Author: jrood

UP tops list, CN shows improvement in STC Rail Report Card

Union Pacific was selected as the top-performing railroad by leading U.S. agricultural shippers in the second annual Soy Transportation Coalition Rail Customer Satisfaction Index. Survey respondents provided Canadian National a 38 percent increase in its score from the previous year, giving the company a third place ranking among the seven Class 1 railroads. In 2010, Canadian National finished in last place.

The survey was completed anonymously by agricultural shippers of various sizes and scale of operations and was comprised of the same eleven questions from 2010 categorized under: 1.) On Time Performance; 2.) Customer Service; and 3.) Costs. For most questions, participants were asked to rate each of the seven Class 1 railroads on a scale from 1-10 with ten being the highest and one being the lowest.

UP finished first in eight out of eleven questions. BNSF, the top rated railroad in 2010, slipped to second place.

Soy Transportation Coalition Rail Customer Satisfaction Index – Overall Ratings:

1.) Union Pacific
2.) Burlington Northern Santa Fe
3.) Canadian National
4.) Norfolk Southern
5.) CSX Transportation

6.) Kansas City Southern
7.) Canadian Pacific Railway

Of particular note was the dramatic improvement of Canadian National over the previous year. Steenhoek said, "According to the feedback received from a number of agricultural shippers, Canadian National has increasingly reached out to its customers, solicited their input and has instituted a number of performance measures to become a more service-oriented railroad."

The seven Class 1 railroads annually transport more than 24 million tons of soybeans, 17 million tons of soybean meal and six million tons of soybean oil.

Sound Transit to start next phase of track and signal project

On June 8, construction crews will begin the next phase of the Sound Transit D to M Streets Sounder track and signal project in Tacoma, Wash.

When the final 1.4-mile segment of the project is complete, Sounder commuter rail service to Lakewood will be delivered in late 2012.

During the temporary closure, crews will bring streets to new grades, construct a rail bridge over Pacific Avenue, install new crossing gates and other safety equipment and provide landscaping to the area.

When Pacific Avenue reopens next spring, crews will begin the final phase of the project. A Street will be permanently closed to vehicular traffic, lowered and rebuilt as a pedestrian and bicycle undercrossing. Crews will also bring South C Street to a new street grade to support an at-grade rail crossing. Tacoma Rail tracks also will be rebuilt.

Knight to replace O’Bannon as AAR SVP Government Affairs

The Association of American Railroads has named Laurie Knight senior vice president of government affairs, effective July 25, 2011. Knight will succeed Hubert "Obie" O’Bannon who will retire after 23 years with the association.

"Laurie has a tremendous understanding of how to effectively represent a complex industry before key decision makers in Washington," said AAR President and CEO Edward Hamberger.

 

BNSF promotes three in operations department

BNSF has promoted three in its operations department.

Rollin Bredenberg has been named vice president, Capacity Planning and Operations Research. In this role he will have responsibility for line capacity planning, terminal capacity planning and operations research.

Bob Lease has been named vice president, Service Design and Performance, succeeding Rollin Bredenberg. Lease will be responsible for service design functions for the Coal, Agricultural, Industrial and Consumer Products business units.

Rob Reilly has been promoted to regional vice president, South Region, succeeding Bob Lease.

 

CSX recognized by Department of Defense, kicks off community service effort

CSX Corporation has been awarded the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award, given by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) agency, is the Department of Defense’s highest recognition for companies that provide exceptional support for employees serving the Guard and Reserves. In addition to being the only Class 1 railroad to receive the award this year, CSX is the only company to ever win the award twice, having first received it in 1998.

As one of 15 award recipients, CSX stood out from the more than 4,000 nominees as an employer that actively supports employees who serve both the Guard and Reserves.

"We are proud to be a major employer of America’s servicemen and women, whose superior training, experience in logistics and ability to work safely in demanding, team-based environments makes them uniquely qualified for railroading. We thank the members of our Guard and Reserves for volunteering to protect our country and its citizens, and as their employer, we remain committed to supporting them," said Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer, CSX.

In other news, CSX is kicking off an eight-month-long community service project, entitled Beyond Our Rails: Project Sanctuary (www.beyondourrails.org) that infuses five days of management training between now and Feb. 2012 with the company’s core value of giving back to the communities where its employees live and work. Through painting, mending fences, replacing windows and building new gardens and a compost bin, CSX has committed to revitalizing The Sanctuary on Eighth Street in Jacksonville, Fla., a learning haven for children in one of the city’s toughest neighborhoods, all while instilling a greater sense of community connectedness in its next generation of leaders from around the country.

