LIRR to renew Atlantic Avenue grade crossing on Long Beach branch

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Island Rail Road is performing grade crossing renewal work on the Atlantic Avenue railroad grade crossing, on the LIRR’s Long Beach Branch in Oceanside.

The work will take place over two weekends, October 8 and 9 and October 15 and 16, and will require the closure of the road and a detour route. On the first weekend the north track will be completed. The second (or south track) will be done on the following weekend.

The crossing renewal work includes replacing the rubber crossing pads with longer lasting and smoother concrete crossing materials as well as rebuilding the track bed and replacing the wood track ties with longer lasting concrete track ties in the crossing area.

 

BART to solicit passenger input on late-night service proposal

Earlier this year, the Bay Area Rapid Transit Board of Directors delayed action on a slightly different demonstration program, which would have extended train service by one hour on Friday nights and started service one hour later on Saturday mornings. On June 23, 2011, the Board deferred taking action on the results of public input, from on-board surveys conducted on two Saturdays in May, 2011. Survey results indicated that the proposed change would have an adverse effect on early Saturday morning.

Because of the May 2011 survey results:

• BART is proposing to modify the proposed demonstration program by extending Friday night service by 30 minutes and delaying Saturday morning service by 20 minutes.

• BART will also survey early Saturday morning passengers to solicit input on whether proposed new bus service would adequately address any adverse effects experienced by early Saturday morning riders.

• On October 15, 2011 BART will conduct an on-board passenger survey to collect input on the proposal. The survey will take place on the trains whose service will be reduced or delayed, the first trains departing on Saturday morning.

The results of the survey data will be compiled and analyzed to determine if the proposal adequately addresses concerns of impacted riders. The public survey results will be presented to the Board on November 17, 2011. If approved, the demonstration program will be implemented in February 2012.

HRT launches e-Tide

Hampton Roads Transit in Norfolk, Va., launched an online ticket sales program that allows customers to buy round-trip tickets on The Tide from the comfort of home or on a smart phone.

The e-Tide Day Pass is the first time HRT has offered a program that allows valid tickets to be sent directly to an individual’s e-mail account. It promises to ease congestion at ticket vending machines at train platforms, especially during large public events when lines can delay travel.

"It is the 21st century and we want to make sensible use of 21st century technology," said Philip Shucet, president and CEO of HRT. "Not everyone wants to carry around cash just to buy a cardboard ticket. If our e-Tide Day Pass is successful, we’ll push online ticket sales out to the full suite of our transit services."

The service is now only available for use on The Tide. It does not apply to other HRT services.

By visiting gohrt.com and clicking on the e-Tide link, customers will be directed to TicketLeap.com, a website that hosts electronic ticket sales. Customers need only select the date of travel, the number of tickets needed and an e-mail address that will receive the tickets. Purchase is made by credit card. An email confirmation will be sent to a customer’s home computer or smart phone.

The electronic ticket contains confirmation codes, an individual’s name and date of travel. Customers who buy tickets this way may be asked by fare enforcement offers to provide identification that matches the name on the e-ticket. Customers can use a smart phone or a paper printout from a home computer as proof of purchase.

Axion wins SPE-GPEC environmental award

Axion International was selected as a winner of this year’s Environmental Stewardship Award from the Plastics Environmental Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers. This year’s awards will be presented at the SPE’s Global Plastics Environmental Conference in Atlanta, Ga.

There are a total of six winners of the national Environmental Stewardship Awards, which recognizes companies and institutions that have demonstrated environmental leadership and excellence. Axion was selected for developing high-performance composites from recovered polyolefins and applying them as structural parts that have been used in bridges, railroad ties and other structures that meet various commercial and military specifications.

