Alaska Railroad to promote Hopp to COO, Engebretson to retire
The Alaska Railroad (ARRC) has promoted Clark Hopp, vice president of engineering, to serve as chief operating officer (COO) beginning Jan. 1, 2018.
Intercity
USDOT joins fight against human trafficking
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is ramping up its efforts to help put an end to domestic and international human trafficking.
RPA offers plan to promote growth in NY-NJ-CT region
Regional Plan Association (RPA) has released a long-range plan for the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut metropolitan region that it says ensures growth and equitable prosperity opportunities.
Network Rail puts new grinders into service
Britain’s infrastructure manager Network Rail (NR) has introduced into operation the first two of three 150m (492-foot) long grinding trains, which Loram and Colas Rail are supplying under a £36-million (US$48.6-million) contract.
Sersa Total Track, Remcan Projects teaming up to expand Canadian service offerings
Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group, Sersa Total Track (STT) is teaming up with rail contractor, Remcan Projects LP in an effort to extend its capabilities, expertise and infrastructure across Canada.
FRA issues fifth extension of passenger rail SSP deadline
Passenger rail service providers now have until Dec. 4, 2018 to develop and implement a system safety program (SSP) according to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Rail related fatalities up 3.5 percent in 2016
Railroad fatalities were up in 2016 as compared to 2015, following the overall trend upwards for total transportation deaths, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Parsons secures Metrolinx ETCCS tech services contract
Parsons has begun providing technical advisory services for Metrolinx’s Enhanced Train Control and Conventional Signaling (ETCCS) project, part of the Canadian agency’s 10-year GO Transit regional/commuter rail expansion program consisting of C$13.5 billion in capital projects and $7 billion in state-of-good-repair works.
SANDAG completes $28M in OTC improvements
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and the North County Transit District (NCTD) have expanded the Oceanside Transit Center (OTC) to increase train capacity.
Skoutelas tapped to lead APTA
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has appointed transit industry veteran Paul P. Skoutelas as president and CEO, effective Jan. 8, 2018.
Delachaux Group bringing rail businesses under Pandrol brand
The Delachaux Group is launching a rebranding effort aimed at bringing the entirety of its rail businesses under the Pandrol brand.
DB Engineering & Consulting awarded CHSRA early train operator contract
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors has approved a contract for early train operator services to DB Engineering & Consulting USA.
Amtrak: We’re building our safety culture
Amtrak laid out a series of initiatives it has implemented and continues to implement since a derailment in April 2016 left two of the railroad’s employees dead and 39 others injured.
NTSB cites lack of safety culture in Chester, Pa., derailment
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said ignored safety procedures and a fractured safety program are to blame for the April 3, 2016, derailment of Amtrak train 89 near Chester, Penn.
USDOT issues final rule to expand drug testing panel
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a final rule to expand its current drug testing panel to include a greater array of opioids among USDOT-regulated industries.
Amtrak preps for next phase of NY Penn Station work
Amtrak has announced several track renewal projects in New York Penn Station as part of its Infrastructure Renewal program that rolled out in summer of 2017.
Draft Supplemental document released for Fresno-Bakersfield section of California HSR project as state seeks to take over environmental reviews
The state of California is looking to assume federal environmental responsibilities for the California high-speed rail project.
Transport Canada to propose fatigue management regs for rail industry
Transport Canada says it is taking steps to address fatigue management in the rail industry.
TxDOT continues to explore Oklahoma-South Texas passenger rail options
A new study has deemed passenger rail service between Oklahoma City and South Texas to be feasible, according to a release from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
APTA reacts to proposed U.S. tax overhaul
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) sent a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means to identify its concerns with the proposed overhaul of the U.S. tax system.