Beginning June 4, groups of newly hired or promoted CSX managers will team with CSX’s existing management ranks at The Sanctuary on Eighth Street to renovate the early 1900’s era building and surrounding grounds. There will be 500 CSX employees working an estimated 1,200 service hours during the project and, for every hour volunteered, the CSX Foundation will direct $10 to a charitable organization of each employee’s choice through its Dollars for Doers program.

 

 

Teamsters Canada members ratify four-year contract with VIA Rail Canada

Members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) have ratified a four-year contract with VIA Rail Canada (VIA). The TCRC represents some 350 employees working as locomotive engineers and yardmasters at VIA. The ratification follows an agreement in principle, which was reached last April 8.

The contract was given a strong vote of support by union members, who voted close to 89 percent to accept it. The four-year agreement, which is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2011, includes wage increases of two percent, 2.5 percent, three percent and three percent, improvements to benefits and the introduction of a health care spending account to help offset benefit costs for retirees.

"We feel that this contract is fair and that it balances the best interests of the company and our employees," said Marc Laliberté, VIA’s president and chief executive officer. "Having this four-year agreement in place provides stability from a business and customer service perspective, and positions us well to tackle future challenges as a team."

Illinois RTA to end free rides for most seniors

The Regional Transportation Authority has implemented changes to the three-year-long Seniors Ride Free program, effective Sept. 1. Of the nearly 440,000 seniors who qualified to receive free transit rides, only 25,000 of them are still eligible and will be given a "Circuit Ride Free" card. The remaining 415,000 seniors will receive a "Reduced Fare" card which, totals about half the fare to ride the CTA, Metra and Pace. In doing so, the RTA’s revenue is estimated to increase by $30 million dollars annually.

The Seniors Ride Free program was changed in February after Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation that amended the RTA Act to allow only low-income seniors to continue riding free on fixed-route services.

The RTA has sent correspondence to all seniors who are currently enrolled in the program advising of the enrollment process. Public hearings will be scheduled to occur in early June throughout the region and extensive outreach and communication efforts will be made to notify seniors about the program changes.

 

Honolulu poll: residents support rail transit

Oahu residents clearly support the City’s rail transit project, and supporters outnumber opponents in all nine City Council districts, according to results of a new poll released today by Mayor Peter Carlisle and City Council Transportation and Transit Planning Committee Chairman Breene Harimoto.

Fifty-seven percent of residents polled said they support rail transit, while 40 percent said they were opposed, according the scientific survey conducted by QMark Research between May 9 to May 20 for PB Americas, Inc., the project’s general engineering consultant.

"These results taken from a scientific survey show sound support for the rail project as it moves forward," said Carlisle. "Taking this snapshot in time is important as we prepare to transition to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, and it provides useful information for the HART board of directors as its members prepare to make major decisions that will guide the rail project. The poll will also be helpful for HART members in determining how best to keep the public informed."

The poll of about 900 Oahu residents included surveys of 100 residents from each of the nine City Council districts and found that supporters outnumbered opponents in all districts. Support ranged from a high of 68 percent in District 8 (Aiea-Pearl City-Moanalua) to 50 percent support in District 5 (Kaimuki-Manoa-McCully-Kakaako-Ala Moana).

Top reasons for opposition included concerns about cost, the fact that rail will not service their area, not enough people will use it and a preference for other transportation options, such as the bus.

"While 70 percent said they felt rail would bring much-needed jobs to Oahu and help the overall economy and 58 percent said they believe rail is a good investment in our island’s future, concerns over cost underscore the importance of bringing the project in on time and on budget," said Carlisle.

MBTA completes improvements to Lynn Station

Joined by State Senator Thomas McGee and Lynn officials, MBTA General Manager Rich Davey today unveiled improvements to Lynn Commuter Rail station. Working closely with Lynn officials to promote public transportation and to ensure customers are provided a safe, reliable and accommodating experience, the MBTA has made significant improvements to the station relating to security, fare vending and the internal and external appearance of the station.

A $160,000 investment, 20 networked security cameras have been installed to provide live viewing capability to Transit Police and the MBTA’s Operations Control Center. Cameras have been installed in the following areas: commuter rail platforms, stairwells, the busway and the concourse and fare collection areas.

