Denver Transit Partners’ work for the Regional Transportation District (RTD) Eagle P3 Commuter Rail Project was recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as qualifying for the Star Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
BNSF‘s 2015 capital program for its operations in Illinois will be an estimated $339 million for rail capacity improvement projects and maintenance.
Denver Regional Transportation District says “Safety first” is plastered on every light-rail vehicle for a reason – it’s the agency’s top priority.
Union Pacific says training, technology and investments helped the railroad improve safety in 2014, which reduced its reportable derailment rate seven percent. UP improved its reportable derailment rate to 3.0 from 3.24 in 2013 and has improved this rate 38 percent over the past 10 years.
BNSF ‘s 2015 capital program for its operations in Washington will be an estimated $189 million for rail capacity improvement projects and maintenance.
A railroad track geometry vehicle regularly collects a terabyte or two of data every month. How to store that much data is one challenge, but a much more pressing challenge is how to turn the raw material into useful information.
Simmons-Boardman Rail Group, which consists of Railway Age, Railway Track & Structures (RT&S) and International Railway Journal (IRJ), has been awarded the event guide contract and emedia partner for Railway Interchange 2015.
The Caltrain Board of Directors authorized the release of the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP) Design Build Request for Proposals (RFP), which is the next step in the design and construction of the project to electrify the Caltrain system. Electrification, a $1.5-billion project, is expected to be operational late in 2020.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) formed a partnership with the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) in updating the current rail plan to include a component enhancing statewide rail safety to meet growing transportation needs in the state.
Union Pacific‘s board of directors elected Lance Fritz president and chief executive officer, succeeding John Koraleski, who was named executive chairman, effective immediately. Fritz was also elected to the company’s board of directors. Fritz had been president and chief operating officer since February 6, 2014.
BNSF‘s 2015 capital program for its operations in Minnesota will be more than last year’s investment with an estimated $326 million for key rail capacity improvement projects and a robust maintenance program.
Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) has secured a $120-million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan for major improvements to the Blue Line, which will upgrade tracks and stations between the downtown Loop and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
The Western Group, a railroad industry consortium, named Dr. Art Miller as system director, responsible for safety training, as well as standards and regulatory compliance. For almost 30 years, Miller has blended his knowledge of railroad operations with safety management. Since 2009, Miller has served as director of safety and operations standards for Iowa Pacific Holdings.
BNSF ‘s 2015 capital program for its operations in Nebraska will be an estimated $226 million for rail capacity improvement projects and maintenance.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is conducting a safety management inspection of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) rail and bus transit system.
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY-18) introduced the Rail Crossings Safety Improvement Act to help improve safety at grade crossings following the Metro-North train versus vehicle accident February 3. The bill will reauthorize the Rail Line Relocation & Improvement Capital Grant Program (RLR) at $100 million per year for the next four years.
Metro-North train service resumed on the Harlem Line February 5 for the first time since a collision February 3 between a passenger train and a vehicle near Valhalla Station in Valhalla.
President Obama unveiled his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2016, which includes a six-year $478-billion surface transportation reauthorization proposal that contains rail funding sources through the Generating Renewal, Opportu¬nity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America (GROW AMERICA) Act.
Transportation fatalities in the United States decreased by three percent in 2013 from 2012, according to preliminary figures released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Fatalities in all modes of transportation totaled 34,678 in 2013, compared with 35,796 in 2012. Deaths in marine, aviation, highway and pipeline transportation decreased, although there was a rise in rail-related deaths. Railroad deaths increased six percent from 840 to 891, which a vast majority of these fatalities continue to be trespassers struck by trains.
“While this decrease represents a good trend, much more work needs to done, because 35,000 deaths is very troubling,” said NTSB Acting Chairman Hart. “NTSB continues to address safety issues in all modes to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads, rails and waterways, as well as in our skies.”
Kansas City Southern says that implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) technology is a major, ongoing initiative, especially for the Signal, Mechanical, Telecommunications and IT groups.
