Transit Safety Management
Selected List of Project Experience
Operations and Management Services
BNSF Railway
Collect Amtrak Cascades train delay data, analyze, and establish root causes and potential solutions.
Virginia Railway Express
Assist Keolis, the successful bidder for the VRE operations and maintenance contract. Services provided included developing operating, maintenance, and personnel strategies and costing and general proposal preparation.
Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority
Analysis of the effectiveness of the Capitol Corridor equipment management plan and potential need for additional equipment.
Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (Tri Met)
TSM helped to organize and conduct a two-day Preliminary Hazard Analysis aimed an identifying the potential hazards attendant to the implementation process that Tri Met had undertaken to develop a new commuter rail service between Beaverton and Wilsonville, OR and then developing mitigation strategies for those hazards.
Washington State Department of Transportation
Collect Amtrak Cascades train delay data, analyze, and establish root causes and potential solutions.
Government of Ontario (GO) Transit
As part of an extensive array of services that TSM has been providing to GO Transit, the government agency charged with the responsibility of overseeing Toronto’s massive commuter rail system, over the past four years, in April and May of 2008 TSM prepared for GO to submit to Transport Canada (the Canadian equivalent of the FRA) a Risk Assessment of the risks inherent in GO’s current effort to replace the Canadian National Railway’s train crews that have been operating GO’s trains since service inception in 1967 with train crews provided by Bombardier.
This so-called “third party crewing” arrangement, now fairly commonplace in the U.S., has never been implemented in Canada and the concept is totally unfamiliar to the Canadian rail regulatory community. TSM’s efforts involved identifying a series of 23 “risks” that could occur during and after such a transition, developing mitigation measures to be employed by both GO and Bombardier in addressing these risks, coordinating this risk assessment carefully and closely with Canadian National, who owns the lines over which Bombardier will be operating the GO trains and who will continue as the train dispatching and infrastructure maintaining entity for these lines, and presenting the “results” of the Risk Assessment to GO, Bombardier, CN and Transport Canada.
Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR)
Ongoing provision of safety management services for MBCR’s operation of the MBTA’s Boston commuter rail service. Responsibilities include development, delivery and implementation of safety, regulatory compliance and security plans. These plans include System Safety Plan, Emergency Preparedness Plan, Internal Control Plan, Test & Observation Program, Drug & Alcohol Testing Programs, Accident Investigation Program.
Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC)
Audit of ARRC’s passenger train operations and Passenger Services Department. Evaluation of train dispatching methods, transportation planning and management effectiveness.
South African Railways (Spoornet)
Examination of safety programs, practices and procedures, operating practices and staffing, and overall management evaluation of the performance and productivity of South Africa’s four major commuter rail systems: Johannesburg, Capetown, Durban, and Pretoria. Development of a set of comprehensive new commuter train schedules for the Durban service.
Sound Transit
Evaluation of train operating practices and infrastructure condition for the Sounder (Seattle, WA) commuter rail service.
Government of Ontario (GO) Transit
Development of a new maintenance contract for the maintenance of GO’s fleet of commuter rail locomotives and coaches used in the Toronto commuter rail service. Assistance in the transition to a new maintenance contractor, including structuring of the agency/contractor working relationship and development of the contractor’s System Safety Plan.
Chicago Planning Study (AAR)
Evaluation of train dispatching and operating practices and development of a mitigation plan to reduce congestion throughout the complex Chicago rail network.
San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission
Over the past five years, Transit Safety Management (TSM), under the terms of a series of one-year contracts, has provided a broad range of commuter rail management, safety and operational services to the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC), the agency responsible for the management and oversight of the Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) commuter rail service, which runs from Stockton to San Jose, CA.
These services have included:
- Revising and updating all of the SJRRC's required federal safety plans and programs governing commuter rail operations in the U.S., including the System Safety Program Plan, the Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness Plan (as required by 49 CFR Part 239), the Internal Control Plan (governing the manner in which accidents, incidents and injuries are managed and reported)and the agency's program of internal audits, referred to as the SJRRC Standard Operating Procedures, which are used to assure safety, operational and contractual compliance by the contractor providing the day-to-day operating and maintenance services for the ACE trains. TSM has also been responsible, working in conjunction with SJRRC staff, for the scheduling, conduct, review and follow-up for the annual SOP audit of the contract services provider.
- Directing two planning studies for the SJRRC, which were aimed at determining the opportunities to improve the existing ACE Service and the potential for expansion of that service into the Central and Northern San Joaquin Valley.
- Assisting SJRRC staff in the development of an RFP for the overhaul of the ACE locomotive fleet, including preparing the RFQ, assisting with the qualification process for potential bidders, the selection of the preferred bidder and the negotiation of the locomotive overhaul contract.
