Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Metro-North Railroad named Justin Vonashek as the agency’s new vice president of system safety, where he will oversee all efforts to ensure the safety of its customers and employees as it continues to improve work practices and invest in new technology and equipment.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 10, 2015 passed S. 808, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) Reauthorization Act of 2015, which among other provisions, will increase the number of STB members from three to five, improving STB’s structure and decision-making processes by allowing, with proper disclosure, board members to speak with one another about cases on which the STB is ruling.
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association, Inc. (NRC), elected two new members to its board of directors and released the winners of the 2015 NRC/RT&S Contractor and Safety Awards.
The Arizona Corporation Commission approved an upgrade to a public railroad crossing at U.S. 60 and Bell in Surprise, Ariz. The application approves BNSF to remove the existing at-grade crossing and the construction of a new grade-separated crossing.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has new tools at its disposal for the upcoming winter weather, such as high-velocity snow blowers and brining equipment, aimed at combating snowy and icy conditions. SEPTA says this equipment will play a key role in its efforts to minimize disruptions to customers resulting from winter weather events.
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), awarded $148,500 in grants to eight rail transit agencies in seven states for public awareness and safety education projects.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s (TSB) investigation into the September 2013 collision between an OC Transpo bus and a VIA Rail train in Ottawa, Ontario, identified numerous contributory factors including company practices, work-related driving distractions, speed, the configuration of the Transitway and bus crashworthiness.
As part of the Eagle P3 Project, Denver’s Regional Transit District and its contractor, Denver Transit Partners have the power lines turned on along the Gold (G) Line between Union Station and the Wheat Ridge – Ward Station and on the Northwest Rail (B) Line to Westminster for testing.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) released its proposed $3-billion Operating Budget that funds critical planning for future growth. The agency also posted a $3.5-billion Capital Budget that funds critical state-of-good-repair to existing transportation facilities and new infrastructure that is needed to sustain and accelerate growth and enhance the overall customer experience.
In its investigation report, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) determined that a broken heel block assembly led to the derailment of a Canadian Pacific train that destroyed the bridge over 40 Mile Creek near Banff, Alberta, on Dec. 26, 2014.
Winter is Chicago can be quite brutal and to combat its annual battle against cold and snowy weather, Metra has installed covers and supercharged heaters to several of the most critical switches in its system and continues to repair and replace railcar doors that are prone to fail in winter conditions.
New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) plans to work on three crossings in Salem, Atlantic and Ocean counties in November.
Chicago’s Metra has named Hilary Konczal as its first chief safety and environmental officer. The newly created position puts Metra in line with best practices and Federal Transit Administration recommendations and consolidates safety and environmental units under one officer.
On Nov. 16, Metrolink started Positive Train Control (PTC) testing on its San Bernardino Line, which covers the cities of El Monte, Baldwin Park, Covina, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont, Montclair, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Rialto and San Bernardino.
Testing will be done Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., however, there may be some additional testing during daytime hours on Saturday and Sunday.
Two freight train derailments during the weekend of November 7 and 8 in Alma and Watertown, Wis., have elected officials calling for advanced rail safety efforts at the state and federal level.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) promoted Scott Sauer to assistant general manager of system safety.
In Chicago, the Metra Board of Directors approved a $945.5-million budget that provides for $759.8 million in operating costs and $185.7 million to fund capital improvements in 2016.
Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems (GFT&RS) was awarded a contract from Metrolinx for its GO Transit rail network electrification project. The contract was awarded to Gannett Fleming Canada ULC, its Canadian subsidiary, to serve as the technical and program management consultant for the project.
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colo., says it’s first in the nation to integrate Positive Train Control (PTC) technology in the actual construction of a rail system. The technology will be used on the new FasTracks commuter transit rail systems.
Wabtec Corporation signed a $27-million contract with Regional Rail Partners to provide Phase I signaling and communications systems, including Positive Train Control (PTC) equipment, for the new North Metro Rail Line in Denver, Colo. The line will eventually be integrated into Regional Transit District commuter rail services.
