conflicts and other design issues to complete the segment in time for the July 2009 opening.

 

BART board approves $300 million contract for Warm Springs extension

California’s Bay Area Rapid Transit has awarded a contract for the design-build of line, track, station and systems for the Warm Springs Extension to Warm Springs Constructors in the amount of $299,050,00.

The Warm Springs Extension project will extend the BART system 5.4 miles south from Fremont Station to the Warm Springs district of the city of Fremont. It will be implemented primarily via two major construction contracts: the Fremont Central Park Subway contract, which was awarded the joint venture of Shimmick Construction Co. Inc./Skanska USA Civil West California District Inc., and the design-build of the line, track, station and systems.

Unitrac wins $6.7 million contract from South Dakota

Unitrac Railroad Materials, Inc., a specialty trackwork manufacturer and distributor of new and relay rail, has received a $6.7 million award from the state of South Dakota. The contract involves furnishing 25 track miles of rail and other track components for the reconstruction of the Mitchell to Rapid City Railroad, which is owned by the state of South Dakota and operated by the Dakota Southern railroad.

Agreement reached for CREATE program’s Englewood Flyover

Norfolk Southern, the Illinois Department of Transportation and Amtrak have reached a development agreement that will bring the Federal Railroad Administration one step closer to obligating $133 million in funding for the Englewood Flyover. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said this agreement will move the project forward and help prevent any future attempts by House Republicans to rescind this funding that was appropriated through the Recovery Act.

"Earlier this year, I joined with my colleagues to stop an attempt by the House Republicans to rescind nearly $400 million in Illinois transportation funding, $133 million for the Englewood Flyover project," said Durbin. "We were successful then, but the House threat remains. Just last week, House Republicans passed an appropriations bill out of committee that included a provision to rescind unobligated high-speed rail funds. The sooner we can obligate the funds, the sooner we can begin putting people to work and moving these important projects forward while creating the good paying jobs we desperately need in Illinois."

The Englewood Flyover project will create an estimated 1,450 jobs in Chicago and is the linchpin for the CREATE rail modernization program. CREATE will ensure that the Chicago region is prepared to handle future increases in rail traffic. It will reduce congestion with track, switch and signal upgrades and by constructing overpasses and underpasses to end conflicts at both rail-rail and highway-rail crossings. It will also limit locomotive engine idling and improve air quality.

Earlier this year, Durbin sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, urging him to obligate as soon as possible nearly $400 million in Illinois transportation funding. This funding would have kept eight Illinois projects safe from rescission under the House Republican’s 2011 Budget plan.

UP’s Young tells STB regulations will harm freight industry

At a hearing before the Surface Transportation Board on June 22, Union Pacific CEO Jim Young testified that increased regulation would harm UP’s commitment to investment and job creation.

UP has invested more than $30 billion of capital in the past 11 years and expects to invest $3.3 billion this year.

Young pointed to the 15,000 in new hires UP has planned for 2011 and added that additional regulation would curtail investment and stunt job growth.

"The reality is that if the current balance of regulation is altered, freight rail will be unable to keep its commitment to invest in the future of our country’s economy and jobs. At a time when our country faces a crisis in transportation infrastructure, the industry and regulators should be working together on preserving and encouraging further private investment, not debating changes that would have the opposite effect," said Young.

CREATE update: 71st Street underpass project breaks ground

Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3), Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, Bridgeview, Illinois Mayor Steven Landek and CREATE partners joined together at a groundbreaking ceremony for a $27 million underpass to take 71st St. under the Indiana Harbor Belt/CSXT railroad tracks adjacent to Toyota Park. This project will create 290 jobs, eliminate long delays for drivers, enhance safety and improve air quality.

"Not only will this project create hundreds of jobs at a time when jobs are desperately needed, it will permanently eliminate delays and improve safety for the thousands of people that pass through this crossing on a daily basis," Congressman Lipinski said. "I’m very pleased to have helped secure funding for the 71st St. underpass."

The 71st St. underpass is part of the CREATE rail modernization program. Congressman Lipinski is a leading advocate for CREATE, having obtained the first $100 million in federal funding for the project in 2005. He led the Illinois Congressional delegation in supporting Illinois’ TIGER grant application, which yielded $80 million for other CREATE projects throughout the Chicago region.

