UIUC opens RAIL to advance better track designs
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for its Research and Innovation Laboratory (RAIL) located at the Harry Schnabel, Jr., Lab.
Safety
SEPTA West Trenton passenger service to separate from CSX freight operations
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) will finalize separation of its West Trenton Regional Rail Line from a CSX freight line.
BLET members ratify new contract with Indiana Southern
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) after 16 months of negotiations.
Metro-North to receive additional federal funds for Sandy resiliency work
Metro-North Railroad is set to receive more than $20 million in federal emergency relief funding for its Power and Signal Resiliency Improvements project. Local match will be provided through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Capital Plan Amendment 2010-2014 in the amount of $6,932,500.
FTA proposed rule to establish new safety program for transit industry
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) proposed a rule to establish a Public Transportation Safety Program under FTA’s new safety oversight authority established by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).
Pennsylvania oil train safety report makes 27 recommendations
A report commissioned by Pennsylvania and written by Dr. Allan Zarembski evaluates the commonwealth’s freight rail system and makes 27 recommendations to improve the safety of oil by train.
OLI awards $204,000 for public awareness campaigns
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), announced on August 11, 2015 more than $200,0000 in grants to 13 State Operation Lifesaver programs for a variety of highway-rail grade crossing safety public education projects, in conjunction with the nonprofit safety group’s ongoing “See Tracks? Think Train!” public awareness campaigns.
Crews continue fortification work on NYCT Cranberry Tube
The Cranberry Tube, which carries the A and C Lines between Lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn, will be shut down in both directions for 40 non-consecutive weekends for Superstorm Sandy-related repairs.
ACE provides grade separation updates
Legislators voiced support for the Alameda Corridor-East (ACE) rail-roadway grade-separation projects during a progress update briefing, which focused on six projects in construction or final design and located in the cities of San Gabriel, Industry and Pico Rivera and unincorporated Los Angeles County, including Rowland Heights.
One of nation’s “most dangerous” crossings gets safer
Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-9), New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Jamie Fox and New Jersey Transit Executive Director Ronnie Hakim unveiled safety improvements made to Midland Avenue railroad crossing in Elmwood Park Aug 3. The crossing was labeled as one of the nation’s most dangerous in a New York Times article in February.
Two Connecticut passenger lines undergoing improvements
Crews will be out along Metro-North Railroad’s New Canaan Branch in Connecticut during the first four weekends of August to renew railroad crossings at three intersections with local streets and rebuild the railroad bridge over the Merritt Parkway.
Norfolk Southern EVP and CIO Deb Butler to retire
Deborah H. Butler, executive vice president planning and chief information officer of Norfolk Southern, will retire Oct. 1, 2015.
Houston METRO launches safety initiative
Houston METRO is continuing its efforts to educate the community about safety along the light-rail lines.
N.D. Public Service Commission, FRA sign agreement for state railroad safety program
The North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) signed an agreement with the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) to implement a state Railroad Safety Program.
NS joins Operation Lifesaver for safety tour across the Carolinas
Norfolk Southern brings its Whistle-Stop Safety Train to the Carolinas this week to remind motorists and pedestrians to be safe and alert when around railroad tracks and trains.
Two crossing projects receive Asia-Pacific Gateway infrastructure funds
Transport Canada has made an investment of approximately CA$16.5 million (US$12.6 million) for nine Asia-Pacific Gateway transportation infrastructure projects in British Columbia that support Asia-Pacific trade and boost the competitive advantages of Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway, of which two are railroad crossing projects.
Union Pacific safety outreach results in 11 percent improvement in public safety rate
Union Pacific says its persistent community safety outreach efforts are driving down incidents at grade crossings in communities across the company’s 23-state rail network.
Union Pacific employees hit safety records
Union Pacific says employees made gains toward the company’s ultimate goal of zero incidents, setting second-quarter and year-to-date safety performance records.
Iowa Pacific Holdings using RailComm dispatch system on six US properties
Iowa Pacific Holdings (IPH) recently selected RailComm’s computer-aided dispatch system to operate six of its railroads located in U.S.