Bartek awarded two U.S. patents
The United States Patent Office has granted two patents in the area of autonomous inter-vehicle communications and collision avoidance to Peter M. Bartek, president and CEO of start-up Focused Technology Solutions, a
Safety
Maryland MTA crews complete light rail storm repairs
Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) returned light rail to service from the Patapsco to Cromwell and BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport stations on Aug. 17, three days ahead of schedule.
NYSW Railway taps Collins’ ARINC RailwayNetSM for PTC
The New York, Susquehannah and Western (NYSW) Railway has chosen Rockwell Collins’ ARINC Railway NetSM service to implement positive train control (PTC).
FTA certifies Michigan’s SSOP
Michigan has obtained federal certification of its rail transit State Safety Oversight Program (SSOP) ahead of next year’s deadline, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced Aug. 16.
CSS, Indiana commuter operator in double-track project agreement
An agreement on a project to improve commuter rail service on an historic route between Indiana and Chicago will have a follow-on economic benefit for a short line freight carrier, too.
CTA awards contract to modernize three Blue Line stations
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board approved a $30 million contract to F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen & Associates, LLC. on Aug. 15 for renovations at the Grand, Chicago and Division Blue Line
Canadian government to fund signal upgrades at Quebec crossing
The government of Canada, through its Rail Safety Improvement Program, is contributing CA$335,000 (US$255,043) to upgrade the signal system of a Quebec grade-crossing.
LACMTA, TSA partner on advanced passenger screening system
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are partnering up to deploy an advanced portable passenger screening technology that officials said will help detect weapon
Commuter rail industry continues its steady progress toward PTC implementation
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) provided a second quarter 2018 update to progress the commuter rail industry has made toward implementing Positive Train Control (PTC).
KCS Laredo Yard opens second CBP examination station
Kansas City Southern (KCS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) celebrated the completion of the Secondary Examination Station at the KCS Laredo rail yard Aug. 10 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
SLSI picks Cotton for key post
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) has named Sam Cotton as senior manager, safety and operations.
LACMTA to begin Blue Line overhaul in January 2019
Los Angeles County Transportation Authority (LACMTA) will begin work on a $350-million comprehensive modernization of its oldest rail line in January 2019.
NJ Transit sets FY2019 ops, capex spend
New Jersey Transit, the nation’s third-largest public transportation agency, on Aug. 8 adopted a Fiscal Year 2019 budget consisting of $2.32 billion in operating expenditures and a $1.46 billion capital program.
NTSB faults CSX, city of Biloxi for motorcoach accident at crossing
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined a failure “to mitigate known safety hazards” by the city of Biloxi, Miss., and CSX is the probable cause of a fatal motorcoach versus
LIRR crossing safety initiative wraps up months ahead of schedule
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) has completed its visible railroad crossing safety initiative five months ahead of schedule.
FRA issues rail grants to Alaska, Wyoming; South Dakota misses out
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued $1.26 million for rail capital projects in Alaska and Wyoming. The funds are made available by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017.
SEPTA to perform next stage of Southwest Connection Improvement Program
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will perform work as part of the Southwest Connection Improvement Program in August aimed at rebuilding mainline infrastructure on the Media/Elwyn Regional Rail Line.
Illinois grant to help improve safety, security of OmniTRAX line
A grant from the state of Illinois will help fund safety and security improvements along the OmniTRAX-managed Peru Industrial Railroad in Peru, Ill.
More than CA$20M awarded to 105 projects to improve rail safety in Canada
The government of Canada will contribute CA$20.7 million (US$15.9 million) to 105 projects and initiatives aimed at improving rail safety.
Amtrak to improve project management following OIG audit of Washington Union Station projects
Amtrak will improve its project management processes concerning a series of projects at Washington Union Station following an audit by the Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that the projects were