"Axion is thrilled to be named as a winner of the Environmental Stewardship Awards," stated Axion Chief Technology Officer, Jim Kerstein. "We consider it an honor to represent the recycling industry as the SPE seeks to recognize us for the breakthrough work that we have achieved in the rail and bridge industries, as we have employed cutting-edge technology and engineering to pioneer a long-term and environmentally-friendly solution to existing infrastructure issues. We believe the strides Axion has made in the recycled composites industry are an example of what can be achieved when private industry works with governmental and academic sources to develop innovative solutions."

Presentations for the Environmental Stewardship Awards will take place during SPE’s GPEC 2011 in Atlanta, Ga. on October 18th, 2011.

Savage begins rail service at El Dorado Railport

Savage Companies started operations of its new multi-user El Dorado Railport located in El Dorado, Kan. The terminal is served by BNSF and was developed as part of the BNSF Assess, Improve and Maximize (AIM) initiative, which optimizes local operations to maximize supply chain throughput. The Railport currently provides daily rail service and car storage to HollyFrontier’s El Dorado refinery.

"This facility will help streamline service and increase capacity in the area," said Dave Garin, BNSF Industrial Products Group vice president. "We are proud to have worked with Savage to develop the El Dorado Railport and look forward to continuing to work with Savage and to serving this facility."

The Transload Facility is located along the south side of the HollyFrontier Refinery and is currently transloading crude oil. However, as a multi-commodity transload, the facility is available to all customers in Butler and other surrounding counties that are interested in taking advantage of rail transport economics.

The Grand Opening of the new Savage El Dorado Railport is scheduled for Thursday, October 13, 2011, at 3050 SW Haverhill Road in El Dorado, Kan.

"The Savage El Dorado Railport is the result of true collaboration with BSNF and HollyFrontier Corporation," said Allen Alexander, CEO of Savage. "We’re looking forward to creating that same type of synergy with other members of the business community in South Central Kansas."

CTA faces $277 million deficit in 2012

The Chicago Transit Authority faces a $277 million budget deficit for 2012, the result of skyrocketing labor costs and an end to years of borrowing. The CTA’s current operating budget is $1.35 billion.

Citing archaic and expensive work rules, dramatically escalating pension and health care mandates and the highest cost-adjusted rail and bus operator salaries in the nation, Claypool said current CTA labor costs are unsustainable.

Noting that the CTA has borrowed $554 million in the past four years to cover operating deficits, despite a 2009 fare hike and 2010 service cuts, Claypool said it was time to deal with these challenges and make decisions that will fix the CTA’s broken fiscal system.

"We can’t defer the hard decisions any longer. The CTA’s cost structure is too high given the revenues and tax receipts we have to operate it," Claypool said. "Changes are needed now to shore up the CTA’s fiscal situation. A robust, modern transit system is not just important to transit riders. It is important to the livability of the region and its ability to attract jobs and businesses. An investment in transit is an investment in the future of this region."

The financial crisis affecting the CTA has taken years to develop, Claypool said, and has its roots in funding formulas that shortchange the agency, a neglected infrastructure and a growing list of expensive state and federal mandates.

But the biggest contributing factor has been unrestrained wage and benefit growth in labor agreements, even during the Great Recession and a plethora of arcane work rules that cost the agency tens of millions annually, Claypool said.

Despite the shortfalls and in the absence of funding that would allow it to implement more sweeping changes, CTA is making improvements to its infrastructure and safety to ensure that the customer experience remains a good one.

Two weeks ago, CTA announced a program called "Station Renewal" that involves the cleaning and repair of 100 rail stations over the next 12 months and last week, the agency unveiled the new LED signs that will bring Bus Tracker to 400 bus shelters across the city.

Claypool also announced in July that 50 new, full-time police officers will be patrolling the CTA in 2012 and that CTA is doubling the number of security cameras along the system from 1,500 to 3,000 by year’s end.

"As we work through the many challenges that exist today and that lay ahead, we know that mass transit can help create more jobs, stronger neighborhoods, improve property values and provide a better quality of life. It is imperative that we address the challenges before us so that the CTA remains a strong and vital part of our city and region," Claypool said.