MARTA’s FY12 budget approved with fare increase, security enhancements

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Board of Directors voted to approve its Fiscal Year 2012 operating and capital budgets, which include a base fare increase from $2 to $2.50, some bus service improvements, system-wide security enhancements and safety and state-of-good-repair initiatives. The board adopted an operating budget of $413.76 million, a capital budget totaling $185.5 million and $143.7 million in debt service.

"Unfortunately, the economic downturn has taken its toll on MARTA’s finances and with the cost of doing business continuing to go up, a fare increase is required in order to maintain current bus and rail service levels for our customers," said MARTA Board Chairman Jim Durrett.

Chairman Durrett went on to say that the MARTA Board has worked to reduce internal costs, cutting $100 million from its budget over the past three years and raised additional revenues through innovative vending and advertising programs.

After hearing from more than 260 community members during the public hearing and comment process, the MARTA board adopted a budget focused on stabilizing its financial condition and maintaining current service levels. Along with the base fare change, the cost of weekly and monthly passes will increase. MARTA will also continue to stagger increases for Mobility base fare.

Caltrain fare increase kicks in July 1

Caltrain will raise its fares for the sixth time since 2005, adding 25 cents to the base fare charged to ride the Peninsula commuter rail service. The increase will be effective July 1.

The Caltrain Board of Directors approved the 25-cent increase after extensive public input on resolving the rail system’s current and ongoing fiscal problems.

Fares paid by Caltrain customers cover approximately 44 percent of the cost of providing its service. Members of the public, including customers, frequently commented that they would be willing to pay more to ride Caltrain if the increased fares helped to resolve the immediate budget crisis.

A chart showing the new fares can be found on the Caltrain website.

AAR: Freight rail private investments support jobs

The Association of American Railroads told the Surface Transportation Board that the current rail economic regulatory framework allows freight railroads to sustain billions of dollars in private capital investments in the nation’s rail network each year and support more than 1.2 million jobs around the country.

Testifying at a hearing on freight rail competition regulations, AAR President and CEO Edward Hamberger told the STB that today’s rail regulations have engendered a competitive freight marketplace that encourages private investment in railroads, rather than relying on the federal government to fund the nation’s rail infrastructure.

"Freight railroads today spend more than $20 billion in private funds each year to keep our nation’s rail network the envy of the world and American businesses competitive in the global marketplace," said Hamberger. "These are private investments made by railroads so that taxpayers don’t have to."

Hamberger told the STB that they should maintain and preserve today’s balanced regulatory framework because it has benefited rail customers and the public alike. "Rail rates are down by 51 percent since 1981, which means the average shipper can move twice as much freight for the same price as 30 years ago," he pointed out.

At the STB hearing, Hamberger also explained that changing the current regulations on rail competition and forcing the railroads to provide other carriers with access to their networks and property would make the rail network less efficient and affect service to customers.

"Railroads know best how to operate their networks efficiently to best serve their customers," he told the Board.

"Proposed changes to how this country’s interconnected rail network operates threaten to disrupt a system that serves customers in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible," Hamberger said. "Today’s balanced regulations enable freight railroads to serve all their customers while continuing to invest in the country’s 140,000 mile rail network."

FTA makes $10.5 million available to GCRTA University Circle transit station

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration has indicated that the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority can begin work on the University Circle Rapid Transit Station, which was awarded $10.5 million from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery II Program in October 2010.

The project will involve reconstructing the station, clearing the way for work to begin on one of the busiest transfer points in the transit system. A key element of reconstruction is consolidating the bus and transfer area and the rail station, which are currently separated by the busy Cedar Glen Parkway.

"This project makes riding transit more convenient, safe and accessible to persons with disabilities," said U.S. Transporation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We want to help bring Cleveland’s transit system into a state of good repair and this was one need that could not be delayed any longer."

When the station is rebuilt, it will be enhanced by a new plaza, widened bikeways and walkways and a new 2,500-square-foot indoor waiting area.

GCRTA plans to break ground on the project later this year and construction is expected to last two years, during which time the station and bus terminal will remain open. The University Circle Rapid Transit Station Project was among 75 projects in 40 states that shared $600 million from the Department’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery II Program.