Additional investments include two fare vending machines installed in the busway allowing Central Square bus customers the opportunity to purchase fare media in advance. This will allow for faster boarding and increased payment options for these customers. General Manager Davey also announced one week of free parking beginning Monday, June 6 through Sunday, June 12.

 

California High-Speed Rail Authority hires regional director

California High-Speed Rail Authority named Timothy Buresh to the position of Southern California regional director, overseeing the planning of the high-speed rail alignment from south of Bakersfield to San Diego. In this capacity, Buresh will be the lead representative for the Authority throughout the most populous region of our state.

"This historic project has long needed strong leadership and representation in the southern part of our state. Tim Buresh brings significant executive professional engineering and construction experience to this project. I am pleased that he will guide these key segments of the statewide system to bring the benefits of high-speed rail to the major metropolitan areas in Southern California sooner rather than later," said, Roelof van Ark, chief executive officer of the authority.

Buresh has more than 30 years of executive experience with civil and public works projects, in all aspects of engineering, construction, project development and organizational management. He has overseen large design‐build and design‐bid‐build contracts in California. He further brings experience in large program environmental management including environmental mitigation, permitting, regulatory, outreach and contract skills.

"I see the huge potential this project has to transform our state’s transportation network and the intricacies that lie ahead to implement high-speed rail from the Central Valley through the LA Basin and into San Diego. I believe strongly this project can be and should be accomplished for California’s future," said Tim Buresh.

UP publishes second annual Sustainability and Citizenship Report

Union Pacific published its second annual Sustainability and Citizenship Report highlighting the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, safety, employee training and development, customer and community support, shareholder value and the highest standards of corporate governance and ethics.

"Our success is attributed to the hard work and dedication of our employees, communicating with stakeholders and delivering value for customers," said Robert Turner, senior vice president Corporate Relations. "We continuously strive to improve the ways we protect the environment, serve as an employer of choice, provide great customer service and deliver shareholder results."

Highlights of Union Pacific’s 2010 Sustainability and Citizenship Report:

• The company announced a fuel consumption rate reduction goal of one percent annually from 2011 to 2015, as measured on a gross-ton mile basis. Attaining this goal would represent a 23 percent fuel-efficiency improvement since 2000.

• The railroad reduced its greenhouse gas emissions rate from locomotives by three percent on a gross-ton mile basis compared to 2009.

• Union Pacific improved fuel efficiency by three percent, saving more than 27 million gallons of diesel fuel compared to 2009.

• Employees recorded the safest year in company history with a 1.37 reportable injury rate, a six percent improvement over 2009.

• The company conducted more than 7,300 safety outreach and training events, reaching more than 450,000 people.

• Union Pacific donated more than $14 million and supported more than 2,500 nonprofits through a combination of Union Pacific Foundation, matching gifts and corporate contributions.

• The railroad delivered record earnings per share, operating income, net income and operating ratio.

• The company earned an all-time best customer satisfaction score.

 

Metrolink to improve riskiest grade crossing

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board approved funds in the amount of $6 million for improvements to a railroad crossing at Doran Street, in Glendale, which is said to be the riskiest crossing on the Metrolink line.

According to the LA Times, Metrolink says the improvements will include better signals, new crossing gates, enlarging the intersection so vehicles don’t line up on the tracks, a wider turning radius for trucks and safety enhancements related to the nearby propane company.

"Doran has been an issue for a decade," said Richard Katz, who is on the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority and Metrolink boards. "We are now moving very quickly to make improvements."

The project will be provided by Measure R funds totaling $6.6 million, $6 million for the project plus a 10 percent contingency.

 

INDOT soliciting public input for state rail plan

The Indiana Department of Transportation is soliciting public participation and involvement in development of an updated Indiana State Rail Plan. Surveys are being sent to railroads, businesses and other groups that depend upon rail transportation. INDOT also wants to hear from rail users and other public stakeholders.

INDOT is hosting three Rail Planning Open Houses between June 1 and June 7 in areas that generate the state’s highest volumes of freight and/or passenger rail traffic. Brief formal presentations will be given at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The remaining time during the open houses will be informal, and citizens are invited to attend at any time to speak with members of INDOT’s Rail Office one-on-one and fill out a paper survey.
Open Houses:
• 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, 
INDOT’s Vincennes District Office, 3650 South U.S. Highway 41, Vincennes, IN.

• 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, June 2, 2011,
INDOT’s Indianapolis Traffic Management Center, 8620 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN.

