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Thales awarded CBTC signalling contract for new Salvador metro

Thales has been selected by metro operator CCR Metrô Bahia to provide a signalling solution to lines 1 and 2 of the new metro in Salvador, Brazil’s third largest city. Thales will deliver its SelTrac® Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling solution, providing fully automatic driverless operation. Lines 1 and 2 cover a combined distance of 31 kilometres and serve of 19 stations.

The project’s conclusion is expected in the first half of 2017. Thales’s system will optimise capacity and journey times, benefitting passengers in Salvador, Lauro de Freitas and the whole metropolitan area.The new metro will be part of an integrated transportation system. Notably, it will serve Luiz Eduardo Magalhães International Airport, connecting it to the other transport systems.

Riding and writing on the rails of America – Amtrak offers ‘writers in residence’ programme.

Amtrak, the railroad service that provides intercity passenger train service in the USA has formally launched a ‘writer in-residence’ programme for its long-distance train routes. Like many initiatives in 2014, it all began with a Tweet, when author Alexander Chee expressed his fondness for writing whilst travelling on the rails. Amtrak replied and set the ball in motion for a trial by Manhattan based writer Jessica Gross whose piece, Writing The Lakeshore Limited penned on an Amtrak train was published in February by The Paris Review. A full programme – the Amtrak Residency – now been confirmed.

Up to 24 writers will be chosen for residencies, which will only take place on undersold long-distance routes. Each residency will include accommodation on a sleeper car with all a writer really needs: a bed, a desk and outlets. Applications will be judged on a year-round basis by a panel of Amtrak executives and outside writers.

On the unveiling of the programme, Julia Quinn, Amtrak’s director of social media has stated that “Residents won’t be obliged to write about or mention Amtrak in their work, nor will they be expected to turn in any writing to the company after their trips.” Quinn says Amtrak has concluded that the organic social-media buzz created by the residency program provides enough of a return on investment.

All residencies will take place over two-to-five days on 15 long-distance routes, and will be free. If you fancy applying click here for the official application process which is now open.

Amtrak are just one of the many speakers confirmed for SmartRail USA taking place in Charlotte, North Carolina on 29-30 October 2014.

Event Preview – PTC World Congress (Florida, 15-17th April 2014)

“Safety is our highest priority, and we believe the installation of this equipment will make our nation’s railroads safer.” – Ray LaHood, former U.S. Secretary for Transportation

With just under a month to go until the Positive Train Control (PTC) World Congress, SmartRail World gets a sneak preview of the event that is bringing the American railroad industry together in Florida next month for two days of expert insight, practical case studies, in-depth discussion, technology launches and networking on April 15^th-17^th 2014.

Further growth for African rail as Bombardier signs huge contract to deliver 240 locomotives for South African project; one of the largest ever infrastructure projects in the country.

In the latest signal of the African railway boom, Bombardier Transportation South Africa (Pty) Ltd has signed a contract with Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) for the delivery of 240 TRAXX Africa electric locomotives. These locomotives are are set to be part of a complete fleet renewal programme involving four different suppliers and the contract is expected to be effective by end of March 2014, following certain administrative approvals.

TFR will use the dual-voltage electric locomotives for its general freight business in South Africa. The locomotives will be designed for speeds of up to 100 km/h. The TRAXX Africa design benefits from the vast experience of the TRAXX dual voltage locomotives being in operation with many of the leading European rail freight and passenger operators.

Free e-book – Positive Train Control (PTC): An Insider’s Guide.

SmartRail World is delighted to publish a brand new free e-book Positive Train Control (PTC): An Insider’s Guide looking at the status, lessons learned and challenges faced by US railroads with the implementation of the federally-mandated technology. For the e-book we’ve spoken with the industry’s leading innovators from Metrolink, CSX, NCTD, HP Enterprise Services, BNSF, Alaska Railroad and more in order to help you understand the industry’s current challenges and opportunities. It’s not just another collection of facts and figures but an insight into the reality of the direction of Positive Train Control (PTC); the opportunities and potential but also the challenges still to be overcome.

PLUS each download comes with a free subscription to SmartRail World ensuring you will never miss out on the latest news, views and resources.

