www.railroad.net US Railroad News. 4th November 2011

Formal Request Submitted for Initial High-Speed Construction Funds

The L.A. Times has reported that as of Thursday, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has formally requested several billion dollars in funds to start construction of the $98 billion California high-speed rail project next year.  The agency has requested $3.3 billion in federal grants and an additional $2.7 in state bonds.  The funds will be used to begin construction on the project’s initial 140 miles of track in the Central Valley.  The rail authority’s request will be handled by California Governor Jerry Brown’s administration, followed by the Legislature.  The request will be heavily scrutinized with serious concerns about where the additional $90+ billion needed to finish the high-speed project.  Although the authority has outlined hopes for funding from private investors, additional federal funds and a new U.S. bond program, there is still much doubt as to whether or not these funds could be procured or if they even exist.
As most are aware of, California’s high-speed rail project continues to face great opposition from both politicians and the general public.  California’s high-speed rail agency’s formal request for the $6 billion in funds came in the wake of a public complaint hearing held on Tuesday. There have been several hearings of this nature held since California residents have realized how their homes, communities and livelihoods will be affected by the project.  In regards to opposition from residents, chief executive of the authority displayed understanding for concerns, but made it clear that, [the authority] believes this project is going to create an economic boom in California.”
As this formal request to begin California’s high-speed rail project is reviewed, one of the most important decisions for the state’s largest infrastructure project will be made.  If the request for $6 billion in funds is granted and construction begins next year, it means a point of no return for at least 140 miles of track in the Central Valley.  Likewise, if the funds are denied, it will certainly signal a grim outlook for the future of the project.  Whatever the decision ends up being, this high-speed rail project will be considered one of the most controversial infrastructure projects in the state’s history.  Both sides of the high-speed rail argument are firm in their beliefs, but for now the happiness or anger for these two sides will be decided by Jerry Brown’s administration.


UP Assists in Safety Pilot Project

According to a Union Pacific press release, the company’s San Antonia Service Unit played an important role in a recent Federal Railroad Administration pilot project.  The FRA’s pilot project, Changing At-Risk Behavior (CAB), is a safety intervention project that focused on peer-to-peer observation and feedback, safety leadership development, and continuous process development.  The CAB pilot project will be honored for the evaluation of the new initiative and improving safety by the American Evaluation Association on Nov. 4 in Anaheim, California.
Union Pacific’s contribution to CAB featured a variety new safety initiatives for its San Antonio Service Unit.  The results of the new initiatives were obvious with the CAB evaluation showing an 85% reduction in at-risk behaviors, a 72% drop in locomotive engineer decertification rates and a 69% drop in the rate of human factor-caused derailments.   These impressive statistics applied to the entire San Antonio Service Unit, which includes over 1,000 engineers and conductors and covers 800 miles of track.
Lance Fritz, Union Pacific executive vice president, had several positive things to say about the CAB pilot project. “Safety is our top priority and we were proud to participate in and support this important railroad industry initiative.” Fritz continues to say, “The results of the evaluation are making a remarkable difference in the railroad industry.”
The results of the FRA’s CAB pilot project are quite impressive.  Projects such as these are doing a great service by improving the overall safety for America’s railroads.  If the the results from CAB can be replicated on all Union Pacific lines, or all major railroads for that matter, there could be a dramatic decrease in railroad accidents, injuries and derailments, which is a future everyone can look forward to.

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