NTSB closes five outstanding safety recommendations on WMATA
The National Transportation Safety Board closed five of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s outstanding safety recommendations.
Safety
Metrolink presents fully equipped PTC test train
Southern California’s Metrolink unveiled its Positive Train Control test train at an event hosted by Metrolink Board Chair Richard Katz and the Metrolink Board on September 10.
AECOM awarded contract to help Denver RTD complete I-225 rail line
AECOM Technology Corporation was awarded a contract to provide final design services for the Denver Regional Transportation District’s forthcoming I-225 light-rail line.
FRA proposes rule on system safety programs
The Federal Railroad Administration prepared a notice of proposed rulemaking that would require commuter and intercity passenger railroads to develop and implement system safety programs (SSP) to further improve the safety of their operations.
California’s Caltrain and Metrolink celebrate Rail Safety Month
Southern California’s Caltrain Board adopted a proclamation for Railroad Safety Month. The agency addresses safety through a comprehensive, ongoing program that focuses on the “three E’s of railroad safety” – education, enforcement and engineering.
Washington state transportation commission OKs improvements at two crossings
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) approved $40,000 from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF) to pay for upgrades at grade crossings in Mason and Kitsap Counties. The crossings are located at the intersection of Old State Route 101 (SR-101) and Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad (PSAP) tracks near the city of Shelton and at the intersection of Provost Road and PSAP tracks near the city of Silverdale.
LaHood Calls on states to strengthen transit safety oversight
In a letter dated August 28, 2012, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called on the governors of 26 states, Puerto Rico and the mayor of the District of Columbia, to prepare to meet new federal regulations that the U.S. Department of Transportation plans on proposing in the near future. The proposed federal regulations would require them to strengthen and increase their oversight of public transit safety and are part of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), a new two-year transportation authorization bill signed by President Obama in July, 2012.
Trio of senators seek review of rail system safety
Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), chair of the Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation; John Rockefeller IV (D-WV), chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and Dick Durbin, (D-IL), have requested a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of rail safety and how the Federal Railroad Administration, state rail safety agencies and other stakeholders cooperate to ensure the safety of people and goods. This request comes after multiple high-profile rail accidents in recent weeks.
RailComm to provide remote control derails at Amtrak Seattle
RailComm has been selected to provide a wireless remote control derail system for Amtrak’s facility in Seattle, Wash. The power derails will be remotely controlled by two strategically located control panels. The system will also include two workstations that will allow managers to see the state of the facility at any given time.
PHW awarded largest ever contract
Invensys Rail’s PHW subsidiary has been awarded a sub-contract to install a microprocessor-based PTC system onboard all of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s transit rail vehicles.
FRA releases guidance for developing state rail plans, proposes revised RWP regs
The Federal Railroad Administration’s Draft State Rail Plan Guidance, which was announced in the Federal Register on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, provides an explanation of the proposed process to be followed in developing state rail plans.
Utilities commissions in Ohio, Washington approve crossing improvements
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing Cleveland Commercial Railroad to install mast-mounted and cantilevered flashing lights and gates at the E. 156th Street grade crossing in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County.
Fourteen Ohio crossings to get safety upgrades
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway to install safety upgrades, including flashing lights and gates at fourteen highway-rail grade crossings in Canton, Ohio.
Winchester Electronics Corporation acquires Clements National Company
Winchester Electronics Corporation has acquired Clements National Company, headquartered in Broadview, Ill. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
FRA says meeting PTC deadline unlikely, recommends extension
The Federal Railroad Administration issued a report titled Positive Train Control Implementation Status, Issues, and Impacts to Congress this month reporting on progress of the railroad carriers in implementing PTC systems.
Houston METRO targets worker safety during summer’s extreme heat
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Houston, Texas (METRO) and contractor Houston Rapid Transit are blazing light-rail tracks on the North, East and Southeast lines and chilling 9,000 pounds of ice each day to make sure crews stay cool enough to work during the season’s high temperatures. The transit authority says maintaining safety on the new lines (scheduled to open in 2014) calls for expertise and coordination and Safety Coordinator Daniel Motley has plenty to offer. Motley comes to METRO with 30-plus years of experience, most recently in the mid-east as construction safety leader for one of the largest petro-chemical projects ever attempted. Today, he is in the field daily, checking on rail expansion crews and work conditions.
Alion awarded $10 Million FRA contract to study human performance in rail operations and maintenance
To enhance safety and improve railroad operations, the Federal Railroad Administration has awarded Alion Science and Technology a contract with a ceiling of $10 million to conduct research that gauges human performance in rail operations and maintenance. The global engineering, R&D, IT and operational solutions company will provide technical expertise to FRA’s Human Factors Research Division, which aims to reduce human factors that cause train, trespasser and grade crossing accidents.
New rail horn technology project continues in Del Mar, Calif.
As part of a pilot program to install wayside horns in the city of Del Mar, Calif., crews are beginning to construction of pedestrian crossing improvements at Coast Blvd.
Track and signal testing begins for Sounder extension to Lakewood
Sound Transit in Seattle, Wash., has started rail and signal testing on more than eight miles of new track for its Sounder commuter rail extension to Lakewood.
RailComm provides system to BNSF yard in New Mexico
BNSF’s Belen Yard in New Mexico has added RailComm’s Blue Flag Indicator (BFI) System to their facility. The RailComm BFI System allows a user to apply blue flag protection to the fueling tracks through the use of strategically located field control panels. These panels are outfitted with keypad security that will only allow verified personnel to operate the system. The BFIs are positioned in pairs at different locations along the track.