FTA awards grants to improve rail system safety

The Federal Transit Administration earlier this month announced the award of $7.5 million in Safety Research and Demonstration Program grant funds to 10 projects in nine states that explore technologies and practices to prevent safety hazards on rail transit systems.

The rail-related grants awarded include:

• $3,450,907 to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City to research bio-mechanics modeling and energy-absorbing materials to reduce injuries and fatalities following collisions involving people and trains.
• $1,183,091 to the Chicago Transit Authority to install safety features and warning labels at the electrified third rail at Oakton Skokie Station.
• $825,506 to the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District Of Oregon (Tri-Met) to design a risk ranking evaluation tool for rail crossing safety improvements. The improvements will include upgrading cameras to document risks and incidents at grade crossings on Tri-Met's MAX light-rail system.
• $742,000 to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority in Philadelphia to install an automated employee protection system.
• $675,000 to the Maryland Department of Transportation to expand its track warning and detection pilot program to five additional stations in the Baltimore Metro system. The technology will instantly alert train operators when someone is on the tracks.
• $357,072 to Rutgers University in New Jersey to research and analyze trespasser detection at New Jersey Transit grade crossings to reduce fatalities. New artificial intelligence technology will gather data and help transit agencies develop trespasser avoidance solutions.
• $224,000 to the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to identify strategies to prevent and mitigate suicides along UTA's FrontRunner commuter-rail system and TRAX light-rail corridors.
• $56,080 to the Charlotte Area Transit System in North Carolina to install signs and develop a public education campaign for the CityLYNX Gold streetcar line. The project will educate riders and residents about the importance of pedestrian safety along the route.