Railroad News

The Valley Metro Rail Board of Directors has approved a base five-year contract with Alternate Concepts, Inc. (ACI), to provide rail transportation services for the 26-mile system in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, Ariz.

 

3/17/2017    

Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation

3/17/2017    

Rail News: Security

HNTB Corporation has promoted Rob Troup to transit and rail market sector leader for the Northeast Division. The company has also added Mark Niles as senior project manager and associate vice president, based in Washington, D.C.

As an HNTB vice president, Troup is based in the Philadelphia office; he joined the firm in 2016. In his new role, Troup's focus is client development, as well as the management of engineering and design for rail and transit projects in the northeast region.

Rail News Home Security March 2017 Rail News: Security

— By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Senior Associate EditorTransit-rail agencies in recent years have been using data and Internet of Things (IoT) principles to address certain safety and security challenges.For instance, they've installed video systems on locomotives and inside the cabs to capture data that might be used after train derailments, crossing incidents or other safety-related mishaps. Video technology also has been used at passenger-rail stations to catch fare evaders or other criminal activity.As a result, transit-rail agencies have collected a lot of data that typically isn't accessed and evaluated until after an event occurs and an investigation is underway. Now, some agencies are considering how they can use that data to further protect their passengers and assets from harm. One way is accessing the data remotely and turning it into real-time information that railroad operators and security personnel can use to prevent accidents or criminal activity from occurring on trains or in stations, says Larry Jordan, president and chief technology officer at Wi-Tronix LLC, which provides remote monitoring solutions for mobile assets in the rail, marine and mining markets."There are tens of thousands of systems out there that are recording information, but they don't have remote accessibility," Jordan says. "We provide remote accessibility to get that data. Once it's available, we use artificial intelligence and deep learning both on board the vehicle and in the back office to analyze it and merge it with other information to flag or detect exceptions to conditions."Last year, Wi-Tronix introduced "Violet," a combined system comprising a vehicle's event recorder, digital recorder and remote-monitoring platform."Our product combines all the elements needed to move the customer and the industry from recording the information and using it in a post-investigation situation, to using the information in real time to detect threats and determine if those threats are from criminal activity or from unsafe operations or conditions," Jordan says.In the future, transit-rail agencies will be able to use video and data analytics to serve as virtual security guards throughout their railroad to detect security threats, he adds."Passengers certainly feel more safe if there's a transit security officer on the rail car," says Jordan. "We know it's not practical to have human officers stationed on every car. … But the way the technology is evolving, it will be like having a security guard in every compartment of every rail car."Among the many ways the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is stepping up security is through the recent installation of a closed circuit TV (CCTV) surveillance center, where security personnel will be tasked with monitoring video and data gathered from the system."We're going to use video analytics to monitor those critical safety areas to make sure we maintain restricted access and can respond appropriately," says Metro Executive Officer of System Safety and Law Enforcement Alex Wiggins. "We're also looking at patterns of fare evasion. We've trained our cameras to people jumping turnstiles and using emergency exit gates to enter the system."Metra will then catalog that data, which will help the agency determine where to deploy its security resources.Wiggins notes that there’s a strong correlation between individuals who enter the transit system without proof of payment who may also engage in other behavior that could be criminal activity."All that activity affects the ridership experience of our paying customers," he says. "By managing and responding better to people who are paying to enter our system, we anticipate a reduction not just in criminal activity, but in the unpleasant experiences felt by our paying customers."In addition to using data to track fare evaders, Metro recently partnered with the Transportation Security Administration to develop a pilot program that will screen passengers for explosives and other weapons.Wiggins and other Metro officials are reviewing next-generation screening systems that could be installed on the Metro Red Line and at Union Station in Los Angeles. One company whose products Metro is reviewing is Evolv Technology, which offers a threat detection system that the company's website describes as "an adaptable, open architecture, security platform that combines artificial intelligence (AI) and human IQ to provide unprecedented protection."The agency is seeking a technology that can accurately screen 600 to 800 passengers per hour so as not to delay their travel schedules.Similar to a security screening at an airport, the checkpoint system would use low-intensity millimeter wave technology to detect anomalies on a person’s exterior."If the anomaly is not organic, the system will pick up and display that image to the operator. Then, of course, law enforcement would interdict if something needs to be investigated further," Wiggins says.Metro is seeking a portable screening system that can be moved for use at gates, on platforms and at building access points."Our ultimate goal over the next several years is to continue to test technology so that when we need to deploy random screening, we can do it in a way that’s efficient and doesn’t interfere with our customers' travel plans, but at the same time helps keep us all secure," adds Wiggins.Email questions or comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Keywords Browse articles on Wi-Tronix LLC Larry Jordan Transit-rail security Internet of Things IoT Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Alex Wiggins Transportation Security Administration Evolv Technology Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

3/16/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

3/16/2017    

Rail News: Internet-Digital

3/16/2017    

Rail News: Mechanical

3/16/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

The Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released a status update today on railroads' progress implementing positive train control (PTC) systems in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The status update, based on railroad-submitted quarterly data, shows freight railroads continue to make consistent progress while passenger industry progress in installing and activating the life-saving technology only slightly increased.

