FBI Opens Criminal Probe Into Francis Scott Key Bridge Accident
WASHINGTON –– The Washington Post reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has begun a criminal probe into the Francis Scott Key Bridge strike by a container ship.
Safety
Track Worker on Union Pacific Killed While Making Repairs
MCNEIL, Ark. –– Television station KSLA in Shreveport, La. reported that a Union Pacific track worker was killed after being struck by machinery.
Metrolink to Pilot Track Intrusion Detection
From Our Colleagues at Railway Age:
LOS ANGELES –– Southern California’s Metrolink will use a $1.3 million federal grant for the development and demonstration of a track intrusion detection system that it said not only will improve the safety of its riders and crew, but also directly benefit pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and everyone else who interacts with the regional/ commuter rail system.
Caltrain OCS Fully Energized
From Our Colleagues at Railway Age:
SAN CARLOS, Calif. ––Caltrain, with partners Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) and Balfour Beatty, have energized and tested the OCS (overhead catenary system) on the entire 51-mile Caltrain Electrification Project between San Francisco and San Jose. The next step is testing the system’s Stadler Rail-built EMUs (electric multiple-units) at maximum operating speed and prepare for electrified revenue service, expected to commence in September 2024.
SFMTA Train Traffic Control System Runs on Floppy Disks
SAN FRANCISCO –– The San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Agency’s train control system today uses a system that relies on 5 1/2-inch floppy disks –– the ones that are really floppy.
Track Inspections and Speed Restrictions After 4.8 Earthquake in NJ; Amtrak, CSX, MTA (UPDATED 4/8)
WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. – After a 4.8 earthquake, Amtrak implements speed restrictions and performs track inspections. CSX inspected bridges and related structures.
Metra Outlines 2024 Construction Plan
CHICAGO – Metra on April 3 detailed its construction program for 2024, covering station, track, road crossing, bridge, and signal/communications improvement projects along the Chicagoland commuter railroad’s 11 lines totaling nearly 500 route-miles. In addition
Federal Grant Awarded to NJ TRANSIT to Develop Artificial Intelligence System for Grade Crossing Safety
NEWARK, N.J. –– NJ TRANSIT has been awarded a federal grant to work with Rutgers University’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) to implement AI-powered safety systems on light rail vehicles at grade crossings.
FRA Issues Final Rule on Train Crew Size
WASHINGTON – Today, The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a final rule requiring two crew members on nearly all freight and passenger trains.
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Awards $200,000 for Crossing Safety Public Awareness Campaigns in 10 States
WASHINGTON –– Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), today announced $200,000 in competitive crossing safety awareness grants to Operation Lifesaver programs in 10 states.
FTA Proposes Minimum Safety Standards for Rail Transit Roadway Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – FTA proposed minimum safety standards that would work to ensure the safe operation of public transportation systems.
Governor Hochul Announces Five-Point Plan to Protect New Yorkers on the Subway
NEW YORK –– While this story is a bit out of our wheelhouse, we decided that this significant step by Governor Hochul is worth reporting.
NTSB Sheds Some Light on NS Derailment
LOWER SAUCON TOWNSHIP, Pa. –– As Railway Age reported on March 2, there was a three-train derailment on Norfolk Southern’s line just east of Steel City, Pa. along the Lehigh River.
PUCO approves in rail crossing upgrades in Huron, Richland and Summit counties
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today approved safety upgrades at rail crossings in Huron, Richland and Summit counties.
BNSF Intermodal Network Update for Friday, March 1, 2024
FORT WORTH –– BNSF released the following update about wildfire impact on intermodal traffic on its Southern Transcon.
NTSB Issues RIR-24-01; Caltrain Train and Hi-rail Construction Vehicles Collision
SAN BRUNO, Calif. – In a Railroad Investigation Report, the NTSB detailed its investigation about the March 2022 collision between a Caltrain passenger train and three hi-rail construction vehicles.
WMSC Issues Order to Metrorail Over Train Operator Certification Requirements
WASHINGTON, D.C. – An order from the WMSC shows it had communicated deficiencies in train operator requirements multiple times in 2023 and 2024.
FRA Issues Safety Bulletin on PTC Software Error and Malfunction
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– In Safety Bulletin 2024-2, issued February 13, the Federal Railroad Administration notified railroads of a software error and malfunction in the Interoperable Electronic Train Management System (PTC).
California State Sen. Blakespear Introduces Legislation To Revitalize Southern California Rail
SACRAMENTO –– Earlier this week, California State Sen. Catherine Blakespear introduced legislation to try to resolve and stabilize the problems on the LOSSAN corridor over the past several years.
WATCH: DART Technology in Alaska
JUNEAU, Alaska – The State of Alaska reports a successful deployment and detonation of two CIL explosives on an unmanned UAS by the Alaska Railroad Corporation and Alaska DOT&PF.