News and Opinion

LACMTA adopts Arbor Vitae/Bellanca location for maintenance facility, eases rules for peak-hour bike

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors adopted the Arbor Vitae/Bellanca location in Los Angeles as the Locally Preferred Alternative maintenance facility site for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor.

The Arbor/Vitae/Bellanca is a 17.6-acre site located in the City of Los Angeles and is bounded by Arbor Vitae Street to the north, Neutrogena Corporation to the west and the Harbor Subdivision railroad right-of-way to the east.

The development of a new maintenance facility is necessary since it will be used to store, maintain, repair and clean light rail vehicles.

The maintenance facility site will serve the Metro Green Line, Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor, South Bay Metro Green Line Extension and the Metro Green Line to LAX projects.

The LPA maintenance site will be incorporated into the Final Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report, which is tentatively scheduled for final approval by the Board in July 2011.

The Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor is an 8.5-mile light rail line that will extend from the intersection of Exposition and Crenshaw Boulevards to the Metro Green Line. The project will serve the cities of Los Angeles, Inglewood, Hawthorne, El Segundo and portions of the unincorporated Los Angeles County and is funded by Measure R.

Additionally, LACMTA approved a staff recommendation to remove peak-hour restrictions for bicycles on the Metro Rail system and authorized the removal of seats to better accommodate bicycles and other large items, moves that will help make bicycles a more viable alternative mode of transportation throughout L.A. County.

LACMTA Bikes on Rail policy previously prohibited bikes from being taken on board Metro Blue, Gold, Red and Green Line trains in certain directions of travel between the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and in all directions within L.A.’s Central Business District during those hours.

The Board also authorized the phased-in removal of seats on the Metro Gold, Green and Blue Line trains. Seats on the Metro Red/Purple Line have already been removed.

To accommodate a greater numbers of bicycle customers as well as regular transit customers, LACMTA plans to increase the frequency and capacity of its rail services as seats are removed.
LACMTA will amend its Customer Code of Conduct, which goes into effect July 1, 2011, to be consistent with the revised policy.

 

WMATA adjusts FY12 budget

Washington Metropolitain Area Transit Authority has adjusted next fiscal year’s budget to reflect an improvement of $6 million, based on nine months of actual spending data, job growth forecasts and rising gas prices, which support conservative ridership growth projections. 



The revised FY 2012 budget means that WMATA expects its operating expenses to be $2 million less than the FY12 budget originally proposed in January, or essentially flat. The update also includes a revised request for an increase in operating subsidies from the jurisdictions, from the original request of $72 million, down to $66 million. 



The budget proposal does not include fare increases or major service cuts and incorporates $74.2 million in operating cost reductions. To provide the revised level of support, the Board has a number of options to consider, including the request for $66 million in additional jurisdiction subsidies. 



Those alternatives include monetizing certain ground leases, budgeting preventive maintenance at FY 2011 levels, adjusting reserve for wages, as well as realigning certain bus services and changing the frequency of late-night, weekend rail service. 





The Board is slated to act on the FY 2012 budget in June, and any service changes they adopt would take effect September 2011. 



 

MARTA proposed FY12 budget includes fare increase

The Metropolitain Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Board has released a proposed Fiscal Year 2012 Operating Budget of $413.76 million, a Capital Budget totaling $185.5 million and $143.7 million in debt service.

The proposal, which will be presented at a series of public hearings on May 16 and 17, 2011, is focused on maintaining MARTA’s long-term financial sustainability, preserving transit service and state-of-good-repair, enhancing some bus routes and implementing new security initiatives.

External recommendations include a base fare increase from $2.00 to $2.50, with weekly and monthly pass price increases. In addition, the proposal includes the continuation of staggered increases for mobility base fare, reduced fare and mobility passes as indicated in the previous, FY 2010 base fare increase. Mobility base fare, reduced fare and mobility passes will not be impacted by the proposed FY 2012 base fare increase.

Internal recommendations in the proposed budget include no annual merit or wage increases for non-represented and represented employees, which would be the fourth year in a row.

The Authority’s finances have been negatively impacted by the overall economic downturn. With no new funding sources on the horizon this fiscal year, MARTA is proposing these changes now to avoid any additional service cuts and to ensure metro Atlanta’s prospects for expanded regional transit in the future.

If approved by the Board of Directors as part of the FY 2012 budget, fare changes would take effect October 2, 2011.

