Union Pacific plans $83M in improvements in Arkansas
Union Pacific tagged $83 million of its planned $3.75-billion 2016 capital program to improve infrastructure in Arkansas.
Safety
Caltrain Modernization Program secures additional funds
Caltrain’s Modernization Program received an additional $211 million investment following a seven-party agreement adopted by the agency’s board of directors on May 5, 2016.
Steps taken to engage public for LIRR triple track project
In a bid to make good on a promise to promote community engagement surrounding the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Expansion Project, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out plans for public meetings, launched a new website and committed to expedited crossing improvements.
Metrolink preps for 91/Perris Valley Line opening with additional testing
Metrolink will increase testing of trains along the 91/Perris Valley Line between Perris and Riverside, Calif.
BART makes case for modernizing train control systems
Less crowding and fewer equipment-related delays are important goals of Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) “Big 3” capital improvement projects. The new train cars, an expanded facility to maintain the much larger fleet and a 21st century train control system are all linked and essential to relieving crowding.
NTSB: Ineffective inspection, maintenance, oversight led to January 2015 accident
According to a report adopted in a public meeting of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a short circuit on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) system that caused thick smoke to fill a stranded train, killing one passenger and injuring 91 people on January 12, 2015,
CHSRA acquires radio spectrum required for train communications
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) received final approval to acquire exclusive rights to the radio spectrum needed to operate future communications systems for its trains.
Progress Rail acquires Inspired Systems
Progress Rail Services Corp., has acquired Inspired Systems Pty Ltd; a move that will expand its rail signaling offerings, according to the company.
USDOT picks new WMATA board members to tackle safety culture
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has appointed three new Federal representatives, each with considerable expertise in safety, to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) board of directors.
Canada celebrates Rail Safety Week
Although safety is always a focus, the Canadian railway industry celebrates Rail Safety Week April 25 through May 1.
NS introduces new educational train and website
In keeping with the important railroad tradition of safety, Norfolk Southern rolled out a new educational train and website to help first responders across its network respond to potential rail-related incidents.
FRA releases list of the 15 most dangerous railroad crossings in the US
As the next step in its ongoing efforts to increase safety at railroad crossings, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has released a list of railroad crossings in the United States where multiple incidents have occurred in recent years. The list includes 15 crossings where 10 or more incidents have occurred during the last decade.
J-Track LLC names Dorris VP/GM of new Central Division
J-Track LLC will open a new railroad construction and maintenance company in the Chicagoland area on May 1. The new company, J-Track LLC Central Division, will be led by Vice President and General Manager, Bill Dorris.
BNSF honors four Safety Employees of the Year
BNSF has named Jeff Ahmann Engineering Safety Employee of the Year, Eric Henry Telecommunications Safety Employee of the Year, Kyle Carosella Mechanical Safety Employee of the Year and Kevin Beville Intermodal Safety Employee of the Year.
MTA to expand sleep apnea screening of employees
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has decided to expand its successful sleep apnea testing program for employees.
The Wesbell Group completes acquisition of Advanced Tower Services
The Wesbell Group of Companies Inc., provider of services to the telecommunications industry through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Wesbell Technologies Inc., has completed its acquisition of Advanced Tower Services.
USDOT receives unprecedented interest in UTC grant program
On March 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the availability of $377.5 million over the next five years for grants to support solution-oriented transportation research at colleges and universities under its University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program.
Pacific Harbor Line hosts FRA for tour
Pacific Harbor Line (PHL), a subsidiary railroad of Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH), hosted a tour for several guests, including Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Sarah Feinberg, Region 7 Regional Administrator James Jordan and Linda Darr, President of the American Short Line Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA).
Yolo County rail relocation study says area would benefit
A study designed to quantify the economic benefits of relocating existing shortline rail infrastructure in Yolo County, Calif., has found the area could tap into significant benefits if it were to follow through with the relocation.
Wabtec lands NICTD PTC contract
Wabtec Corporation signed a contract to provide equipment and services for a Positive Train Control (PTC) system to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD).