Friday, October 15, 2004 (Washington, DC) NTAD 2004 Geographic Databases Released.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics today released the 2004 updated edition of the National Transportation Atlas Databases (NTAD). This edition of NTAD includes, for the first time, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Non-Attainment Areas for Critical Pollutants – locations that do not meet EPA air quality standards. NTAD continues to show the boundaries of Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the designated authorities responsible for the planning, programming and coordination of federal highway and transit investments. Consisting of 22 datasets, 12 of which were updated for this 2004 version, NTAD can aid transportation decision-makers in both the government and private sector. NTAD also includes: Intermodal terminals, the National Freight Road Network and transit rail lines and stations. NTAD 2004 is provided in shapefile format, which is compatible with most Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software. Contact: Dave Smallen: (202) 366-5568.

Alaska Railroad Receives FRA Funds to Improve Highway-Rail Grade Crossings.

The Alaska Railroad has received a $994,100 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for safety improvements at eight highway-rail grade crossings along the C Street corridor in Anchorage, AK. The funds will be used by the railroad to install median barriers and at least one automated wayside horn that will enable the creation of a “Quiet Zone” in which locomotive horns will no longer be routinely sounded. Contact: Steve Kulm: (202) 493-6024. University of Nebraska Receives FRA Grants to Study Track Safety and Fatigue. The University of Nebraska has received two research grants totaling $900,000 from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). A $700,000 grant will fund four separate tasks intended to improve techniques for measuring railroad track stability and related high-speed wireless data transmission. The research is expected to facilitate development of an on-board sensor system that can monitor track substructure during real-time railroad operations. The University also has received $200,000 to conduct studies on the impact of human factors in railway operations. Three projects will address the role of fatigue and shift work while one will focus on transient risk factors, all of which are important to efforts to prevent railroad accidents. Contact: Steve Kulm: (202) 493-6024.

FRA Grant Supports High-Speed Rail Environmental Impact Study in Seattle.

The Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority has received a $725,125 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to support an environmental impact assessment of the Seattle-Everett segment of the Pacific Northwest High-Speed Rail Corridor. The project is part of a regional transportation system approved by Puget Sound Region voters in 1996. The environmental impact study is required in advance of high-speed rail passenger services between the two densely populated urban areas. Contact: Steve Kulm: (202) 493-6024.

Mississippi DOT to Study Rail Relocation in Tupelo with FRA Grant.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation has received a grant for $1,962,303 from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to conduct planning and environmental studies for the proposed relocation of rail lines out of Tupelo’s central business district. The results of these activities will be used to help determine the impact of rail line relocation on highway and rail traffic, safety, and economic development. The grant was awarded from the FRA Next Generation High-Speed Rail Corridor Hazard Elimination program. Contact: Steve Kulm: (202) 493-6024.

Gulf Coast States Receive FRA Grant to Study High-Speed Rail Corridor.

The Southern Rapid Rail Transit Commission (SRRTC), comprised of the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, has received a $933,332 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to continue planning for high-speed passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast Corridor linking Houston, New Orleans and Atlanta. The SRRTC will study and evaluate proposed alternative routes for two segments in Louisiana between New Orleans and Baton Rouge and between Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. In addition, ridership projections through the year 2025 will be determined for the entire corridor from Houston to Atlanta. Contact: Steve Kulm: (202) 493-6024.

-END-