Roger Fisk

🚆 California Awards $1.3 Billion in Transit and Intercity Rail Funding! 🚆 In a big boost for California's transportation infrastructure, the state has awarded $1.3 billion in funding through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP). This funding is set to support projects across transit and rail systems, aimed at improving connectivity, sustainability, and accessibility throughout California. Some of the major goals for this investment include: 🌍 Reducing Emissions: By enhancing public transit, California is making strides toward its climate goals, helping to reduce congestion and emissions. 🏙️ Expanding Access: New transit routes and intercity rail improvements will provide better access for residents across urban and rural areas. 🔧 Modernising Infrastructure: With aging transit infrastructure, this funding is crucial for upgrading systems to meet current and future demands. At NEO International, we see this as a transformative step forward for rail and transit infrastructure in the U.S., and we’re excited to support businesses involved in these projects. Through NEO Construct and NEO Mission Critical, we connect skilled professionals with the projects that will shape the future of sustainable transportation. This investment is not only a win for California but also a signal of the growing importance of sustainable and resilient infrastructure across the nation. We’re ready to help power these changes by delivering the talent that makes it all possible. 💬 Interested in learning more about how NEO International can support your infrastructure projects? Let’s connect and discuss how we can bring the right expertise to your team. #Transit #Infrastructure #Rail #California #SustainableTransportation #NEOConstruct #NEOMissionCritical #TalentAcquisition #GreenJobs #FutureOfTransportation #NEOInternational #PositivelyImpactingPeople

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To my RR colleagues A comment or two A tool kit for testing alternatives Monetizes costs and benefits using birth suggested and/or user variables. It is NOT a prescribed plan for construction. It suggests different ways to test for how sharing risks and rewards can alter the investment outcome when and if choosing OCS technology. On corridors the user organization(s) select to consider. Yet, it is NOT an optimization model. It doesn’t pick a best choice. User interaction and thinking are required. I am one of the 4-authors. Cheers! Jim.

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Check out this terrific piece by Smart Cities Dive that focuses on USHSR's new high-speed rail start-up advocacy guide. We especially want to thank lead author and USHSR Coalition member Bernard Cohen of ACI. As the author notes, initiating a high-speed rail line is "not for the faint-hearted." https://lnkd.in/gm-5tkme

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Part 1 Credit to Nolan Hicks Oct. 15, 2024 The Unbuilt Bridge That’s Strangling Penn Station https://lnkd.in/gmMTnZ6Z A transportation system is a link to a link to a link to a link. In the case of the Northeast Corridor rail line, it’s a choke point to a choke point to a choke point. The best-known one of those bottlenecks — the ancient, fragile tunnel under the Hudson that brings trains into Penn Station — is the focus of the Gateway Project, whereby the federal government, New York, and New Jersey are spending $16 billion to double the number of trains that can fit and improve their reliability. It is inarguably necessary, and it should have been built long ago. In fact, it nearly was. But the number of trains that can reach those tunnels will be the same as it is currently, 24 per hour in each direction, unless we deal with a second choke point: a bridge, way out past Secaucus, that carries trains to the tubes. Right now, they go over the Portal Bridge, built in 1910, spottily maintained through its long life, and currently being replaced at a cost of $2.4 billion. Those dollars are well spent. The old bridge needs to swing open every time a ship passes and regularly gets stuck, jamming up the whole Northeast Corridor. The new Portal North Bridge will be higher, so it won’t have to open and close, and it also won’t be a century and a quarter old. But it has only two tracks, same as the old one, and thus will add no capacity. What’s needed is a parallel span with two more tracks. It’s on the drawing board, known as the Portal South Bridge, and it is paired with a line extension, the Harrison Fourth Track. The bridge is completely unfunded — it would cost $2.5 billion, about as much as its northern partner — and the Harrison work is millions short. The $63 billion that “Amtrak Joe” Biden got into the infrastructure bill for passenger rail has all been allocated or spent, most of it on 50 years’ catchup work. Finding more money will require another act of Congress — and the forthcoming Congress will likely have at least one chamber controlled by Republicans, who have long been hostile to transit funding in general and Amtrak in particular. Getting this second span built then is going to require, in addition to electoral luck, a compelling case that’s been scrubbed and bulletproofed against the inevitable pushback.

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Reason #7: Short Line Eligibility CRISI is the only major infrastructure grant program where short line railroads are eligible applicants. Seven Reasons to Love CRISI Grants via Railway Age https://lnkd.in/emj-Mxby

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📌 Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT Addressing Service Delays ⏳ #Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT are proactively investigating the root causes of service #delays in New Jersey and New York Penn Station.This examination focuses on parts of the Northeast Corridor (NEC), with the goal of improving reliability and on-time service. 📋 Details - Extensive inspections of #catenary systems, signals, and switches, alongside NJ TRANSIT equipment, particularly the pantographs. - Installation of high-resolution #cameras at key stations for detailed inspection of pantographs. - Expansion of #helicopter inspection programs to capture high-resolution images for meticulous review. - Ongoing #consultations with industry experts to identify and address chronic delay issues. - Testing enhancements for transformers, and expanding overnight work windows for accelerated repairs. - Regular reports detailing progress and identified issues. Source: Rtands #Infrastructure #PublicTransport #NJTRANSIT _ _ _ 👍 Like if you find value, re-post ♻️, and follow for more interesting tech, and innovation insights.