Click here to download Positive Train Control (PTC): An Insider’s Guide

VIDEO: Introducing London’s new hi-tech trains – the S Stock.

Introducing London’s new trains, the most modern, streamlined and air-conditioned the Tube system has ever seen. The S Stock train is now running on the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines (coming soon to the District line). Broadcaster and train enthusiast Michael Portillo talks about the new rolling stock of S Stock trains.

The S Stock is unique as it’s the first walk-through gangway train on the Tube – the inside of the train is one continuous length, providing improved capacity, security and passenger flow. It is also the first and only train on the Tube to have saloon air conditioning. Every axle of the train is motored, maximising acceleration rates and also improving braking capability. Traction is provided by IGBT driven AC asynchronous electric motors from a 630V supply and the train is capable of regenerative braking at 790V. In due course, power upgrades on the line will increase the line voltage to 750V allowing regenerative braking at 890V. This significantly improves the energy efficiency of the train. Visit the TFL website to find out about their programme to improve the Tube: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/improvements

SmartRail Speaks: Timothy McKay, Executive Vice President Growth and Regional Development at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART).

Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

Today SmartRail World talks to Timothy McKay, P.E., Executive Vice President Growth and Regional Development at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), a transit agency based in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1983, it operates buses, light rail, commuter rail, and high-occupancy vehicle lanes in Dallas and 12 of its suburbs across a distance of 700 square miles. The DART Rail (light rail) network covers 85 miles providing 29.5 million passenger trips a year. Timothy is a professional engineer who graduated with a BSCE from Michigan Technological University and began serving DART as a consultant in 1987.

Luke Upton (LU): Hello, many thanks for the time today. Your position at DART is that of ‘EVP Rail Program Development’, perhaps we can begin by you telling us a little more about your role and responsibilities?

Timothy McKay (TMcK): “Hi Luke, of course. My role as Executive Vice President of Growth and Regional Development involves decision making and oversight for the departments of Commuter Rail, Rail Program Development, Planning and Development, Rail Planning, and Innovation/Transit Oriented Development.  Some of the programs and strategies include continual transit system evaluation and corridor opportunities; system integration, continually planning, upgrading, and implementing systems services – such as new corridor opportunities, high-speed rail coordination, implementing a new street car system.  Continually coordinating and working with the Member Cities to augment and improve services and programs through the transit communities.”

Positive Train Control (PTC) in focus: North County Transit District (NCTD) in California.

Today SmartRail World journeys to California to find out how the North County Transit District (NCTD) is working with Positive Train Control (PTC) and integrating the system without interrupting service. The NCTD is the agency responsible for publication transportation in North San Diego County and transports over 1.6 million passengers per year, Multiple railroads operate and enter NCTD Territory: BNSF, Amtrak, Pacific Sun, and Metro link and NCTD dispatches all trains within its territory.

NCTD’s implementation of PTC is well underway as they have already begun installing the fiber optic cables from the Orange County line to Old Town in San Diego. The next phases of implementation will include installing communications infrastructure along the right of way, installing the on-board system, and conducting extensive testing.

$19 billion in dedicated funding for rail as President Obama lays out vision for 21st century transportation infrastructure.

President Barack Obama shakes hands with a worker as he and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx tour the Metro Transit Light Rail Operations and Maintenance Facility in St. Paul, Minn., Feb. 26, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

February 26^th  saw US President Barack Obama speak at the historic Union Depot train station in Saint Paul, Minnesota and launch a competition for $600 million in competitive transportation funding and outline his vision for investing in America’s infrastructure with a $302 billion, four year surface transportation re-authorization proposal. Railways are a major part of the the programme along with other aspects of public transport and will also work with Congress to act to ensure critical transportation programs continue to be funded and do not expire later this year.

The proposal increases average transit spending by nearly 70 percent annually, for a total program of $72 billion over four years, which will enable the expansion of new projects (e.g., light rail, street cars, bus rapid transit, etc.) in suburbs, fast-growing cities, small towns, and aging rural communities, while still maintaining existing transit systems.Whilst $19 billion in dedicated funding for rail programs including nearly $5 of billion annually for high performance and passenger rail programs with a focus on improving the connections between key regional city pairs and high traffic corridors throughout the country.