Copies of the proposed budget, fare changes and service modifications are available for review on the MARTA website www.itsmarta.com.

The MARTA Board of Directors will vote on the final budget on June 6, 2011.

NS supports Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee storm recovery

Norfolk Southern is supporting relief efforts in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, three of the states hardest hit by severe storms the week of April 25.

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at NS are with our employees, neighbors and business partners who have been affected by these terrible storms," said CEO Wick Moorman. "Weather may be unpredictable, but what is certain is that in its wake all of us will pull together to recover and rebuild."

Norfolk Southern’s contributions will include $100,000 to the American Red Cross in each of the three states, free rail transportation for movement of certain critical response supplies and zero-interest loans for employees who suffered property damage.

Norfolk Southern has 3,600 employees in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee and operates over 2,400 miles of railroad there.

 

UPDS achieves top score for EPA’s SmartWay Transport Program

Union Pacific Distribution Services earned the Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay Transport program’s highest score, joining the ranks of exceptional environmental performers dedicated to energy efficiency and air quality.

SmartWay Transport is a collaborative effort between the EPA and the freight sector designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions and improve energy security. Companies that participate in SmartWay Transport programs save money, reduce fuel consumption and are recognized for their social responsibility and leadership.

"Increasingly, customers are considering fuel economy and environmental impact when making logistics provider decisions," said Brad Thrasher, UPDS assistant vice president and general manager. "This certification shows our dedication to environmental stewardship and providing the best value for our customers."

UPDS became a SmartWay Transportation Partner in 2008 and a SmartWay Transport provider since 2005, achieving the program’s top score in 2006 and retaining it each year since. Partner ratings are calculated by various fuel-efficiency and emission control technologies, policies and fleet strategies.

Invensys recognized for PATH re-signaling project

The Software Engineering Institute of Carnegie Mellon University has appraised Invensys Rail Corp. at a Capability Maturity Model Integration Level 2 for work the company is performing for the Port Authority Trans-Hudson transit system.

CMMI Level 2 is an internationally recognized assessment process developed by SEI that provides a framework of best practices to guide an organization to improve quality, system engineering and project management through the use of reliable and repeatable processes. Invensys Rail is part of a consortium with Siemens Mobility and D. A. Builders, LLC, to design and install a new train control system on the PATH rail transit network.

NS begins construction on $105 million Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility

Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman and Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam joined state and local dignitaries and business and community leaders at the groundbreaking for the new Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility in Rossville, Tenn. The $105 million facility is part of the multi-state $2.5 billion Crescent Corridor initiative to establish an efficient, high-capacity intermodal freight rail route between the South and the Northeast on Norfolk Southern’s rail network.

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. and Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited sign services agreement

Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s subsidiary, Western Labrador Rail Services, has entered into a long-term rail services agreement with Labrador Iron Mines Limited, a subsidiary of Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited. Under the terms of the Agreement, WLRS will operate LIM’s newly constructed six-kilometer (3.8-mile) railway, which connects LIM’s Silver Yards processing facility in western Labrador to Tshiuetin Rail Transportation Inc.’s privately-owned rail line that runs from Schefferville, Quebec to Emeril Junction, Quebec.

WLRS will provide and operate up to five locomotives that will also be used by TSH to haul unit trains of iron ore to Emeril Junction. The iron ore will then travel over a third privately-owned railway to port facilities in Sept-Iles on the St. Lawrence River for export to the seaborne iron ore market. Operations are expected to begin in May 2011.

Study shows economic benefits of HSR in the Midwest

A high-speed rail system serving all major metropolitan areas within 350-450 miles of Chicago could result in significant ridership, economic development and job creation, according to a study done by the Midwest High-Speed Rail Association, with Siemens, who sponsored the study and research partners AECOM and the Economic Development Research Group.

The study, titled "The Economic Impacts of High Speed Rail: Transforming the Midwest," highlights the following possibilities:

• An estimated 43 million annual riders from 13 cities and major metropolitan areas

• More than $2.2 billion annually in user-generated revenues

• 25 daily departures on each of the four corridors

• Capacity for up to 10 trains in peak hours on each corridor

• 2-3 hour travel times between Chicago and the furthest points of the network

• 104,000 new jobs and an additional $5.5 billion in wages each year in the Chicago Metro area resulting from increased economic development

• $13.8 billion per-year increase in business sales for the Chicago Metro area alone


"We believe that a high-speed rail system will unify the Midwest and solidify its future position as one the world’s most powerful economies," said Richard Harnish, executive director, Midwest High-Speed Rail Association. "The economic impact of the 220-mph network in the Midwest would be staggering. In the Chicago area alone, it would create thousands of new jobs and business opportunities that will support and enhance the Chicago metropolitan area’s global competitiveness."

