Sofia Berger

📌 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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On the Move: Strengthening Transit and Transportation  As #InfrastructureWeek unfolds, Group PMX proudly joins the chorus in raising awareness about the critical role of infrastructure in how we all live, work, and play. We begin by spotlighting efforts to fortify the NY region’s rail and transit systems. A robust transit system isn’t just about moving from point A to B. It’s the backbone of economic vitality and community unity. Let’s advocate for smart, well-planned projects that cut emissions, alleviate congestion, spur economic growth, and enhance safety and quality of life. Our commitment extends beyond mere advocacy—we actively collaborate to address our nation’s toughest challenges, working with esteemed clients, such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NJ TRANSIT, Amtrak, and The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and premier partners, including WSP in the U.S., HDR, Urban Engineers, AECOM Tishman, VHB, Arcadis, Bechtel Corporation, Jacobs, TYLin, and HNTB. From orchestrating renovations at Penn Station to managing key transit projects across the region, Group PMX’s expertise in project management, commercial management, scheduling, and cost control ensures efficient progress. Let’s work together to drive our region forward—one critical transit project at a time. Join the movement! 

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In this week's #infrastructure top stories: blackouts disrupt Jalisco's industries, while delays plague Mexico's Interurban Train project. This and more in your weekly roundup!  #MexicoBusinessNews #MexicoBusiness #WeeklyRoundups

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✨Reducing demand for cars and trucks is a key strategy for business district recovery and resurgence in NYC.✨ The New New York action plan is the City and State's roadmap for business district recovery out of the pandemic. One of its three pillars for business district recovery is "Making It Easier for New Yorkers to Get to Work," and under that pillar sits one of the plan's forty initiatives: "Firmly Support Congestion Pricing." The goal of Congestion Pricing is to reduce driving in the Manhattan business districts while raising a dedicated revenue stream for needed transit repairs and upgrades. Why does this matter for business district recovery? Not only does it fund critical investments in public transportation, which is the lifeblood of New York City. Reducing demand for cars and trucks will also allow vehicles that do need to be on the road to travel more quickly and efficiently while opening up more of our street space for public space, pedestrians, and more sustainable modes of transportation. Grateful to B.J. Jones for stewarding NYC's business district recovery agenda so that we can make New York work for everyone.

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"Think of these systems as mass transit for a megalopolis: They travel faster and farther than traditional urban metros like the New York City subway, and operate far more frequently and seamlessly than typical suburban commuter rail services like the Long Island Rail Road. Their function is 'to reduce the length of commutes into urban areas to greatly expand the travelsheds around cities and increase their effective size.'" https://lnkd.in/e-wxP7PF

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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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𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻. 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸. 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀. A new national advertising campaign is encouraging drivers and pedestrians to take their time when around railway crossings. There are more than 23,000 regional railway crossings. Many of these crossings involve interactions between rail operations, road traffic, cyclists and pedestrians every minute of every day. According to a report by TrackSAFE Foundation, aside from trespass and suicide, the largest number of accidents at level crossings involves members of the public. Between 2001-2022 there were 2,250 fatalities, representing an average of 102 each year or almost two each week. This new campaign reminds drivers of the risks around regional railway crossings and raises awareness of the importance of being cautious, emphasising the message to ‘Slow down. Look. Listen for trains.’ The campaign forms part of the Australian Government’s $180.1 million Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program, to improve safety around railway crossings in regional areas, which includes $160 million to support lower-cost, high-priority railway crossing upgrades, and $4.7 million for two grants rounds to support research and trials of low-cost, innovative level crossing safety technology and improvements. The campaign also aligns with the objectives of the National Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2023–32, a collaborative initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g4ba4iR2

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From our January report on transit accessibility: Congestion pricing "is expected to generate $15 billion...so essential to delivering the remaining station accessibility improvements to which the agency has committed. In addition to the critical resources it will provide to the MTA, CBDTP will reduce traffic blocking bus and paratransit customers, and improve air quality for New Yorkers." Essential accessibility, efficiency, and livability measures hinge on CP. https://lnkd.in/eXV35j_a

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WASHINGTON, D.C. /May 14, 2024 /USDOT -- The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (#FRA) today issued a Notice of #Funding Opportunity (#NOFO) that makes available over $2 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. Modernizing this critical #infrastructure to provide safer, faster and more reliable passenger #rail service for travelers and commuters is a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The available funding announced today 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, the New York Penn Station Access Project, and more. After decades of federal underinvestment, funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law finally has the Northeast Corridor on track to meet the needs of 21st century travelers and commuters. Last year, FRA awarded $16.4 billion for 25 projects of national significance along the corridor, which runs from Boston, MA, to Washington, DC. These unprecedented investments will rebuild tunnels and bridges that are over 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. Image Source | (©schaerfsystem | pixabay)

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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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60 years ago today, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law legislation creating the federal transit program, marking the federal government’s major role in supporting transit bus and rail systems across the U.S. In the 60 years since, the program, now managed by FTA, has reshaped transit in America. We have evolved from supporting a few scattered bus lines and city subways to funding world-class rail, bus, ferry and bus rapid transit systems to ensure everyone can fully participate in all their communities have to offer. Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we now have more support to help transit agencies expand and modernize their systems. transit.dot.gov/FTA60

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Helping identify who benefits from transportation investments is one area where models can help communities and states advance transportation justice. Alta’s Civic Analytics team worked alongside Replica and HEAVY.AI to enrich the National Bridge Database, managed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), with a national catchment vulnerability analysis looking to understand which major bridges in the US are used by low-income travelers. This data was used to create a national critical index for thousands of bridges across the US, where the importance of a bridge to the surrounding community is reflected by more than just the total number of vehicles that use it. https://lnkd.in/grcEEcJc

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"The US is experiencing a critical influx of capital into public transit... the industry is now racing to catch up. However, this urgency has led to inefficiencies and waste in the procurement of rolling stock and infrastructure development." — Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal, President of Icomera North America In the US, many agencies have deferred asset renewal for decades, and now face significant gaps in current knowledge and experience for procuring new products and technologies. At the American Public Transportation Association Rail Conference, we sat down with Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal, President of Icomera North America, to explore strategies for maximizing the impact of modern-day investments in rail. Read the interview here: https://lnkd.in/e4Eae4Hp #Rail #USA #APTA #Icomera #Investment

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The U.S. Department of Transportation is making its most significant overhaul to the #DBE Program in a decade - the changes take effect May 9: https://lnkd.in/ey4rav5e. Christopher Slottee Paige Spratt #usdot #departmentoftransportation #smallbusiness #disadvantagedbusiness #law #legal #realestatelaw #tribal #triballaw

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