New website focuses on quality of railroad workers’ sleep

The results of a study regarding railroad worker fatigue management, sleep and sleep disorders have been made publicly available. The website, titled “Railroaders’ Guide to Healthy Sleep” (www.railroadersleep.org), is the result of a collaborative project that began in 2010 between Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Harvard Medical School, the WGBH Educational Foundation and the UTU. The final product reflects anonymous survey results from numerous BLET and UTU members.

Skanska awarded contract for WMATA test track and commissioning facility

Skanska has been awarded a $66 million contract from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to design and construct a test track, commissioning facility, parking garage and other facilities near the existing Greenbelt Maintenance Yard in Prince George’s County, Md. The contract will be included in the order bookings for Skanska USA Civil for the second quarter 2012.

Transportation Safety Board of Canada issues new Watchlist

Calling for action on the most critical safety issues facing Canada’s transportation system, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada released its new Watchlist.

“In 2010, the TSB’s first Watchlist became a blueprint for progress,” said Wendy Tadros, chair of the TSB. “Transport Canada and industry acted together and today, significant progress has been made on many of these important safety issues.””

In announcing its new Watchlist, Tadros added, “”We’ve removed issues where the risk has been reduced and left issues on the list where little or no progress has been made. The new Watchlist also features several emerging challenges, challenges that will need to be tackled to make Canada’s transportation system safer.”

The board reported progress in six key areas: emergency preparedness on ferries; voyage data recorders on vessels; the operation of longer, heavier trains; crashworthy data recorders on trains; advances in rail safety management systems; and planned improvements for cockpit voice recorders.

FRA proposes additional exclusions to environmental procedures

The Federal Railroad Administration proposed an addition of seven new Categorical Exclusions (CE) to its environmental procedures that will help expedite project delivery across the country. The proposed CEs, which were developed in coordination with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, are part of the Obama Administration’s on-going efforts to streamline government and allow job creators to break ground on shovel-ready projects months or even years faster without doing damage to the environment.

Congressman Nadler tours RailWorks offices

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and a leading advocate for the freight rail, intercity passenger rail and rail transit industries, toured the corporate headquarters offices of RailWorks Corporation in Manhattan on Thursday, June 14.

Wabtec acquires Mors Smitt

Wabtec Corporation has acquired Mors Smitt Holding, a manufacturer of electronic components for rail and industrial markets, from the investment company Eurazeo PME, for about $88 million.

Crossing with the utmost care

Whether it’s  a freight train, passenger train or a pedestrian crossing the rails, grade-crossing surfaces must be in tip top shape to provide a safe and smooth ride.

Skanska signs Moynihan Station contract

Skanska has signed a contract with the Moynihan Station Development Corporation (MSDC) to complete the first phase of an expansion to New York City’s Penn Station, to create the new Moynihan Station. The contract value for Skanska is $148 million, which will be included in order bookings for Skanska USA Civil for the second quarter 2012.

Not quite the end of the line

To all my faithful readers, this will be the last monthly installment of “Chicago Perspective.” I thank you for giving me a platform for 13 years where my thoughts, opinions, theories and assessments of the industry have been allowed to flourish.  

Signs, they are a-changin’

Chicago, where I live and where RT&S is put together each month, represents various things to various people. To my grandfather, who worked with the American Angus Association, memories of the old Union Stockyards come to mind.