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The American Planning Association - New York Metropolitan Chapter (APA-NYM) strongly supports the implementation of congestion pricing, which was delayed from going into effect on June 30th. This policy is the culmination of over a decade of collaborative efforts by hundreds of planners from various firms and city and state agencies. These planners have invested thousands of hours working closely with elected officials, the public, and other stakeholders within a structured framework set forth by elected officials to refine and develop a viable congestion pricing policy. Congestion Pricing aims to provide essential resources to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for improving transit, and transportation accessibility, and addressing core environmental justice issues, particularly in the Bronx. The APA-NYM continues to endorse this policy, recognizing its development through extensive planning and stakeholder engagement. While acknowledging that no policy or program is perfect, congestion pricing has undergone rigorous environmental review and as the MTA has stated, there is no current alternative to make the necessary improvements to sustain the transportation system. Planners have done their work. The environmental review has been completed without successful challenges in court. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent to install the cameras and infrastructure that stand ready to be active. Absent an alternative, we continue to support a process that proceeds as envisioned. #congestionpricing #planning #apanym #apa #cityplanning

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The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the U.S. DOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center have released the "Strategic Transit Automation Research Plan 2.0: 2023-2028," outlining the future of transit bus automation. This report highlights the significant advancements and ongoing efforts in driving automation systems for public transportation. Read the full report here: FTA Report No. 0264 - https://lnkd.in/gvPF5-VF We are proud to see Perrone Robotics referenced in the report, reflecting our active role in various innovative projects aimed at enhancing transit services with automated vehicle technologies. #TransitAutomation #AutonomousVehicles #PublicTransportation #Innovation

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Agree or Disagree? FREQUENCY is better than FREE to drive increased #transit use, and low income ticket programs are a better way to make transit more accessible and to create mobility and opportunity without the unwanted secondary issues from #FareFreeTransit, such as social problems moving onto the vehicle making travel unwelcoming and the reduction of revenue making higher frequency service unaffordable. https://lnkd.in/eqAvHGXD

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🚆 Train data alert! FRA published its quarterly report on intercity passenger train performance, covering Jan-Mar 2024. This report provides data on Amtrak passenger train operations, including customer on-time performance and delays.    You can read the report here: https://lnkd.in/gcB29tX5 

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"Weekend ridership is off the charts." There's an important lesson here for commuter rail systems (like SunRail!) and all transit agencies. Ridership growth exists outside the old M-F/9-5 commuter base. Transit must evolve to meet post-pandemic transportation demand, which includes mid-day, late night, and weekend trips. https://lnkd.in/eeJ5AJxu

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This #SCDOT video explains why #utility issues often cause significant delays to #transportation #infrastructure #construction projects. #road #highway #roadway #multimodal #rightofway #stateDOT https://lnkd.in/exfJn5mp

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BRT projects can contribute to enhanced #mobility by providing efficient, accessible and sustainable #transportation. HNTB's Sean Libberton and E. Gregory Thorpe, PE share insights on a collaborative program management approach that can streamline delivery to bring that vision to reality. https://bit.ly/3xM7eS5

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The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that makes available $2.03 billion in Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program Funding for Projects Located on the Northeast Corridor (Fed State-NEC). The corridor supports 800,000 passengers per day and billions of dollars in annual economic activity.  The available funding builds on historic Northeast Corridor investments by the Biden-Harris Administration, including funding to advance major projects like the Gateway Program Hudson River Tunnel Project in New York and New Jersey, the Fredrick Douglass Tunnel and Susquehanna River Bridge Replacement Programs in Maryland, the Connecticut River Bridge Replacement in Connecticut and the New York Penn Station Access Project.  “Thousands of passengers travel along the Northeast Corridor every day and the Biden-Harris Administration is funding much-needed improvements to this vital rail corridor,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With more than $2 billion becoming available today, we will build on investments initiated last year and continue propelling America’s busiest passenger rail corridor towards greater speed, safety and reliability.”  In 2023, FRA awarded $16.4 billion for 25 projects of national significance along the corridor, which runs from Boston, Mass., to Washington, D.C. The investments will rebuild tunnels and bridges that are more than 100 years old; upgrade tracks, power systems, signals, stations and other infrastructure and advance future projects to significantly improve travel times by increasing operating speeds and reducing delays.   “The president’s investments in rail will be felt by generations to come, beginning with immediate benefits to communities and continuing to ensure essential rail corridors like the Northeast Corridor are modern, safe and convenient, giving Americans access to world-class passenger service,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “We are thrilled to announce the opening of the Fed State-NEC’s notice of funding to applicants within the NEC Project Inventory, streamlining the process for much-needed funding based on demand.”   Competitive funding through the Fed State-NEC program is guided by FRA’s NEC Project Inventory, which identifies and prioritizes projects along the corridor. The NEC Project Inventory serves as a project pipeline to assist Amtrak, states and the public in long-term capital planning for the NEC. NEC Projects must be included in the latest version of the inventory to be eligible for Fed State-NEC funding.   Applications for funding are due July 14. Fed State-NEC Program requirements, as well as the evaluation and selection criteria for grant selections are outlined in the NOFO. FRA will also support applicants with web-based training and live technical assistance. 

