July-August 2022 - 6

PEOPLE & PLACES
THE LASTEST INDUSTRY NEWS
which will help GRT as it continues to
expand service frequency and services
into new areas and communities within
the region. The new building includes
22 maintenance bays, two service lanes,
two bus wash stations and office space
for GRT staff. The building will also support
GRT's transition to a zero-emission
bus fleet and will be home of the new
electric buses and charging infrastructure
pilot in 2023.
MassTransitmag.com/21274600
PURDUE UNIVERSITY was awarded the first-place prize for its EASI RIDER project.
Purdue University
USDOT names three winners of
Inclusive Design Challenge
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) named the first, second
and third place winners of its first Inclusive Design Challenge. The challenge
launched more than two years ago to spur innovation in automated
vehicle accessibility. The $5 million Inclusive Design Challenge awarded
its first place $1 million prize to Purdue University, the second-place prize
of $700,000 was awarded to AbleLink Smart Living Technologies and the
third-place prize of $300,000 was awarded to the University of Maine.
The multi-stage program began in January 2020 with a Request for Information
where applicants submitted their projects in writing. In January
2021, USDOT awarded $3 million to 10 semifinalists in the challenge to
develop prototypes of their design with the final winners selected from
these projects.
MassTransitmag.com/21275514
Grand River Transit
THE NORTHFIELD Drive Maintenance
Facility will support the
modernization and growth of transit
in the Region of Waterloo.
GRT celebrates opening
of Northfield Drive
Maintenance Facility
▶ Grand River Transit (GRT) celebrated
the grand opening of the new Northfield
Drive Maintenance Facility, which will
support the modernization and growth
of transit in the Region of Waterloo. After
years of expanding service and growing
ridership, GRT has outgrown two other
maintenance and storage facilities in
Kitchener and Cambridge. With space
for 200 buses, the 305,000-square-foot
facility can house articulated buses,
6 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | JULY/AUGUST 2022
FTA issues NOFO for rail station
accessibility program
▶ The Federal Transit Administration
(FTA) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity
for $343 million available through
the All Stations Accessibility Program
(ASAP). According to the National Transit
Database, approximately 927 U.S. rail
stations - about a quarter of all U.S.
rail stations - are non-ADA accessible.
However, when the data isolates legacy
systems constructed prior to 1990, the
percentage jumps to 48 percent being
non-ADA accessible. ASAP targets legacy
rail systems where transit riders with
support devices such as wheelchairs or
crutches, people experiencing a temporary
disability, caregivers and parents
with strollers are adversely impacted
by the lack of ADA accommodations.
Applications will be accepted through
Sept. 30, 2022.
MassTransitmag.com/21275331
MTA announces universal subway
wireless connectivity plan
▶ A public-private partnership was announced
by the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (MTA) to provide cell
coverage throughout all 418 track miles
of subway tunnels, along with an expansion
of Wi-Fi service to all 191 aboveground
subway and 21 Staten Island Railway
stations. All underground stations
currently have cell service and Wi-Fi. The
proposed agreement would expand this
to provide connectivity in the tunnels
between stations and in above-ground
stations. Overall, the project is expected
to result in more than $1 billion in benefit
for the MTA and its customers over the
life of the agreement in terms of service
provided, additional revenue and cost
savings. Work on the project will begin
immediately and be completed in 10
years. Riders will be able to use the new
services as each section is completed.
MassTransitmag.com/21275524
Continued ▶
http://www.MassTransitmag.com/21274600 http://www.MassTransitmag.com/21275331 http://www.MassTransitmag.com/21275514 http://www.MassTransitmag.com/21275524 http://www.MassTransitmag.com
July-August 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July-August 2022