Nova Scotia extends rail funding agreement

Nova Scotia, Canada, extended the current rail funding agreement with the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway.

Funding to maintain the line will continue for an additional three years, ensuring CBNS Railway will offer service through Sept. 30, 2014.

"This rail line is vital for keeping shipping costs low and helping Cape Breton businesses remain competitive in the global marketplace," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "Our investment will preserve a key piece of transportation infrastructure for the future of the region."

Under the agreement, RailAmerica-operated CBNS can continue to access up to $2 million annually for working capital and maintenance costs.

"We value our customers and the long-standing partnership we’ve had with the province," said John Giles, RailAmerica president and chief executive officer. "RailAmerica shares the province’s interest in growing freight-rail opportunities."

Senior provincial representatives will continue to work with RailAmerica to explore sustainable economic opportunities for the rail line.

CSX hosts inaugural Bioenergy Summit

Industry leaders from around the world attended CSX Corporation’s 2011 Bioenergy Summit, engaging in three days of talks designed to better understand the opportunities and challenges of this emerging market and its role in providing renewable energy.

"Our goal for the Bioenergy Summit was to stimulate a conversation among the leaders in the green energy sphere and prepare for the future," said Kyle Hancock Jr., vice president, sales and marketing, CSX. "At CSX, we are committed to providing efficient, environmentally friendly transportation and part of that dedication involves engaging our customers in dialogue about these key issues and working together to facilitate growth in the bioenergy market."

CSX is actively involved in the transportation of biomass used for energy production. Biomass is any plant or animal substance that is sustainable and renewable. Examples are wide-ranging and include recovered wood and paper, food crop residues, plant and animal waste and any woody, herbaceous or agricultural byproduct, including substances like distillers dried grains, a byproduct of ethanol production.

One example of a renewable energy product that CSX currently ships is pelletized wood from yellow pine trees. The company is part of the supply chain that efficiently transports these pellets to East Coast ports for export to a number of European markets where renewable fuels are used.

Held in Amelia Island, Fla., the Bioenergy Summit focused on supply chain challenges, energy portfolio transformation and regulatory updates.

UTU reaches tentative agreement with Texas shortline

The United Transportation Union reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement with Texas shortline Western Rail Road on behalf of train, engine and mechanical workers who now will vote on ratification.

The negotiations were led by UTU General Chairperson Doyle Turner, who heads the UTU’s shortline outreach program.

Western Rail Road employees selected the UTU as their collective bargaining agent in February after meeting with UTU organizers Rich Ross and Mike Lewis.

This tentative agreement, as with others negotiated with shortlines, is intended "to bring parity in wages, benefits and work rules to the thousands of employees in the shortline railroad industry, along with the many other protections offered by union membership," Turner said. "The seniority, scope and discipline rules these members now enjoy are what makes union membership valuable."

UP’s Barry Michaels awarded IANA Silver Kingpin

Barry Michaels, vice president of intermodal operations at Union Pacific, is the winner of the prestigious 2011 Intermodal Association of North America Silver Kingpin Award. Michaels will receive the award on November 14 during the Opening General Session of the 2011 IANA Intermodal Expo at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. The Silver Kingpin Award recognizes individuals for their significant, long-term contributions to the intermodal industry.

The IANA Awards Committee recognized Michaels for a lifetime of tireless work as an intermodal advocate, serving twice as IANA’s chair, seven years as chair of the IANA Operations Committee and 14 years on the Intermodal Interchange Executive Committee. He was instrumental in the development of recommended practices to facilitate implementation of the Federal roadability rule, and is seen by many as the force behind the roadability compliance effort for all Class 1 railroads.

"Barry is unique in his ability to put the industry and IANA ahead of any parochial interests," said IANA Chairman Steve Rubin. "His knowledge and determination have served him well and it is my honor, as IANA’s chairman, to be able to recognize his career contributions by presenting him with this year’s Silver Kingpin Award."

