FTA updates Congress on WMATA Metrorail safety oversight

The Federal Transit Authority (FTA) provided an update to its safety oversight of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) system during a hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

FRA explains internal review that brought change to bridge safety program

Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Sarah Feinberg, took to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) website to explain the process the FRA has gone through to enhance safety of the nation’s rail bridges.

Silver Line

Construction on Silver Line Phase 2 to ramp up

Construction on Phase 2 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, a.k.a. the Silver Line, is about to head into a busy period as the project hits the 30 percent complete mark.

Ontario partners with Thales in Canada to advance rail signal solutions

Ontario is partnering with Thales in Canada to develop the next generation of railway signaling solutions, which is expected to improve transit safety, efficiency and create jobs.

WMATA taps NYCT veteran as new chief safety officer

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) appointed Patrick Lavin to the position of chief safety officer, effective May 9. Lavin comes to WMATA from New York City Transit (NYCT), where he is second in command of the agency’s Office of System Safety.

FTA issues safety advisory to gather stop signal overrun information

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued Safety Advisory 16-1 to collect information on the frequency of stop signal overruns in rail transit and the actions being taken to address these occurrences.

SEPTA to begin PTC roll out mid April

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will begin Provisional Revenue Service Operations for Positive Train Control following written authorization from the Federal Railroad Administration.

ASLRRA awards 2015 safety honors

The American Short Line Rail and Regional Association (ASLRRA) disclosed the winners of its 2015 Safety Awards including Safety Person of the Year, Safety Professional of the Year, Jake Awards with Distinction and Jake Awards.

FRA announces $25 million for PTC implementation

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on April 4, 2016 announced that it is accepting applications for $25 million in competitive grant funding available to railroads, suppliers, and state and local governments for Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation. The funding is part of the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act that funds the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Union Pacific’s Denver, Council Bluffs Service Units hit safety marks

Union Pacific’s Denver Service Unit, which includes about 1,700 miles of track across Colorado and parts of Wyoming, Utah and Kansas, improved community and employee safety in 2015.

FRA awards California $1.5 million to separate tracks and road at crossing in Oxnard

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded a $1.5 million grant to California to fund the design of a bridge which will carry vehicular traffic on Rice Avenue over railroad tracks in Oxnard. Currently, the Union Pacific tracks, which Metrolink, Amtrak and freight trains utilize, intersect with Rice Avenue.

Gannett Fleming expands with 10 new hires across the U.S. and Canada



To accommodate growing client needs, Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems (GFT&RS) has expanded teams in the U.S. and Canada. GFT&RS is a North American transit and railroad track, signal, communication, catenary and electric traction design company.

CN continues safety innovation program with technology investments

CN has launched its third year of the Safety Innovation Program, which is part of the railroad’s broader safety agenda that is focused on enhancing the safety of operations and making the company the safest railway in North America.

Union Pacific continues to see safety success following North Platte unit’s improvement

Union Pacific‘s North Platte Service Unit, which includes about 900 miles of track across Nebraska and parts of Wyoming, Colorado and Kansas, improved employee safety in 2015. The service unit’s reportable employee injury rate improved 32 percent from 1.33 in 2014 to 0.91 in 2015, demonstrating progress toward achieving zero employee injuries.

Work continues on NYS&W service restoration in New York

The Rail Revitalization Project begun by the Chenango County Industrial 
Development Agency (CCIDA) in 2011 will mark a major milestone March 23, when 
Frontier Railroad Services, LLC, begins removing brush and other 
obstacles along the 45.5 miles of New York Susquehanna and Western (NYS&W) rail right-of-way in
 Chenango County, N.Y.

Rail service returns following WMATA shutdown

Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority (WMATA) has restored service following an unprecedented full closure of the system March 16 for emergency inspections of the system’s third-rail power cables.

FRA redesigns crossing and trespassing website to increase safety

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) launched a redesigned website to serve as a one-stop shop to help drivers, pedestrians and law enforcement stay safe around the nation’s more than 200,000 railroad crossings and 140,000 miles of track.

GE Transportation’s Digital Solutions bets big on Chicago

GE selected Chicago to be a core hub of its growing digital ecosystem and the company says it will provide deep investments to further advance its digital strategy.

Fire prompts shutdown of full WMATA rail system for inspection

A major electrical cable fire in a tunnel just outside the Washington Metro McPherson Square station early Monday, March 14, 2016 has led to the entire Metrorail system shutting down for a 29-hour period beginning March 16 at 12:00 a.m. for emergency safety inspections of third-rail power cables.

FTA issues final rule on state transit safety oversight

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a final rule that it says strengthens state safety oversight and enforcement authority to prevent and mitigate accidents and incidents on rail transit systems.

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