AECOM and EDRG researched a system that would serve all major metropolitan areas within 350 to 450 miles of Chicago. This region would be served by a four-spoke network, with Chicago at the center of corridors connecting to Cleveland/Detroit, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Trains would operate at 220-mph on dedicated track with no grade crossings.

"Siemens has seen first hand the positive impact high-speed rail has had on communities around the world," said Oliver Hauck, president, Mobility Division, Siemens Industry, Inc. "The new jobs added in the Chicago Metro Area alone as a result of a high-speed rail network and transit-oriented development represent $118 billion in wages over 30 years, and the new business sales generated are estimated to be almost $300 billion over 30 years."

The purpose of this study is to provide a roadmap for implementing high-speed rail in the Midwest. It describes the steps needed to make this vision a reality and the potential economic benefits for each of the other cities on the system and the region as a whole, while illustrating how high-speed rail could help to transform economies of the Midwest.

 

FRA awards Caltrans $100 million

The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded the California Department of Transportation $100 million to purchase new equipment on Amtrak California trains that service the San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner rail corridors.

"California has seen a 60 percent increase in ridership in the last decade on the San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner corridors," said Caltrans Director Cindy McKim. "This grant will allow us to meet the growing needs of rail passengers in California and continue providing an alternate choice for travel in the state."

This award will allow Caltrans to add to its current fleet and address future growth in Amtrak California rail travel. The new bi-level equipment includes 27 new cars of which nine will replace single-level equipment used on the Pacific Surfliner and 18 will allow for growth on both the San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner corridors.

The grant was funded through federal fiscal year 2010 appropriations provided for high-speed and intercity passenger rail. This project is the first to be authorized under the Next Generation design standards in the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA), which were developed to primarily promote the creation of a pool of standardized equipment for Amtrak and the states to use in various state-sponsored rail corridors.

UP to spend $33 million for track improvements in Missouri, Wyoming

Union Pacific will continue improving Wyoming and Missouri’s transportation infrastructure with a nearly $33 million investment to enhance rail lines that run from near Medicine Bow to Walcott in Wyoming and St. Louis to near Morrison in Missouri.

The more than 32-mile project in Wyoming includes removing and installing more than 20,000 ties, renewing the surfaces at five road crossings and replacing nearly two miles of rail in various curves. Crews will also spread 43,700 tons of ballast to ensure a stable roadbed.

For Missouri, more than 52 miles of new rail will be installed, surfaces at 54 road crossings will be replaced and more than one mile of rail in various curves will be upgraded. Crews will also replace five switches.

NCDOT awards $2 million to nine shortlines for maintenance

The North Carolina Board of Transportation has awarded nearly $2 million in state funds to nine small freight railroads through the Short Line Infrastructure Assistance Program. The grants will be used to help with track and bridge maintenance and other improvements.

"These grants will retain jobs and support economic development in rural areas," Transportation Secretary Gene Conti said. "At the same time, the grants will help modernize the state’s rail system and bring about improved capacity, reliability and safety."

SIAP’s focus is to help shortlines maintain and improve their tracks and better serve industries in primarily rural areas. The money will be used to assist nine railroads that will directly benefit 20 counties serving 62 companies. The money is a part of a public-private partnership, with at least 50 percent coming from the shortline railroad companies.

"Shortline railroads connect our shippers with the national rail network," said Andrew Perkins, chair of the Board of Transportation’s Rail Subcommittee. "They ensure that our industries can receive raw materials and ship products across the country."

State SIAP funds are appropriated by the N.C. General Assembly on a year-by-year basis. These grant funds are not automatically recurring.

NS receives its 11th TRANSCAER Award

Norfolk Southern Corporation has earned the TRANSCAER (Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response) National Achievement Award for 2010. This is the 11th time, and the ninth consecutive year, that Norfolk Southern has earned the award that recognizes extraordinary achievement in support of efforts to prepare communities to respond to a possible hazardous materials transportation incident.