 

NRC adds grassroots coordinator to team

National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association, Inc., hired Tabitha Layman as grassroots coordinator. Many will get the chance to meet Tabitha over the coming months and at the next NRC Conference, which is January 4-7, 2012, at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, Calif.

Tabitha joins the NRC with professional expertise in political broadcasting, campaign operations, federal legislative and policy issues and association government affairs management.

As grassroots coordinator, Tabitha will take the lead on a new NRC initiative to arrange visits by congressmen, senators, governors, etc., to NRC member facilities and work sites. She will be encouraging all NRC member companies to become more active politically by using our grassroots communication tools and will work to make this happen effectively.

Tabitha will also work with Matt Ginsberg, NRC director of operations, and Chuck Baker, NRC president, to provide assistance to NRC members regarding membership services, conference planning, merchandise fulfillment and website updating and maintenance.

New Jersey will repay canceled ARC Tunnel money

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed an agreement with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for the state to reimburse the federal government $95 million for money that was supposed to be spent building the ARC Tunnel. New Jersey terminated the project and the Department has been seeking repayment of $271 million in federal dollars spent by the state on the project.

The $95 million settlement will permit the Department of Transportation to recover all of the $51 million in New Starts money provided to New Jersey for the ARC Project, so that those funds can be made available to other communities for public transit projects. This amount also recovers approximately 50 percent of the funds provided to New Jersey under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and this money will be returned to the United States Treasury. In addition to the cash payment amount, New Jersey will be required under the terms of the settlement agreement to spend more than $128 million in CMAQ program funds on transit-related projects that have been reviewed and approved by U.S. DOT.

"We appreciate the support and encouragement of Senators Lautenberg and Menendez in reaching an agreement that is good for the taxpayers of New Jersey but also helps to improve infrastructure in the state," Secretary LaHood said. "I thank the governor and his legal team for reaching this agreement."

 

Michigan’s Lt. Gov. Calley O.K.’s funds for accelerated rail project

Michigan will be able to move forward with a planned accelerated rail project under legislation signed by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley.

Senate Bill 237, sponsored by Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Kahn, allocates funds needed to purchase and improve a 135-mile rail line from Kalamazoo to Dearborn, which will allow passage of freight trains and speeds of up to 110 miles per hour for passenger trains.

"The accelerated rail project is a critical investment that will help spur our economy," Calley said. "Michigan’s project share is less than five percent, meaning this is a tremendous deal for our state that will boost our economic development efforts and improve quality of life in our communities."

Article V Section 26 of the Michigan Constitution gives authority to the lieutenant governor when the governor is outside the state. The governor is on a trade mission to Asia until Saturday.

Pennsylvania

U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a $40 million grant to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to eliminate delays in and out of Harrisburg on Amtrak’s Keystone Corridor. The project consists of replacing aging track and signals with modern technologies.

The U.S. DOT had previously funded $23 million to the Keystone Corridor to improve safety and allow future train speeds to increase from 110 mph to 125 mph.

The Keystone corridor operates between New York, Philadelphia and Harrisburg and is Amtrak’s fourth most heavily traveled route. Since train speeds along the route were increased to 110 mph in 2006, ridership has grown by more than 37 percent to 1,227,075 passengers in 2010.

TranSystems names Rock Midwest Region VP

TranSystems, promoted Timothy P. Rock to regional vice president of the company’s Midwest Region. Rock, a firm principal, has been with TranSystems for 14 years, serving in a number of progressively diverse roles in the company, most recently director of operations. He is a leader in the firm’s Kansas City rail team, working with many of the nation’s Class 1 railroads.

"Tim has established himself as a leader in not only his office but in the region and the company," said Paul Malir, president and COO of TranSystems. "I am excited to have this team in place to move forward."

Rock will assume complete leadership of the region, responsible for all aspects, from business development efforts in the Midwest Region, executing marketing-driven national strategies, to the day-to-day operating functions.

