May/June 2024 - 14

Special Report: Passenger Rail
365 days as potential solutions to aid
commuter railroads.
" Extending the 30-day implementation
window to 365 days will ensure
commuter railroads in the U.S. can have
the time necessary to secure the additional
coverage and allow them to operate
with confidence. Stabilizing the U.S.
insurance market will allow taxpayer
money to stay within the borders of the
United States. We need both solutions
for a prosperous future for commuter
rail, " wrote Gallagher.
Further Safety Enhancements
Rail has statistically been a safe travel
mode. The Bureau of Transportation
Statistics shows injuries per 100 million
passenger train-miles fell from 1,639.6
-the highest level during the past 10
years-to 547.7 in 2023. Fatalities per
100 million passenger train-miles fell
from 6.7 in 2022 to 0.9 in 2023.
While ambassador programs and increased
levels of security personnel have
Low Profile Bi-Directional Portable Derail
The LP-TSX bi-directional derail incorporates the same, proven, overall
design as the LP- TS Derail, with a low above top of rail height to clear
locomotive pilots. The LP-TSX is the first genuinely bi-directional portable
derail that once installed on the rail, it is equally effective when struck
from either direction. There is no wedge to reposition, nor will the derail
slide on the rail, if struck from the trailing end.
enhanced safety, rail transit and passenger railroads have also
been embracing technology to support their commitment to
operating safely and providing a safe environment in which
to travel and work.
At the end of June, at the conclusion of a mandatory 90-day
advance notice, New York City (NYC) will be piloting electromagnetic
weapons detection technology to spot weapons
carried by travelers onto the MTA system. NYC Mayor Eric
Adams says the New York Police Department seized 1,515
weapons in the subway system in 2023, which is an increase
from the 947 weapons seized in the previous year. The pilot
program will be rolled out to designated subway stations
where it will be evaluated.
Across the Hudson River, New Jersey Transit will be using
a Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation
Grant (SMART) from USDOT to work with Rutgers University
Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation to
develop artificial intelligence-based systems to improve safety
at light-rail grade crossings by reducing accidents at crossings
and rights of way. Stage 1 of the project will prototype a tailored
artificial intelligence-powered technology solution consisting
of stationary cameras at five light-rail grade crossings and
forward-facing cameras in one Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
vehicle. Stage 2 of the project will see the technology installed
at 50 crossings and five light-rail vehicles.
On the West Coast, Metrolink will use its SMART grant
to develop and demonstrate a track intrusion detection
By the
numbers
13,950
miles
Number of track
miles transit
authorities operate
in the U.S.
Source: NTD 2022 Track
and Roadway
8,962 miles
Number of rail
transit grade
Light weight - approximately 60 pounds w/o flag
Can be padlocked in the derailing position
Resists sliding - unique, patented, design holds derail securely to rail
Rugged - fabricated from high strength alloy steel
Easy to install - requires no special tools
Equipped with a highly visible warning flag
Fits rail 75 to 141 pounds
WESTERN-CULLEN-HAYES, INC.
2700 W. 36th Place * Chicago, IL 60632
(773) 254-9600 * Fax (773) 254-1110
Web Site: www.wch.com E-mail:wch@wch.com
For more information, visit www.MassTransitmag.com/10065991
14 Mass Transit | MAY/JUNE 2024
6MASS_Western Cullen Hayes.indd 1
4/30/24 2:28 PM
25%
crossings in the U.S.
Source: NTD 2022 Track
and Roadway
Non-ADA
Accessible
Stations
1,426.4
miles
Number of elevated
track miles transit
75%
ADA
Accessible
Stations
authorities operate
in the U.S.
Source: NTD 2022 Track
and Roadway
NTD 2022 Transit Stations
47%
Non-ADA
Accessible
Stations
48%
ADA
Accessible
Stations
U.S. Station
Accessibility
% of total stations
25%
Non-ADA
Accessible
Stations
75%
ADA
Accessible
Stations
% of total legacy stations
http://www.wch.com http://www.MassTransitmag.com/10065991
May/June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2024