The Trump Administration released its proposed 2017 budget, which includes reducing funds to the U.S. Department of Transportation and eliminating Amtrak's long distance train funding, as well as popular transportation grants.

 

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report regarding the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) planning of SafeTrack, a large-scale rehabilitation project for its rail infrastructure.

 

3/16/2017    

Rail News: Rail Industry Trends

Gannett Fleming Canada ULC is expanding its transportation practice with the addition of three experienced professionals to its Toronto office: David Bannister, Yousef Kimiagar and Magdy Samaan.

 

3/16/2017    

Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation

Former New York MTA Chairman and CEO Tom Prendergast was honored as Railway Age's 54th Railroader of the Year at a dinner of the Western Railway Club on March 14 at the historic Union League Club, Chicago.

 

Rail News Home MOW March 2017 Rail News: MOW

Drones can be used to inspect portions of rail bridges that otherwise would be inaccessible.Photo – Unmanned Experts Inc. — By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Associate EditorFor years, railroads have been exploring automation to help improve overall operations. To that end, they've invested in a host of new technologies, such as Machine Vision, predictive analytics and driverless train systems — to name just a few examples.The next chapter in the rail automation story may involve unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), more commonly known as drones.These versatile, often camera-equipped devices could help railroads tackle everything from track inspection to yard security to vegetation management, UAV industry experts say. Although the technology holds promise for the rail industry, a few challenges remain, including regulatory and data management issues."We like to say that using a drone is better, faster, cheaper and safer," says Dennis Wierzbicki, rail industry adviser for Unmanned Experts Inc., which conducts rail-bridge inspections with UAVs and offers general drone consulting and training.Because drones are small and nimble, they can more easily access places that otherwise would be precarious to reach. That means less risk of injury for railroad workers, Wierzbicki says.Plus, drones can withstand a range of weather conditions, including wind, low temperatures and moderate rain or snow.“You don't need to be on the track or suspended hundreds of feet over the ground. You don't need to be out in the elements," Wierzbicki says.Drones also produce a dizzying array of data about the assets they're monitoring. Finding a way to sort, understand and leverage that data remains a challenge, says BNSF Railway Co. Telecom Director Todd Graetz, who oversees the railroad's drone program and operations.Data overloadSo, the Class I has co-developed a suite of software to help manage, analyze and distribute all the information its drones collect."We are constantly exploring new ways to further leverage the massive amounts of data our UAVs gather daily," Graetz adds.In May 2015, BNSF was chosen as one of three companies to participate in the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Pathfinder program, which is aimed at exploring the commercial use of UAVs. The other two companies: national news channel CNN and drone maker PrecisionHawk.And in October that same year, the Class I partnered with drone manufacturer Insitu Inc. for the railroad's first long-range drone flight.At the moment, Insitu doesn't have any active programs with BNSF, but the company remains open to working with the railroad in the future, says Paul McDuffee, Insitu's associate vice president of government relations and strategy.Other rail clients also reached out to Insitu following the company's work with BNSF, says McDuffee, though he declined to name them.For BNSF, drones have provided another layer of safety to operations, Graetz says. For example, the railroad can use a small rotorcraft to inspect bridges and gain perspective from vantage points that previously were inaccessible.A better viewThe Class I uses two kinds of UAVs: a multirotor aircraft and a hybrid fixed wing model. Both are equipped with sensors that can deliver infrared data, along with high-definition video and photos.The multirotor aircraft is operated at lower altitudes to examine areas around and underneath bridges."These aircrafts are excellent tools to supplement our bridge inspection processes," Graetz says. "Particularly for large bridges, or bridges over waterways and canyons, our inspectors and engineers are able to see what can be the most difficult places to reach on a more frequent basis."BNSF workers deploy a multirotor drone to 
inspect a rail bridge. Photo – BNSF Railway Co.

3/15/2017    

Rail News: Supplier Spotlight

3/15/2017    

Rail News: Amtrak

3/15/2017    

Rail News: Mechanical