FRA to issue regulations on conductor certification, passenger hours-of-service

The Federal Railroad Administration will soon publish final rules instituting conductor certification and imposing new hours-of-service limitations on intercity passenger train and commuter employees in safety sensitive positions.

FRA Associate Administrator for Safety Jo Strang made the announcement at the United Transportation Union’s regional meeting June 21 in San Antonio, Texas.

Conductor certification, which becomes effective January 1, 2012, "recognizes the level of professionalism required by our conductors today," Strang said.

A notice of proposed rulemaking on conductor certification was published in November and is the product of a collaborative effort through the FRA’s Rail Safety Advisory Committee, which includes carriers, rail labor and the FRA.

Strang said the passenger hours-of-service regulation will apply sleep science and fatigue management to railroad hours-of-service, "which is the first time in our industry’s history that this has been done. It recognizes the inherent differences between freight and passenger service."

For example, intercity passenger and commuter railroads operate on fixed schedules. Commuter railroads operate primarily during daylight hours and most commuter employees return to their home terminals every night.

The passenger hours-of-service regulation will "balance the need to manage fatigue with the need to maximize income," Strang said. "The rule also recognizes the significant safety contribution that a defined start time has for the employees involved. When the employee knows when they must report for service, they can manage the necessary lifestyle adjustments. The outstanding safety record of our passenger and commuter rail operations is an excellent example of just what it means to have a regular start time."

 

New fuel efficiency program at the heart of CN’s Sustainability Agenda

Canadian National’s Fuel Management Excellence (FMX) program is said to drive both fuel efficiency and environmental benefits.

Keith Creel, executive vice-president and chief operating officer at CN said, "CN is making significant strides in improving the fuel efficiency of its freight train operations, obtaining important sustainability gains and delivering a cost-effective transportation service through a series of initiatives, including the acquisition of modern locomotives, new technology applications to existing locomotives, enhanced analytic abilities and employee training.

"We are particularly excited about our leading-edge work to set fuel efficiency targets for specific trains by route and to monitor train performance against these goals. The targets are based on established benchmarks for key fuel consumption variables such as train make-up, locomotives, train handling, route gradients and curvature and weather. This strategy to produce real-time information by train and by locomotive is truly the next frontier in precision fuel management."
CN’s FMX program includes:

• The acquisition of new fuel-efficient locomotives. In 2010, CN purchased 102 new high-horsepower locomotives, as well as 102 second-hand high-horsepower locomotives that are being upgraded. These locomotives are approximately 15 percent more fuel-efficient than the ones they replace and comply fully with applicable regulatory requirements for reduced locomotive exhaust emissions.

• Installation of Wi-Tronix telemetry systems on high-horsepower locomotives. Wi-Tronix provides real-time information about locomotive and train performance through remote measurement and reporting of data, including precise fuel consumption, to an off-board CN computer system at regular intervals or at request. The technology allows CN to optimize the match of locomotive horsepower to the trailing tonnage of the train by isolating or shutting down locomotives and reducing throttle settings. It continuously scans train operations for the proper application of train handling rules to optimize fuel use, determines when and where fueling is required and ensures temporarily inactive locomotives are shut down. CN expects to equip up to 1,200 high-horsepower locomotives with locomotive telemetry technology by 2013.

• Trip Optimizer technology from GE Transportation. Trip Optimizer is a train "cruise control" system that follows a pre-determined speed trajectory over a GPS track map to optimize fuel consumption. It minimizes braking by planning miles in advance for speed zone and terrain changes. CN’s Vancouver-Montreal corridor is fully mapped for this technology and CN is now moving intermodal trains equipped with the technology over key sections of this corridor. By September 2011, CN plans to have intermodal and merchandise trains in the corridor running with Trip Optimizer technology. CN has 125 locomotives with Trip Optimizer and plans to install this type of technology on up to 400 locomotives by the end of 2013.

• Installation of Auto Engine Start Stop (AESS) technology, which automatically shuts down an idle diesel engine, while keeping the locomotive in the proper operating state to start on demand. CN has more than 600 locomotives with this technology and plans to apply AESS-type technology on up to 800 units by 2013.

• Training of train crews and rail traffic controllers. These employees are continually being schooled on best practices, including fuel-efficient train handling techniques, matching power to train tonnage and limiting throttle use and taking advantage of train pacing opportunities at train meets.