He is a member of the American Railway Engineering & Maintenance-of-Way Association, Construction Management Association of America and the Society of American Military Engineers.

Amtrak’s San Joaquin Corridor reaches more than a million riders

Amtrak California’s San Joaquin corridor has set a new record, its first million passenger year. This is the first time ridership topped a million on the route, the fifth busiest in Amtrak’s nationwide system.

Operating between Oakland, Sacramento and Bakersfield, Calif., with bus service to Los Angeles and other points, the San Joaquin carried more than a million passengers in the state’s fiscal year that ended in June 2011, a 6.7 percent increase over the previous year. It also had the highest ridership of any month in its 37-year history, 103,933 riders in July 2011.

Moreover, annual ridership for the three state-supported routes, the San Joaquin, Pacific Surfliner and Capitol Corridor, collectively exceeded all annual ridership records to date. The three routes carried a combined 5,458,788 passengers, an increase of 6.1 percent over the previous year.

The San Joaquin corridor’s one millionth passenger, Denora Gagaza, of Riverbank, Stanislaus County, Calif., was recognized by the San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee, on September 29, at the Sacramento Valley train station. Gagaza takes the San Joaquin from Modesto some 30 times a year to visit friends and family throughout the state. She received tickets for a complimentary trip to Denver on Amtrak’s California Zephyr, courtesy of Amtrak.

"She is a perfect ambassador for this route," said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "We are delighted more passengers are experiencing the benefits of Amtrak California trains."

Caltrans believes the increased ridership can be attributed to a combination of lower fares, better customer service, station enhancements, security and parking improvements and greater public awareness through a sustained, well-crafted marketing campaign.

"The success of this corridor is a result of Amtrak’s strong partnership with state of California," said Emmett Fremaux, Amtrak vice president of marketing and product development. "Working with Caltrans, Amtrak has implemented the improvements to the service that have helped boost ridership throughout the region."

 

Railway-bear conflict mitigation symposium underway in Canada

Gathering together some of North America’s leading bear and transportation experts, the Government of Canada and Canadian Pacific launched the first Railway-Bear Conflict Mitigation Symposium in Banff National Park, AB, Canada. Complementing the five-year Joint Action Plan announced last fall, the symposium will be an incentive for attendees to augment the draft research plan to further mitigate rail-related bear mortality in Banff and Yoho National Parks.

"The grizzly bear is an internationally recognized icon of Canada and our national parks," said Minister Kent, Canada’s environment minister and minister responsible for Parks Canada. "Through the Joint Action Plan, we are committed to finding solutions to ensure grizzly bears remain on the Rocky Mountain landscape. In connecting with leading bear and transportation experts, we are taking an encouraging step towards the realization of our goal."

Over the past 20 years, Parks Canada has reduced bear mortality related to human interaction on highways and within town sites through strategic mitigation actions. This symposium will provide a platform to share information and solicit input from experts with varied knowledge and perspectives. These specialists can help further the development of a credible scientific research program related to rail-specific solutions.

"Because we take the issue of grizzly health so seriously, we have brought together some of North America’s biggest and brightest subject experts to help us with our goal," said Blake Richards. "Working with partners is one of many examples how we, as Canadians, are able to implement concrete actions to better protect Canada’s natural habitats and wildlife."

In October, symposium participants and other interested parties will have the opportunity to submit proposals for consideration as part of the $1-million, CP-supported, research plan. This winter, a CP-Parks Canada selection committee will vet submissions and announce successful projects for spring/summer 2012 implementation. Projects will be tested and supported by robust monitoring to determine effectiveness.

Over the summer, as part of other potential mitigation measures identified under the Joint Action Plan, Parks Canada and CP have used selected portions of the railway throughout Banff National Park as a living laboratory. Test initiatives, supported by research plans, include on-track structures such as peg boards to discourage bears from using the tracks as an escape path, strategic vegetation management and electro-mats which are being tested to support potential fencing structures.