• 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, June 7, 2011,
INDOT’s LaPorte District Office, 315 East Boyd Blvd, LaPorte, IN.

Citizens that have questions regarding the three Rail Planning Open Houses or need special assistance should call (317) 232-4786.

PUCO issues 2010 crossing report

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has released the Ohio Grade Crossing Statistics Report 2010. The annual report details the PUCO’s role in highway-rail grade crossing safety and provides current and historical crossing data.

"Rail crossing safety is a top priority for the PUCO," Chairman Todd Snitchler stated. "In 2010, the PUCO ordered 133 crossing safety upgrades, including the installation of lights and gates, supplemental assistance funding and circuitry upgrades."

As a crossroads state, Ohio is home to a significant amount of rail traffic. Thousands of trains operate on nearly 5,300 miles of track and over 6,000 public crossings, making Ohio the fifth leading state in terms of goods transported by rail.

Since the 1980’s the PUCO has worked to improve safety at Ohio’s public highway-rail grade crossings through education and outreach, crossing inspections, local funding opportunities and the installation of safety improvements at crossings across the state. Over this period of time, the annual number of train-vehicle crashes has decreased from more than 300 two decades ago to 64 in 2010.

The Ohio Grade Crossing Statistics Report 2010 is available online in the railroad section of www.PUCO.ohio.gov.

Alaska Railroad maintains need for herbicides in battle to control weeds

The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) reiterates that an integrated approach is essential to effective vegetation management, including the use of the herbicide glyphosate. According to the railroad, this is an issue of safety. Both the Alaska Railroad and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) require adequate vegetation control to: 1) allow inspectors to see the track to ensure its integrity; and 2) to minimize the risk of trip-slip-fall accidents for railroad crews who must walk along the track.

From 1983 to 2009, the ARRC used manual (labor with hand-held tools) and mechanical (heavy track maintenance equipment) means alone, which caused them to fall behind in the weed control battle.

Last year, the Alaska Railroad was able to use glyphosate along 25 miles of track between Seward and Indian, thanks to a limited herbicide use permit. In April 2009, a strong warning from the FRA had spurred ARRC to again apply for a permit. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation conducted a comprehensive permit process involving extended public comment and hearing. The ADEC is uniquely qualified to sift through opinions and facts to make a sound decision regarding safe and effective vegetation management.

ARRC funded independent, third-party research to answer questions regarding safety of herbicides. The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Alaska University Transportation Center (AUTC) recently provided local data for the ADEC to use in evaluating the safety and migration of the chemical. Details about the study are available at www.AlaskaRailroad.com.

The selected herbicide is AquaMaster, a glyphosate-based herbicide that is EPA-approved for use in and around water, similar to commonly used Roundup. Even so, the ADEC permit specifically calls for an ample buffer around all surface water bodies.

To recap the permit process and resulting actions: Environmental groups challenged the permit issued to Alaska Railroad in April 2010 by requesting a stay be issued by the ADEC Commissioner. The stay was rejected and ARRC applied glyphospate under permit in July 2010.

An administrative law judge (ALJ) rejected several of the environmental groups’ arguments regarding procedural and constitutional issues during appeal process between late 2010 into early 2011. The issues of health and safety were slated for a hearing in April 2011. In late-April 2011, the ADEC Commissioner approved the ALJ’s recommended decision and issued the final administrative decision upholding the permit.

An appeal from environmental groups seeks to overturn the decision on procedural and constitutional grounds.

"The Alaska Railroad must control vegetation for safe rail operations," said Alaska Railroad Chief Engineer Tom Brooks. "Herbicides are another tool in our tool box, along with mechanical and hand cutting, to effectively accomplish sufficient control."

 

DART, East Texas officials seek expanded rail connections

Representatives from Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority will work together to explore rail connections between North and East Texas. DART President/Executive Director Gary Thomas and Jeff Austin, chairman of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority signed an interlocal cooperation agreement marking the commitment.

The agreement recognizes the importance of coordinated transportation planning and advocacy as the two agencies work to expand rail in the area. Multi-jurisdictional cooperation is often cited by federal officials as a key to securing project funds. The agreement encourages the two agencies to identify "potential issues of mutual interest in the development of plans" for future rail service between the North Central, North East and East regions of Texas.

Information about the rail plans for the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority are available at www.NETRMA.org.