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U.S. DOT Announces SMART Grants Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that it is accepting applications for the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. As a part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the program will fund up to $500 million in grants over five years to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced technologies and systems to improve transportation safety and efficiency. “The SMART Grant program has helped communities, states, and tribes across America deploy new kinds of transportation technology solutions to improve safety and resilience,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “As the program enters its third year of funding, we’re excited for even more communities to get funding and support to develop technological solutions to their most pressing transportation challenges.” USDOT will accept applications for Stage 1 Planning and Prototyping grants. During Stage 1, the SMART program will fund technology demonstrations and prototypes that solve real-world transportation problems and build data and technology capacity for State, local, and Tribal governments. Later this year, recipients of Stage 1 grants will be eligible to expand their projects through the first of several Stage 2 grant opportunities. The funding opportunity is open to public sector entities seeking to carry out transportation projects that demonstrate at least one of the following technology areas: Coordinated automation Connected vehicles Sensors Systems integration Delivery/logistics Innovative aviation Smart grid Traffic signals “From Alaska to Maine to Puerto Rico, the SMART program has supported locally driven solutions across the country to make communities safer for all users and more connected and accessible. The popularity of this program demonstrates the demand for purpose-driven technology solutions, and we are excited to open the opportunity for another round of applications,” said Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and Chief Scientist at USDOT.

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Thinking about #transit projects? Check out this guide for effective planning and public participation! #CommunityEngagement is key. We've summarized insights from transit agencies into a roadmap with four steps for community-focused mobility. https://hubs.la/Q02W2xQl0

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Driving Transformation and Inclusiveness: Berkshire Regional Transit Authority's Strategic Grant Utilization The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is poised to leverage federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aiming to modernize transit and enhance employment and wage conditions. With $108 billion designated for public transit until 2026, BRTA can pioneer sustainable, inclusive solutions that boost local and national employment. Innovating for Efficiency and Environmental Responsibility BRTA plans to introduce innovative transit options like Micro-Transit systems and hydrogen vehicles, funded by federal grants. These initiatives will enhance accessibility and efficiency, expanding service reach and engaging a diverse user base. The move towards hydrogen vehicles underscores BRTA's commitment to environmental sustainability, positioning it as a leader in clean transit technology. Enhancing Wages and Employment Opportunities BRTA is addressing wage improvements and employment by integrating these goals into their grant strategies. This approach aligns with trends in other regions, like North Carolina, where transit-related grants are increasingly used to enhance economic conditions for workers, addressing unemployment and underemployment. Focused Grant Opportunities BRTA targets specific grants to align with service enhancement and employment goals: Low or No Emission Grant Program: Supports zero-emission bus purchases, creating maintenance and operational jobs with competitive wages. Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program: Funds not just fleet updates but also facility improvements, boosting local construction and engineering jobs. Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Formula: Ensures services are inclusive, creating specialized job roles for managing and operating these services. Capital Investment Grants - 5309: Supports large-scale infrastructure projects, stimulating employment from construction to transit operations. Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM): Encourages innovation like Micro Transit and supports economic growth by increasing jobs in tech and customer service. These focused efforts will not only meet immediate community needs but also lay a foundation for sustainable economic and social development.

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US TRAFFIC MODELLING: A BLACK BOX GONE BAD? The recent edition of Dissent Magazine has an interesting discussion about the state of US traffic modelling. The problem the authors - Joseph Cortright and Benjamin Ross - raise is above my pay grade but one one of the questions they infer is, perhaps transportation planners / traffic engineers / community leadership are trying too hard to forecast the future? We can all agree that the last 20 years there have been at least 2 major world wide events that have derailed our future forecasts: both professional and personal. The one point they raised that we can all agree with is "Indeed, the best possible forecast may be one that forgoes elaborate computations altogether: in crowded urban areas, traffic congestion will remain the same, whether highways get wider or narrower. This prediction is far from perfect; no one doubts, for instance, that widening a highway at a bottleneck point can move the traffic jam elsewhere. But in our experience, it is substantially more accurate on average than current traffic modeling." Students of traffic engineering and planning go talk among yourselves and with your professors about this topic. https://lnkd.in/gkFn4dcB

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