Commentary

PTC: It’s the deadline, stupid

Syntax-challenged George W. Bush was bang-on correct in saying, “You got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in.” So it is with Positive Train Control (PTC)—a $14 billion safety overlay utilizing computers, transponders and GPS to stop or slow a train automatically before certain types of accidents occur.

Commentary

Stop whimpering and find a way

Last week, the FRA released its most recent report to Congress on the status of PTC implementation. As these things go, it’s not a bad report. It touches on all the big issues; says all the right things; and almost pleads with Congress to do something, but not just anything, the right something re: the approaching deadline.

Commentary

GUEST BLOG: “Build the new tunnels already”

National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) President and CEO Jim Mathews issued a statement responding to the recent incidents that have affected intercity and commuter rail operations in the New York/New Jersey region of the Northeast Corridor. We reprint it here in its entirety, unedited:

Commentary

The importance of little accidents

You know the kind I mean: the ones where nobody gets hurt, nothing blows up, and nobody shows up, except you.

Commentary

LRT beats BRT on key metrics: FTA

For several decades, U.S. proponents of “bus rapid transit” (so-called BRT) have waged a veritable war against light rail transit (LRT), relying particularly on a claim that BRT is “just like light rail, but cheaper.”

Commentary

Historic female first for NJT Presidential Emergency Board

In a historic first, and in a rail industry whose labor and management leadership ranks long have been dominated by Caucasian males, the first all-female Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) in the 78-year history of PEBs has been created to investigate and make recommendations in a collective bargaining dispute involving New Jersey Transit (NJT) and 16 of its rail labor unions.

Commentary

GUEST BLOG: Michael R. Weinman commentary on AIRNet-21 proposal

The following are comments by Michael R. Weinman, Managing Director, PTSI Transportation, in response to the “reasoned and considered thoughts” expressed by Dr. Francis P. Mulvey in the Guest Blog published by Railway Age on June 30, 2015, “We must do something transformational about Amtrak.” Dr. Mulvey’s original words appear in italics.—William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief, Railway Age

Commentary

GUEST BLOG: We must do something transformational about Amtrak

Amtrak’s May 12th Philadelphia train derailment has renewed focus on funding Amtrak. With more than 200 people injured and eight fatalities, the debate has shifted from “Can we agree to do anything for Amtrak?” to “How much can we agree to do for Amtrak?”

Commentary

Unemployed no more, Elliott returns to STB

Following almost six months of unemployment, and nearly a year of dining on the gristle of uncertainty, Dan Elliott is returning to the Surface Transportation Board following voice-vote Senate confirmation June 22. President Obama previously said he would rename Elliott as agency chairman upon confirmation. Fellow Democrat Deb Miller has been serving as acting chairman of the three-member STB since Jan. 1.

Commentary

When vanishing vistas = vaporized students

High school graduation. Time for friends, family, celebration, and taking senior photos and videos. Lots of young people seek the perfect artistic backdrop: a “vanishing vista.” What better, more artistic vanishing vista is there than railroad tracks diminishing into the distance, right?

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