Friday, September 26, 2008 (Washington, D.C.)

FRA Partners with Norfolk Southern Railway to Monitor ECP Brake Performance

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is awarding a $200,000 grant to Norfolk Southern Railway to monitor the performance of Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brake systems. The grant funds will be used to purchase and install a wheel profile measurement system on rail lines used by trains equipped with ECP brakes, as well as those with traditional air brake systems. The system will permit collection and comparison of maintenance-related data in order to determine the business benefits of ECP technology. ECP brakes simultaneously apply the brakes on all rail cars leading to improved train handling, shorter stopping distances, fuel savings and a lower risk of derailments as compared to conventional air brake systems. Norfolk Southern is contributing $250,000 to this project. Contact: Steve Kulm (202) 493-6024

New Jersey DOT Receives FRA Grant for Salem Branch Railroad Track Upgrades

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is awarding a $491,592 grant to the New Jersey Department of Transportation to support track improvements on the Salem Branch Railroad that operates between Swedesboro and Salem Port, NJ. The grant funds will be used to replace and upgrade approximately 4.25 miles of track to accommodate heavier railcar loads and allow higher track speeds. The Delaware River Port Authority also is contributing $1.7 million to the project as part of a larger track rehabilitation effort on this rail line. Contact: Rob Kulat (202) 493-6024

FRA Funds Study to Develop Countermeasures to Rail-Related Suicides

The Railroad Research Foundation is receiving a $250,000 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to support an ongoing research program to assess the prevalence and underlying casual factors of rail-related suicides. Project goals also include development of effective countermeasures to reduce the incidence of suicide along railroad rights of way, including at highway-rail grade crossings. Contact: Warren Flatau (202) 493-6024

Baton Rouge to New Orleans Passenger Rail Study Receives FRA Funds

The Southern Rapid Rail Transit Commission is receiving a $667,000 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to evaluate the feasibility of linking Baton Rouge and New Orleans by passenger rail. The grant funds will be used to develop: detailed ridership and revenue forecasts, a business plan with capital and operating costs, an economic impact analysis and engineering and environmental assessments among other things. The State of Louisiana also is contributing $667,000 toward this study. Contact: Steve Kulm (202) 493-6024

FRA Grant Supports Rail Improvement Projects in Kentucky

The R.J. Corman Railroad Company is receiving a $1.4 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for two rail improvement projects in Kentucky. The grant will be used to install cross ties, switch ties, and upgrade highway-rail grade crossings as well as resurface sections of rail along about 20 miles of its Central Kentucky Lines from Winchester to Lexington and about 12 miles of its Memphis Lines in and around Russellville. Contact: Rob Kulat (202) 493-6024

University of Nebraska Receives FRA Grant for Track Research

Researchers at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln are receiving a $503,000 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to continue a multi-year research and development project that will help railroads more accurately monitor the safety of track conditions on a real-time basis from moving train cars. The research is expected to result in the development of on-board sensor systems that can monitor track substructure and allow railroads to assess the longitudinal stresses exerted by the train on the rail, reduce track maintenance costs and help prevent train derailments. Contact Rob Kulat (202) 493-6024.