Operation Lifesaver, Inc., the national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting safety at railroad crossings and along railroad rights-of-way, has developed new materials for its trained volunteer speakers to use in safety presentations with students in kindergarten through middle school.
On Dec. 18, 2017, Amtrak 501, the first Cascades passenger train operating over the Point Defiance Bypass in Washington State, careened off the rails as it entered a 30-mph speed-restricted curve at 80 mph. The investigations into the accident’s cause may take a year, even two.
The Railroad Engineering and Safety program at the University of Delaware is offering a new, interactive program focusing on the organization and fundamental operations of passenger railways, March 7-8, 2018, at the university’s Newark, Del., campus.
Network Rail Consulting (NRC) has appointed Mitch Alderman as Vice President, North America-West. He will focus on business development, working with NRC’s business development specialists to find and secure new growth opportunities. He will also oversee and support work with existing clients.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has awarded Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) a contract with for an integrated mobile app in support of the TAP regional contactless fare system. TAP links 24 transit agencies across the Los Angeles region, and the mobile app “will provide travelers with a range of convenience tools to enhance their daily commute,” CTS said.
New Jersey Transit Executive Director Steve Santoro, who has spent 18 years with the agency, submitted his resignation to New Jersey Transportation Commissioner Rick Hammer on Jan. 5. He will be leaving in April and said he is “committed to ensuring a smooth transition for the new administration” of incoming Governor Phil Murphy.
Jennifer Ryan, a longtime rail project engineer and winner of Railway Age’s inaugural Women in Rail award, has joined Parsons as a Senior Project Manager, Rail, in the corporation’s Irvine, Calif., office.
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, will not seek re-election in November 2018, the mid-term elections.
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Elaine Chao sent a form letter to 47 Class 1, intercity and state and local transit authorities to stress the urgency and importance of implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) by Dec. 31, 2018.
Brightline, Florida’s new private passenger operator, has announced that it will launch an introductory service between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach during the week of Jan. 8.