(Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak)

STB Launches Office of Passenger Rail

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Oct. 1 established the Office of Passenger Rail, responsible for investigating and analyzing issues regarding Amtrak on-time performance (OTP).

FRA Issues Training Revision NPRM

In response to petitions for a rulemaking, the Federal Railroad Administration is proposing amending its regulation on “Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees” for the purpose of “codifying agency guidance and clarifying existing requirements.” The comment period ends Dec. 2, 2022.

A grant of up to $1.44 million will go toward the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) Avalanche Control project.

FRA Awards $4MM in Special Transportation Circumstances Grants

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has selected three rail capital projects in Alaska and South Dakota for Special Transportation Circumstances grants totaling more than $4 million.

More than 100,000 people have tapped their credit card to pay for GO, Brampton, MiWay and Oakville Transit since Metrolinx's new fare payment launched on Aug. 11.

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, Amtrak, SEPTA, MBTA, WMATA

Metrolinx’s contactless payment hits milestone after recent launch. Also, Idaho leaders want Amtrak rail service to return to the Mountain West; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) offers new way for customers to report cleanliness issues on system; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launches online applications for TAP and blind access customers; and a D.C. Council committee advances bill that would give D.C. residents $100 a month to ride the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Metrorail and Metrobus.

Commentary

Coincidence—Or Not?

The Federal Railroad Administration released on Sept. 22—six years after it was completed—a commissioned study, “Human Error Analyses Associated With Locomotive Cab Automation,” which “addressed the potential for errors that may occur during human-automation interaction with automated systems.”

Commentary

TTC’s Second Half-Century: An Expanded Role

A short drive east of Pueblo, Colo., north of the Arkansas River, flanked by the Sangre de Christo Mountains, and surrounded by shortgrass prairie, lies the Transportation Technology Center, the Federal Railroad

Rail Safety Week Initiatives Accelerate (UPDATED)

As Rail Safety Week (RSW) (Sept. 19-25), a collaborative effort among Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), state OLI programs and rail safety partners across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, continues to be observed, North American carriers and organizations are mobilizing to raise awareness about rail safety and to help stop track tragedies during this annual week-long event. Here is a roundup of the week’s initiatives.

Receiving grants are: Metrolink operator Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA; $12.5 million); Tri-Rail operator Southern Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA; $12.9 million); New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad ($4.4 million); NYSDOT and MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) ($14.9 million); and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA; $15 million).

USDOT Awards $59MM for Commuter Rail Grade Crossing Improvements

Five commuter rail agencies will receive a total of $59 million in grants for highway-rail grade crossing improvements in California, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The awards are part of round two of the Commuter Authority Rail Safety Improvement (CARSI) Grants Program.

SkyTrain in front of the King George Hub. (TransLink)

Transit Briefs: TransLink, CTA, MBTA, NJ Transit, City of Lexington

TransLink announces partnership with PCI Developments to study the benefits of providing subsidized transit at new King George Hub development. Also, the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Bryn Mawr Red Line Station wins People’s Choice Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chicago; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announces that closure of the Green Line D Branch will begin Sept. 24 for infrastructure upgrades; NJ Transit unveils art project at New Brunswick Station; and the City of Lexington in North Carolina prepares to kick off the construction phase of its passenger service project.

Rail Safety Briefs: OLI, OL Canada, CN, Metro-North Railroad, LIRR

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) urges public to help stop track tragedies during Rail Safety Week (RSW) 2022 and beyond. Also, Operation Lifesaver (OL) Canada joins forces with Thomas & Friends™ to teach kids about rail safety; CN police services mobilize across Canada and the U.S. to raise awareness about rail safety; and Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) announce national campaign to educate public about safety around trains and tracks.

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