In 2010, Norfolk Southern held multiple large-scale training events in Asheville, N.C.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Johnson City, Morristown and Martin, Tenn.; Mobile, McIntosh, Selma, Jasper and Muscle Shoals, Ala.; and Rural Retreat, Va. Along with other Norfolk Southern TRANSCAER events throughout the year, these training events reached out to 92 cities and counties in adjoining states and resulted in the training of 4,890 emergency responders.

Norfolk Southern chose the training locations based on key hazardous materials routes as well as requests from shippers of hazardous materials and local emergency responders. Training events included classroom instruction, hands-on training and table-top and actual drills.

RSI suggests changes to “Buy America” program in white paper

In a white paper published today, "Rail Supply Innovation and Buy America Requirements," the Railway Supply Institute, a trade association representing the rail supply industry, recommended three sweeping changes to current U.S. Buy-America provisions and funding for transit, high-speed and intercity passenger rail that it says will ensure increased domestic content for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded projects.

"RSI has been a strong supporter of Buy America regulations and helped develop current federal Buy America policies for Amtrak and transit. Buy America has helped preserve a domestic passenger railway manufacturing industry that was in danger of disappearing in the mid-20th Century." said Tom Simpson, president of RSI.

However, in order to meet the stringent ARRA Buy America requirements, RSI supports the following:

• Long-term dedicated sources of funding for high-speed and intercity passenger rail through a menu of options.

• Clarification of Buy America standards by streamlining the particular differences among provisions specific to Buy America, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Railroad Administration and ARRA funds.

• A Department of Transportation National Rail Plan that supports the U.S. passenger rail equipment manufacturing industry through a vision for sustained equipment purchases and equipment life-cycle policies that avoid "boom or bust" procurement cycles.

RSI’s white paper is posted on its website at www.rsiweb.org.

ARG Trans to bring rail service back to Coos Bay, Oregon

ARG Trans has been selected by the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay as the preferred operator for the 133-mile Coos Bay rail line. The Port has begun negotiating a contract or lease agreement with ARG Trans to operate trains and maintain the rail line.

The former Central Oregon and Pacific track has been closed since 2007 and was purchased by the Port in 2009. The line will operate as the Coos Bay Rail Link (CBRL) and is undergoing nearly $24 million in repairs to upgrade the line from 10 mph to between 25 and 40 mph. Partial service is expected to resume this summer with full operation this fall.

"ARG Trans is excited to work with the Port to bring rail service back to the region," said ARG Trans President Scott Parkinson. "Restoring rail access to businesses in Lane, Douglas and Coos counties will provide business development opportunities that will result in local jobs and economic improvement. We will work with all stakeholders to ensure that the Coos Bay Rail Link is a positive addition to the community."

The railroad’s chief sources of traffic are agricultural chemicals, feed grains and building products.

Parkinson said, "Partnering with the Port is in keeping with ARG Trans’ strategy of focusing management attention on business opportunities that have significant growth potential. Our team of rail experts will work with the Port to develop a railroad that is safe, efficient and environmentally responsible."

HDR|iTRANS providing planning, design services for Bramalea Gateway Hub

HDR|iTRANS has been hired to provide transit planning, transportation planning and design services for Bramalea Gateway Hub in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. The firm has been tasked with assessing existing conditions; identifying improvements to the station area and adjacent transportation network and proposing a design concept for the station property and immediate vicinity that addresses short-term requirements while considering medium- and long-term needs.

By 2031, Bramalea Gateway Hub will be a major transit hub in Brampton and the northwest Greater Toronto Area, with a forecasted increase in morning peak period boardings of 360 percent. The transformation of the current GO Station that provides 2,000 parking stalls and facilitates GO Transit’s commuter rail service will be driven by multiple investments in rapid transit. GO Transit will increase commuter rail service from current peak period, peak direction service to all-day, two-way service.

In anticipation of the launch of Steeles Zum in 2012, the client team of Metrolinx, GO Transit, the City of Brampton, Brampton Transit and the Region of Peel require improvements to the surrounding transportation network and the station itself to facilitate these connections and to provide safe and easy pedestrian, cycling and auto access.

 

Axion secures $7.6 million financing for capacity growth

Axion International, producer of industrial building products and railroad ties made from 100 percent recycled plastic, has closed $7.6 million in financing to support continued growth of its Recycled Structural Composite technology. The funds were raised as part of a private placement of its 10 percent convertible preferred stock that closed April 21, 2011.

