TSM in the News

• In addition to the System Safety Plan work which TSM is already performing for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission [SJRRC], TSM has also been asked to work with SJRRC staff in preparing for a number of impending changes and improvements to the Altamont Commuter Express [ACE] commuter rail service. These changes include: a new electronic ticketing and passenger identification system that will be the most technologically advanced in the commuter rail industry; a new set of responsibilities and duties for ACE’s on-train personnel; an enhanced and more visible customer service program and the introduction of midday train service between San Jose and Stockton, CA.

• For the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District [NICTD], TSM is currently updating and restructuring the System Safety Plan which governs NICTD’s South Bend, IN to Chicago, IL commuter rail service.

• For a “New Start” commuter rail service in Albuquerque, NM, TSM has been engaged to prepare the System Safety Plan and the Passenger Emergency Preparedness Plan, which must be accepted and in place prior to the start of revenue service on this new system later in 2006.

• TSM’s ongoing services to the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon [TriMet] have also been expanded to include the conduct of an extensive Preliminary Hazard Analysis [PHA] for TriMet’s planned new commuter rail service between Beaverton and Wilsonville, OR.

• For Government of Ontario (GO) Transit in Toronto Canada, TSM is providing assistance in a competitive bidding process for the contract to maintain GO’s fleet of 45 locomotives and 375 bi-level commuter rail coaches. This is a repeat engagement for TSM as similar services (i.e., RFQ and RFP preparation, drafting of the equipment maintenance contract, technical assistance through the bidding process, etc.) were provided to GO when this contract was first put out for bid in 1995-96.

• For the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) in Stockton, CA, TSM has performed a structural and performance assessment of SJRRC’s Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) commuter rail operation between Stockton and San Jose, CA. In addition, TSM is currently assisting the SJRRC in updating ACE’s System Safety Plan and Passenger Emergency Preparedness Program. This is also a return engagement, as TSM was heavily involved in the start-up of the ACE service in 1998.

• For the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), TSM is performing a readiness assessment to evaluate TriMet’s preparations and implementation planning for a new start commuter rail service which will run between Beaverton and Wilsonville, OR (approximately 15 miles) and feature a cross-platform transfer to TriMet’s heavily-utilized MAX light rail service. This new commuter rail system is currently scheduled to begin revenue service in September, 2007.

• For Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), TSM has recently completed an analysis of alternatives for additional Amtrak Heartland Flyer service between Oklahoma City and Ft. Worth. Work included analysis of track geometry and other conditions for running time reduction through increased speed limits, equipment utilization planning, alternatives to the current locomotives and passenger cars, and alternative operating and service plans and associated infrastructure requirements.

• For Port of Seattle, TSM is participating in an assessment of the ability of the port infrastructure to accommodate the projected growth in international container traffic. TSM’s work includes evaluating the capacity of the rail infrastructure serving the port and developing input data for simulation of rail traffic.

• For Sound Transit, TSM is participating in the engineering of the engineering of the line between Tacoma and Lakewood for extension of Sounder commuter service, providing support to Sound Transit operations planning and analysis of commuter service and freight service in the corridor.

• For Washington State Department of Transportation, TSM provides railroad operations planning, analysis, and support services on an on-call services contract. TSM is participating in the development of an updated twenty year plan for the Amtrak Cascades service. TSM’s role is development of the infrastructure, operating plan, and specifications for trainsets to be used in the service. TSM also assisted with the ridership analysis and infrastructure cost estimate and developed the projected revenue and operating cost for the service. TSM is also reviewing the plans for the new Amtrak maintenance facility in Seattle to determine suitability for the planned operations, analyzing the operating and service effects of making one additional passenger stop with Amtrak Cascades service at Auburn, WA, and developing infrastructure and practices changes needed to eliminate the freight traffic congestion that is delaying Amtrak Cascades trains crossing the border between Blaine, WA and White Rock, BC, Canada.