 

Koppers signs three-year contract with CSX for joint bars

Koppers Inc. and CSX Transportation Inc. agreed to a three-year contract for bonded rail joint assemblies. The total value of the bonded rail joint assembly contract is estimated at $12-$13 million over the three-year period.

Koppers will produce the bonded rail joint assemblies for CSX at its Huntington, W.V., facility, which was acquired in December 2010 from Portec Rail Products Inc.

"We are very pleased to be able to sign this contract for our new business and continue to expand our relationship with a highly-valued customer like CSX," said Walter Turner, president and chief executive officer of Koppers.

Austin’s Capital Metro Board approves 2012 budget

The Austin, Texas, Capital Metro Board of Directors adopted a $172.9 million operating budget, a $20.6 million capital budget and $13.1 million for long-term commitments and interlocal agreements for fiscal year 2012, which begins Oct. 1.

Although Capital Metro is projecting a three percent increase in sales tax revenue next year, the transit agency projects a decrease in all other revenues, including federal funding. Nonetheless, Capital Metro has adopted a $206.6 million balanced budget that maintains comparable bus and rail service without a fare increase.

Capital Metro has taken many steps to improve the budget development and reporting process in order to strengthen its business practices and transparency. These actions include beginning the budget process two months earlier, linking the budget to new and improved financial policies and providing the board and public more comprehensive information and opportunities for feedback than ever before.

The FY2012 operating budget:

• Projects a three percent increase in sales tax revenue, $153.2 million
• Maintains rail service levels (weekday service and four Friday nights and three weekend days for special events)
• Freezes administrative employee salaries; includes salary step increases for bargaining employees based on seniority and certifications per labor agreement
• Keeps current on ongoing commitments to local entities
• Budgets fuel for the year at $3.50 gallon; plans to hedge 10 percent of fuel consumption

The FY2012 capital budget:

• Continues implementation of the MetroRapid project, using $7.3 million in federal grant funding and $1.8 million in local funds
• Continues implementation of the Intelligent Transportation System with $1.6 million in federal funding and $402,000 in local funds
• Allocates $719,900 to continuing replacement of the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for MetroAccess

Capital Metro is also seeking alternative funding sources through competitive grants and transportation development credits that could be used for additional capital projects.

Capital Metro has budgeted to use $0.5 million from reserves, in order to balance the budget in the first few months of FY2012. The agency plans to refinance the rail car lease in January 2012, in which it will realize savings that will be placed back into reserves.

"Developing this budget was no easy task," said Linda Watson, Capital Metro president and CEO, "We have made some difficult, but necessary decisions to improve Capital Metro’s financial sustainability. I’m proud of our board, staff and the community for coming together to diligently create a balanced budget that maintains similar levels of service."
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Oregon intercity passenger rail projects receive $13.6 million

The Federal Railroad Administration awarded a $13.6 million grant to the Oregon Department of Transportation to modernize the Portland Union Station, upgrade passenger rail service along Amtrak’s Cascades route and continue further development of an integrated, statewide rail network.
 


"These investments will improve passenger and freight rail service in Oregon," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "By providing more efficient and reliable rail service, we are building a stronger economic future."
 


A highlight of the rail dollars provided includes: 
 


• $4 million to fund preliminary engineering and environmental work for track replacement and expansion, facility upgrades to comply with the Americans with Disability Act, as well as energy conservation measures at Portland Union Station. These improvements will reduce train station congestion and accommodate forecasted increases in passenger service. ODOT will contribute $1 million to this project.

• $1.3 million to support final design and construction of additional work on the station’s roof and other structural upgrades, coupled with a $5.9 million grant previously awarded by FRA for roof replacement. On top of additional roof replacement and seismic upgrades, work will also include replacing gutters, downspouts, repairing skylights and windows and insulation in the attic.

• $4.2 million for a draft and final environmental work and service planning to identify improvements for the Cascades route from Eugene to Portland, Ore. ODOT will contribute $5.8 million for this phase of the project.

 

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