Wet leaves on rail? Long Island Rail Road zaps them
Wet leaves are more like a wet blanket around commuter railroad operations, especially for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). During the fall, it is not uncommon to read about train delays
Rapid Transit/Light Rail
What? Me worry? Despite I-976 Sound Transit hauls in big money from U.S. DOT
Despite the passage of Initiative 976 in the state of Washington, Sound Transit is still taking in major funding for light rail projects. The U.S. DOT just finalized $1.4 billion worth of
Bells & Whistles, Dec. 13, 2019
L.A. considering P3s to help with light rail transit strategy Two trains derail in North America Florida tries to reduce accidents at RR crossings MBTA commits to safety
Atlanta eyes major transit expansion in coming decades
In the decades-long battle between public transportation and the private automobile in metropolitan Atlanta, the private automobile has been the clear winner. Significant road construction has occurred, and ridership on public transportation
Iteris, Gannett Fleming to provide analysis, design for L.A. County light rail line
Iteris Inc. and Gannett Fleming Inc. will work together to provide traffic operations analysis and traffic engineering design services for a new light rail transit system in southern California.
NYC Comptroller attacks Bombardier, MTA
According to news reports from from local media, an audit by New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer takes issue with Bombardier Transportation’s long-delayed contract with the New York MTA for 300 new
MTA gathers the best to help revamp its signaling system
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York City, Transit Innovation Partnership and Empire State Development hosted a Signaling Innovation Summit to bring together the best and brightest innovators to accelerate the
Congress moving closer to banning railcar purchases from Chinese companies
A little more than a month ago, RT&S ran Railway Age Editor-in-Chief Bill Vantuono’s story on concerns about the Chinese government subsidizing its companies engaged in building railcars for transit agencies, which threatens
L.A. looking at public-private partnerships to get light rail ready for 2028 Olympics
If Los Angeles is going to host the 2028 Olympics, the city knows its light-rail system has to meet qualifying marks. Los Angeles Metro Senior Executive Officer Rick Meade attended the Canadian
Bells & Whistles, Ep. 18
The top stories we were following the week ending Nov. 22: MBTA clears funding for phases 2 and 3 of Franklin Line Double Track Project. U.S. DOT pushes for increased safety
Sound Transit begins process of response to Initiative 976 passage
At its meeting on Nov. 21 the Sound Transit Board of Directors began the process of reviewing the agency’s response to the adoption of Initiative 976 (I-976) by statewide voters. After the
U.S. DOT wants to advance highway-rail grade crossing safety
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced significant plans to advance highway-rail grade crossing safety. The announcement comes as the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hosted a grade-crossing safety summit, with remarks from
Port Authority to receive over $2.5 million from Norfolk Southern after derailment
The Port Authority of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania is expecting to receive almost $2.6 million in damages from Norfolk Southern following the 2018 derailment where a train landed on light rail tracks
Charlotte, N.C., takes first step toward new Silver Line
The city of Charlotte will be moving forward with a 26-mile light rail line that will run from Matthews, N.C., to uptown Charlotte and over to the airport in Gaston County. The
GoTriangle needs to make changes before getting the green light on light rail in Durham, N.C.
GoTriangle is now StopTriangle, but there is a chance it could get the go sign in the future if it makes some adjustments. An American Public Transportation Association report cited errors in
Bells & Whistles—Episode 16
What were the top news stories RT&S was following this week? Check out our latest Bells & Whistles.
U.S. DOT announces availability of $24 million to restore, enhance intercity passenger rail
The U.S. DOT’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced on Nov. 6 the availability of $24 million in grant funding to initiate, restore, or enhance intercity passenger rail service around the country.
Probable victory of Initiative 976 means financial pain for the state of Washington’s Sound Transit
The first round of votes in the state of Washington involving Initiative 976 does not look promising and has the Sound Transit bracing for the worst.
CRRC’s “Chief Obligation is to the Chinese State”: Report
“CRRC AND BEIJING’S DASH FOR GLOBAL ROLLING STOCK DOMINANCE,” a report prepared by Radarlock, which describes itself as “a research organization that uses data-driven analysis to understand techno-economic dynamics in world affairs,”
New Jersey commuters still waiting for Bergen light rail line a decade later
Talk is not action. For the last decade, residents in Bergen County, N.J., have been told a light rail was coming. Today they are still waiting.