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.
Safety
WMSC Issues Safety Audit of WMATA Metrorail’s Power Systems
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) issued a safety audit report for Metrorail’s power systems.
NTSB Investigates Ohio Central Railroad Employee Fatality
JEWETT, Ohio – NTSB investigators have begun conducting observations and interviews regarding the fatality of a Ohio Central Railroad signal maintainer.
Federal Railroad Administration Issues Order to Stop Operation of Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad in Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, the Federal Railroad Administration published an Emergency Order in the Federal Register that prevents operation of trains and other on-track equipment on the Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad (BNGR).
Orange County Coastal Rail Resiliency Study
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. –– The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the LOSSAN Rail Corridor (Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo) are working together on an Orange County Coastal Rail Resiliency Study. The study began in November 2023 and completion is expected in Fall 2025. OCTA is studying rail challenges in south Orange County to assess existing and future environmental risks and issues with operations and maintenance along the LOSSAN Rail Corridor. The study will evaluate strategies to address these challenges.
Extreme Winter Weather Prompts TriMet To Shift ‘A Better Red’ Disruption One Week
PORTLAND, Ore. –– RT&S has reported for a while on the transit project in Portland, Oregon known as “A Better Red” for the city’s TriMet system. The agency recently announced that due to the severe winter weather experienced in the region, construction will be delayed one week. This story details both the nature of the disruption and how passengers can work around it.
NTSB Chair Blasts WMATA, Citing ‘Poor Safety Culture’
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Earlier this month, the Chair of the National Transportation Board, Jennifer Homendy, held a press conference announcing the findings of the agency’s investigation into a train derailment that occurred in October 2021.
MTA Announces Scarsdale Station Becomes Second Metro-North Station to Be Made Fully Accessible This Year
NEW YORK ––The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that the Scarsdale Metro-North Station has been made fully accessible with the opening of a second elevator, in an enclosed tower, that serves the Grand Central-bound platform. As part of the improvement project, the overpass was raised seven inches to provide greater vertical clearance for Metro-North work trains and was enhanced with new customer amenities.
RailWorks Co-Workers Performed Life Saving CPR on L.K. Comstock Project
LOS ANGELES – RailWorks Corp. shares its sincere appreciation for the heroism of three employees’ actions that saved a life on L.K. Comstock’s LAX ConRAC – Arbor Vitae Street Grade Crossing Improvements project in Los Angeles.
ICC Approves Highway/Rail Grade Crossing Projects
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has signed off on stipulated agreements to improve safety at highway/rail grade crossings in Cumberland and Stark counties. Total cost: $1.84 million.
UTC Approves Safety Upgrades in Yakima and Walla Walla Counties
LACEY, Wash. – UTC approves Grade Crossing Protective Fund grants for rail safety upgrades in Washington.
NTSB Investigates CTA Yellow Line Train and Snow Removal Machine Collision
CHICAGO – The National Transportation Safety Board has released details on a collision between a Chicago Transit Authority Yellow Line train and a rail-bound snow removal machine.
NTSB’s Railroad Investigation Report RIR-23-14
REED, Pa. – The National Transportation Safety Board released its Railroad Investigation Report RIR-23-14.
Ohio Rail Crossing Upgrades in Ashtabula and Warren Counties
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, or PUCO, approved safety upgrades at rail crossings in both Ashtabula and Warren counties in Ohio.
PUCO Approves Upgrades in Warren, Fayette, and Butler Counties
COLUMBUS, Ohio – PUCO, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, approved safety upgrades in Warren, Fayette, and Butler Counties.
BNSF North Construction Gang Achieves 10 Injury-Free Years
FRESNO, Calif. – BNSF is celebrating its California North Construction Gang for 10 years without a single reportable injury.
Union Pacific’s Switch Modernization Project; Color-Based Switch Targets
OMAHA, Neb. – Union Pacific is undergoing a switch modernization project.
Two Ohio Rail Crossings to Receive Safety Upgrades
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, or PUCO, approved safety upgrades in Lucas and Washington counties in Ohio.
CN Releases 2023-2024 Winter Safety Plan
MONTREAL, Quebec – CN announces it has published its 2023-2024 Winter Safety Plan.
WMSC Releases Safety Audit of WMATA Roadway Maintenance Machine Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, or WMSC, released its 44-page safety audit of WMATA’s Roadway Maintenance Machine Program.