Transit Tech Lab

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Sept. 18 reported that Amtrak and the USRC Boards of Directors unanimously agreed to approve the terms of a renegotiated cooperative agreement restoring federal control of Washington Union Station. (Image Courtesy of the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/USRC, Transit Tech Lab, CTA, NJT, Sound Transit, NCTD

Amtrak and Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) agree to restore federal management of Washington Union Station. Also, Transit Tech Lab releases proof-of-concept results that address ridership improvement, plus inspection and maintenance challenges; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) officially launches Naloxone Vending Machines pilot; New Jersey Transit (NJT) expands FARE-PAY cards to all three light rail systems and all buses; Seattle’s Sound Transit celebrates 25 years of Sounder commuter rail service; and Southern California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) is marking 50 years of service.

NYC Transit Tech Lab Announces 2025 Project Partners

The New York City Transit Tech Lab, a joint initiative of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Partnership Fund for New York City, has selected 12 companies to collaborate with regional transit agencies for eight-week proof-of-concept tests of technologies designed to “optimize transit schedules, communications, inspections, and maintenance.” In addition to the MTA, the agencies include the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ), NJ Transit and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT).

TTL Selects 13 Companies to Continue Partnering With Transit Agencies

The Transit Tech Lab (TTL) on Feb. 10 announced that the 13 companies selected to participate in last year’s program will continue to work with regional transportation agency partners in larger-scale pilots to “demonstrate how their technology can improve transportation and deliver essential services more effectively.”

the Canadian government late last year “requested an extension on bids” to construct a dedicated HFR corridor between Toronto and Quebec, according to The Canadian Press.

Transit Briefs: HFR Corridor, SacRT, Brightline, LIRR, TTL

Will the High Frequency Rail (HFR) in Canada be delayed? Also, Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) receives the final funding needed to construct the Dos Rios Station; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, will boost capacity between Miami and West Palm Beach; MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) reports the strongest year in its nearly 200-year history; and applications are now being accepted for Transit Tech Lab’s challenges with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ), New Jersey Transit (NJT), and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT).

FLX Solutions worked with 28 MTA and NJT employees to determine the best maintenance tasks for its FLX BOT, which is described as a “handheld robot that enables maintenance and inspection in hard-to-reach locations.” (Photograph Courtesy of Transit Tech Lab)

Transit Tech Lab Releases Latest Challenge Results

The Transit Tech Lab, a joint initiative of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Partnership Fund for New York City, has released the proof-of-concept results for its three latest challenges.

Transit Tech Lab Releases Results for Human Capital, Operational Efficiency Challenges

The New York MTA/Partnership for New York City Transit Tech Lab on Jan. 22 released the results of its 2023 human capital and operational efficiency challenges. The 13 winners, including Humatics, TekTracking and Wi-Tronix, each completed proof-of-concept collaborations with area transit agencies, which aim to use their LiDAR (light detection and ranging), AI (artificial intelligence), and IoT (Internet of Things) technologies “to mitigate service disruptions, automate operations, and combat workforce shortages,” Transit Tech Lab reported.

Metrolinx’s East Harbour Transit Hub in Toronto will be located on the Lakeshore East and Stouffville GO Transit rail lines. The station will provide connections to the Ontario Line subway and future Toronto Transit Commission services. (Rendering Courtesy of Metrolinx)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, Transit Tech Lab, WMATA

The Rail Connect Partners joint venture has entered into an alliance development agreement with Toronto’s Metrolinx for the East Harbour Transit Hub. Also, New York regional transportation agencies launch their sixth-annual tech competition; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) celebrates a transit-oriented development project at the North Bethesda Metro Station in Maryland.