"Axion is pleased to announce the close of our latest financing," said Steve Silverman, Axion’s CEO. "The funds raised allow Axion to grow our company in critical areas such as raw material sourcing infrastructure, manufacturing capacity, staffing and sales growth. The financing will allow Axion to implement strategies for continued R&D, as well as structural testing of our materials for use in other applications."

Silverman continued, "We have an immediate need to expand capacity in order to meet existing orders as well as our growing pipeline of pending business opportunities. Top line revenue, along with our active pipeline, has been increasing since January so now that we are freshly capitalized I am confident we will be able to support a higher level of strategic growth initiatives in the remainder of 2011 and beyond."

Perry Jacobson, Axion’s chairman of the Board, commented, "I am extremely enthusiastic about Axion’s growth prospects in the recycling arena and believe this is a great opportunity to participate in a unique venture at the intersection of ‘green’ technology and enhanced infrastructure solutions."

Twin Cities

Minnesotans will soon have the option of taking light-rail transit along the 11-mile Central Corridor that links the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the region, thanks to a $474 million funding agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council.

"With gas prices at record levels, President Obama has put forward a
comprehensive plan to protect families and businesses from the ups and
downs of energy costs," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
"Our investments in this critical transit link between the Twin Cities
will cut travel costs for consumers, and help create a cleaner, greener
way to get from one place to another."

Federal Transit
Administrator Peter Rogoff was joined by Metropolitan Council officials
and local leaders this morning to take part in a ceremony to sign the
"full funding grant agreement," which gives project sponsors the
assurance that the federal government will appropriate a portion of its
share each year until 2015, when the $957 million project will be fully
funded.

"The Obama Administration is thrilled to partner with the
people of Minnesota to build the largest public works project in the
state’s history," Administrator Rogoff said. "This project truly
embodies the President’s vision for winning the future through
infrastructure investment. It will create thousands of construction jobs
now while paving the way for many thousands of jobs that will come to
the Twin Cities through the economic development successes surrounding
the new rail line. "

The 11-mile Central Corridor light rail line,
which includes 18 new stations, 31 new rail cars and a new vehicle
maintenance facility in St. Paul, is scheduled to open in 2014. Trains
will run every 7 ½ minutes during weekday peak periods. By the year
2030, it is expected that the line will carry more than 40,000
passengers on weekdays, generating 6,000 new transit trips a day.

In
addition to serving the downtown areas of the Twin Cities, the Central
Corridor line will provide improved access to the University of
Minnesota, the Midway area, the State Capitol complex, major event
venues including Target Field and the Metrodome, and many neighborhoods
in between.

 

CN issues Delivering Responsibly sustainability report

Canadian National has issued its third sustainability report, Delivering Responsibly. This report highlights CN’s strategy, programs and achievements in the areas of governance practices, safety initiatives, human resources management, community involvement and environmental sustainability.

Environmental sustainability is a priority for CN, which is focused on lowering emissions, increasing energy efficiency, reducing, reusing and recycling waste and encouraging environmental stewardship.

CN’s efforts are driven by the following key initiatives:

– Increased locomotive fuel efficiency through fleet renewal and technological applications that reduce fuel consumption.

– Extending fuel efficiency programs to all fleets, including equipment such as intermodal cranes and yard tractors, through the adoption of new and more fuel-efficient equipment and new technologies.

– A clean right-of-way policy across CN’s North American network

– Operating organized and neat facilities that improve safety and reduce waste.

– Reducing energy consumption at CN facilities and exploring alternative energy sources.

– Extending modal shift protocols to new jurisdictions, protocols adopted by the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta allow customers to get credit for switching shipments to more environmentally friendly modes of transportation such as rail.

– An engagement program to encourage environmental values and initiatives among CN employees across North America.

 

UP to increase train speeds in Southern Oregon and Northern California

Drivers will spend less time waiting for trains to pass as Union Pacific increases the speed of its trains on the rail line that runs between Klamath Falls, Ore., and Perez, Calif. Union Pacific recently invested more than $1.5 million to enhance its track infrastructure on this 50 mile corridor that runs from southern Oregon into northern California.

Replacing more than 11,000 railroad ties and adding new ballast for a stable roadbed, the track improvement project will increase train speed on this corridor from the current limit of 10 mph to 25 mph.