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For TTC, a New Grade Crossing Test Bed

Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
More than 50 miles of railroad track and specialized laboratories for testing locomotives, vehicles, track components and signaling devices comprise the FRA Transportation Technology Center facilities. (Photo by William C. Vantuono)

More than 50 miles of railroad track and specialized laboratories for testing locomotives, vehicles, track components and signaling devices comprise the FRA Transportation Technology Center facilities. (Photo by William C. Vantuono)

A new grade crossing test bed to “evaluate and demonstrate emerging safety technologies” is in the planning stages at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Technology Center (TTC), according to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and ENSCO, Inc.

FRA’s TTC will be integral to advancing global safety initiatives, such as the new grade crossing test bed, by providing safe, reliable and confidential research and testing services at the [Pueblo, Colo.] site,” ENSCO Program Manager Eric Sherrock said during the June 10 announcement. 

Sherrock gave a tour of TTC to representatives of the FRA; Operation Lifesaver; Association of American Railroads; International Union of Railways; American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association; and other groups during the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) International Conference, held June 8-10 in Pueblo. He also provided an overview of TTC activities beginning Oct. 1, 2022, when ENSCO will be officially responsible for overall site management. (The move to ENSCO was announced in March 2021.)

Also in attendance were FRA Deputy Administrator Jennifer Mitchell—selected by Railway Age readers for Honorable Mention as part of the 2022 “Most Influential Leaders” poll—and Maryam Allahyar, Director of FRA’s Office of Research, Development and Technology, who provided a briefing on the history and capabilities of TTC.

“FRA and ENSCO are committed to confidentiality of data and information generated by all site users,” Sherrock reported. “This fosters innovation by the industry and FRA is committed to TTC being used to facilitate innovative solutions to improve safety.”

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