Washington utilities commission approves funds for four crossings

Washington state regulators approved funds to improve safety at three railroad crossings in Mason County, as well as a crossing in Columbia County.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) approved more than $15,000 to Simpson Timber Co. from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF) to upgrade warning devices at three grade crossings in the city of Shelton.

Simpson will replace flashing incandescent lights mounted on the cantilever with long-lasting, energy-efficient flashing LED lights, replace cross-buck signs, upgrade the power-off lights and install an electronic bell, which all improve visibility in bad weather.

The three railroad crossings to be improved are at the intersections of State Route 3 (SR-3) and First St., Railroad Ave. and Eleventh St. and Seventh St.

The upgrades must be completed by June 15. State funding from the GCPF will not exceed $15,446.70 for all three projects.

The UTC also approved funds to improve the safety at a railroad crossing in Columbia County.

Simpson Timber Co. will upgrade the warning signals and cross-buck signs at a grade crossing on Dayton/Airport Rd. in the city of Dayton.

The company will replace incandescent lights with energy-efficient, long-lasting type flashing lights, upgrade the power-off light and install an electronic bell all to improve visibility in bad weather.

The upgrades must be completed by June 15. State GCPF funding is limited to $4,756.90 for the project.

Amtrak completes Sedalia, Mo., improvement

Completion of a decade-long, $1.6 million match project to stabilize and improve a historic Missouri Pacific Railroad station – and make it more accessible for passengers with disabilities – is being celebrated by Amtrak and Sedalia Downtown Development Inc. (SDDI), with Septagon Construction and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

Amtrak passengers for the four daily Missouri River Runner trains now can use a platform compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and a just-renovated station waiting room.

The newly remodeled station on the north side of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks is better able to accommodate all passengers and features a new entrance and parking lot, with a modern waiting room and new restrooms.

The City of Sedalia and its residents contributed nearly a third of the project funds, funding also came from Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration funds administered by MoDOT. Other federal, Amtrak and MoDOT funds have also been provided to transform the building into an intermodal facility with OATS transit.

The Sedalia station has seen significant ridership growth, with a 12 percent increase since last September 11. Since the beginning of the Amtrak fiscal year on October 2010, Missouri River Runner ridership has risen by 15 percent, with a 20 percent jump last month.

RailComm

RailComm has provided a wireless remote control derail system at Amtrak’s Maintenance Facility in Los Angeles, Calif. Two customized local control panels, located within the maintenance building, provide wireless remote control to the derails. The panels include a keypad for advanced security and logging. The user is required to input a unique pass-code (PIN #) to operate the derail machines. All control panel operations are recorded and stored on a wirelessly-linked PC workstation. The data entries contain the name and trade of the operator, the nature of the operation and the date and time. The workstation allows supervisors, managers and other authorized personnel to review the operation logs and manage the system security.

House T&I Committee leaders want to privatize NEC

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-FL) and Rail Subcommittee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) announced at a Congressional hearing that they are preparing legislation they believe will speed up development of high-speed rail and reduce high taxpayer subsidization of the project. Their proposal would transfer development of the nation’s most congested corridor from Amtrak to private sector competition.

"We plan introduce legislation to separate the Northeast Corridor from Amtrak, transfer it to a separate entity and begin a competitive bidding process that would allow for a public-private partnership to design, build, operate, maintain and finance high-speed service. Our plan would do so in a dramatically shorter time, in closer to 10 rather than 30 years, and at a fraction of the $117 billion cost proposed by Amtrak, while creating new jobs," Mica said.

"We’ve tried it Amtrak’s way without success for nearly 40 years and it’s time to go down a new path and inject private sector competition," Shuster said. "It is time to deregulate America’s passenger rail system and the Northeast Corridor presents the best place to start with private investment and market-based ideas."

The Mica and Shuster proposal is being developed according to the following principles:

Ending the Amtrak monopoly

• Separates the NEC from Amtrak, spinning it off as a separate business unit

• Transfers the title for the NEC to a separate entity

Bringing competition and the private sector to the table

• Requires a competitive bidding process for the NEC

• Establishes performance standards for true high-speed rail with a requirement for service in less than two hours between Washington, D.C. and New York City

• Reduces and potentially eliminates the need for federal subsidies

The time is now

• Moves America forward in less than half the time as Amtrak’s proposal with firm deadlines for action

Creating jobs and worker protections

• Ensures labor protections are kept in place and provides for hiring preference to any potentially displaced Amtrak employees