USDOT Issues RFI for Potential Applications of AI

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Infrastructure (ARPA-I) on May 22 announced that it is seeking potential applicants of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all modes of transportation, as well

(Photograph Courtesy of FTA)

FTA: $10.5MM Available for TOD Planning

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on May 23 reported that approximately $10.5 million in Fiscal Year 2024 competitive grant funds are available to support local planning and investment near transit hubs, with a focus on projects that plan for affordable housing.

CN Receiving Next-Gen Ore Jennies (UPDATED 5/23)

CN is taking delivery on 600 new 1,150-cubic-foot iron ore hopper cars, colloquially called “jennies,” from FreightCar America. The new equipment, described as “a significant upgrade to CN’s fleet,” incorporates materials from

FRA said its three recently finalized reports on the “safety and performance of long trains” include findings from tests conducted on air brake racks (pictured) and the air brake system of a stationary train to examine how the length of long trains affects air brake system behavior and performance. (Photograph Courtesy of FRA)

FRA Finalizes Research Reports on Long Trains

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on May 22 announced that it has finalized three reports on the “safety and performance of long trains,” which have been submitted to the National Academy of

Trade Associations Urge Treasury to Finalize, Publish Clean Fuels Production Credit Guidance

Twenty-five trade associations, including the including the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), Association of American Railroads (AAR) and Clean Fuels Alliance America, on May 15 sent a letter to

House Passes Rolling Stock Protection Act (UPDATED, 5/23)

The U.S. House of Representatives on May 21 passed H.R. 3317, the Rolling Stock Protection Act, “closing a loophole” allowing taxpayer dollars from being used to purchase railcars made by CRRC (China Railway Rolling Stock Corp.).

Rail Vision systems are said to detect objects on and along the tracks from a distance of up to 1.2 miles (2 kilometers)—in real time, as well as in all weather and light conditions. When an obstacle is detected, the system sends visual and acoustic alerts in real-time to both the operator and the command-and-control center. (Image Courtesy of Rail Vision)

Supply Side: Rail Vision, North American Rail Solutions/Strategic Rail

Rail Vision Ltd. receives a U.S. patent notice of allowance for its AI (Artificial Intelligence)-based railway obstacle detection system. Also, North American Rail Solutions acquires Strategic Rail, LLC in Tomahawk, Wis.

Transit Briefs: LA Metro, Amtrak, TTC, VRE

LA Metro launches TAP to exit pilot at its North Hollywood B Line station. Also, Amtrak’s Borealis service makes its inaugural trip between St. Paul, Miss., and Chicago, Ill.; the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) provides an update on its ongoing labor negotiations with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATC) Local 113; and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) cuts the ribbon on improvements to Fredericksburg Station.

People News: IntelliTrans, GATX, Port NOLA, STV

IntelliTrans hires Jim Bell as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Also, GATX Corporation (GATX) announces a transition plan for Vice President – Government and Industry Affairs at Rail North America; the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) appoints Ronald Wendel Jr. as Acting President and CEO of Port NOLA and Acting CEO of New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB); and STV promotes Philip Hanegraaf to Senior Vice President and Patricia Macchi to Vice President.

(BNSF Photograph)

U.S. Rail Traffic Remains Flat in Week 20, AAR

For the week ending May 18, 2024 (Week 20), total U.S. rail traffic came in at 474,886 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.9%—virtually flat—vs. the same week last year, according to a May 22 Association of American Railroads (AAR) report. It is the fourth consecutive week that carloads and intermodal containers and trailers combined were comparable to the prior-year periods.

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