Railway Track & Structures - March 2009 - (Page 8)

I N D U S T R Y T O D AY parked for extended periods of time. Metra and Union Pacific have studied station improvement initiatives across the country. They note that the West Line safety infrastructure incorporates the best practices, creating the most comprehensive safety system of any commuter rail operation in the U.S., including: • An enhanced pedestrian train warning system called, “Another Train Warning System” (ATWS). • Additional pedestrian gates. • Improved pedestrian flow control. • Inter track fencing. • Brighter, more conspicuous platform signs. • Eliminated mid-platform pedestrian crossings. The ATWS system will be the first of its kind in the U.S. to be fully implemented at stations along a commuter line. This system warns pedestrians at crossings adjacent to stations that “another train” is approaching or present, with a combination of audio and visual alerts. This system will be installed in addition to pedestrian crossing gates at station grade crossings. Environmental benefits from the project include improved locomotive fuel efficiency. Benefits also include reduced locomotive and vehicle emissions as a result of improved train flow and less engine idling. UP locomotives will use up to 160,000 fewer gallons of diesel fuel per year. That’s enough fuel for a typical Union Pacific train to travel the circumference of the Earth almost two times. Station improvements will be completed in three segments, with estimated completion of the first two segments near the end of 2009 or in early 2010. The third segment is scheduled to be completed near the end of 2010. The segments are: Segment I – Maywood, Melrose Park, Bellwood and Berkeley. Segment II – Winfield, Geneva. Segment III – Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, College Avenue and Wheaton. Dulles rail construction coming this year Since January 2008, drivers through and to Tysons Corner, Va., have watched as crews worked to relocate more than 21 different utilities in preparation for the actual construction of the long-awaited 23-mile extension of Metro's Orange Line. The extension will eventually provide a one-seat ride from Dulles Airport to downtown Washington. Utility work will continue through 2009 and will overlap with general construction beginning in March along the Phase 1 alignment. Phase 1, which will cost $2.6 billion, will serve Tysons Corner with four stations and Reston with one station at Wiehle Avenue. Phase 1 will be completed in 2013. Phase 2 will run from Wiehle Avenue to Route 772 in Ashburn, including six stops along the Correction In the story “Track settlement at bridge approaches” in the February issue of RT&S, the order of the authors was reversed. It should be Don Plotkin, FRA, and Dave Davis, TTCI. 8 Railway Track & Structures March 2009 www.rtands.com http://www.rtands.com

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Railway Track & Structures - March 2009 Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D NRC Smashes Attendance Bridge Inspection Battling Bugs Ballast Fundamentals Vital to Keeping Track in Shape Products and Literature People Calendar Sales Representatives Advertisers Index Website Directory Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

Railway Track & Structures - March 2009

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