- Developing a new operating agreement for the ACE Service and working with SJRRC staff in the successful negotiation of that agreement with the operating and maintenance contractor.
- Advising SJRRC executive staff on the issues surrounding the development of the California High Speed Rail system and its potential impact on the ACE Service.
Washington State Department of Transportation
Negotiation with BNSF, Amtrak, and Sound Transit for service plans, schedules, capital improvement plans, speed limits, infrastructure maintenance practices and costs, and other elements of the program that involved two or more of the parties.
System Safety Audits and Regulatory Compliance Audits
Safety audits of numerous rail properties including:
Freight — Bangor and Aroostook; Boston and Maine; Cape Cod and Hyannis; Chicago, South Shore and South Bend; Conrail; CSX; Elgin, Joliet & Eastern; Grand Trunk; Illinois Central; Indiana Harbor Belt; Iowa Interstate; Maine Central; Norfolk Southern; Wisconsin Central
Passenger — Amtrak; Long Island Rail Road; Metra; Metro North Railroad; Northeast Indiana Commuter Transportation District, Tri-Rail, Trinity Railway Express, Altamont Commuter Express, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Transit — Operating practices and safety audits of the Buenos Aires, Argentina subway system; safety monitoring for ultrasonic rail testing, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
System Safety Program Plan Development and Implementation
- MBTA Commuter Rail Service, Boston, MA
- North County Transit District “Coaster” Service, San Diego, CA
- Altamont Commuter Express “ACE” Service, Stockton, CA including subsequent revising and updating the SJRRC’s System Safety Program Plan (SSPP), Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPREP) and all other documentation and programs required of a commuter rail system by the Federal Railroad Administration
- Trinity Railway Express Service, Dallas, TX
- Triangle Transit Authority Service
- Raleigh-Durham, NC (service still in development)
- Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Streetcar, San Pedro, CA
Emergency Response Training and Reference Material
Sound Transit
Development of linear referencing system for training and emergency response, combining schematic diagram of track, local streets and roads used for access, surrounding terrain and land use with video, access point photographs and aerial photographs of access points.
New Start Rail Systems Planning, Implementation, and Management
Tri-County Commuter Rail Authority
Development of the operational, rolling stock and fare collection elements of the first new start commuter rail system in the United States; South Florida’s Tri-Rail system. Service management for the first year of revenue service was also provided.
Orange County Transportation Commission
Development of an operating plan for a new start commuter rail service from Orange and Riverside counties to Los Angeles. This plan served as the blueprint for the implementation of a new commuter rail service between Oceanside and Los Angeles, California (part of the Metrolink System).
Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority
Implementation and management of a commuter rail demonstration project in the Seattle metropolitan area between Everett and Tacoma, WA. This project, extending over several months, involved the operation and maintenance of commuter trains, demonstration trains and special event trains utilizing 80 miles of existing freight trackage and leased Canadian commuter rolling stock. Responsibilities included:
- Leasing and transport of rolling stock
- Planning and contracting for the rail lines to be used
- Integrating the new service with existing freight and intercity passenger service
- Developing a detailed operating plan for the service
- Setting up the maintenance plan and function
- Developing an operating manual for training on the equipment and operating plan
- Operating crew and on-board services personnel training
- Management of daily service
- Coordination of the operation with the owner and tenant carriers on the line: Amtrak, Burlington Northern and Union Pacific
Trinity Railway Express and Altamont Commuter Express (ACE)
Implementation services for two (2) “new start” commuter rail systems, the Dallas to Fort Worth, TX, Trinity Railway Express and the Stockton to San Jose, CA, ACE Service. TSM’s client in both cases was Herzog, the contract operator of the service. TSM’s responsibilities included:
- Management team selection and planning
- System Safety Program Plan (SSPP) preparation and implementation
- Locomotive engineer training and qualification
- Safety and FRA regulatory compliance audits
- Customer Service Training
Ministry of Transport (SCT), Republic of Mexico
Development of train schedules, station plans, infrastructure capital program, operating agreements, and a complete set of bidding documents for a “new start” turnkey commuter rail service for an estimated 500,000 passengers per day on an existing freight rail line in Mexico City.
Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Streetcar
Development of safety and FRA regulatory compliance programs, including drug and alcohol testing programs, locomotive engineer certification programs, emergency preparedness programs and operating rulebook for streetcar operation. Also developed and had approved by FRA a waiver of compliance with certain federal regulations (based on shared track utilization with a freight railroad).
Washington State Department of Transportation
Development of train schedules and infrastructure plans for new Seattle-Spokane passenger service on moderate density freight lines (e.g., under 25 trains per day) as well as similar planning for new commuter service on heavy density freight lines (e.g., over 40 trains per day).
System Privatization, Restructuring, Capacity Analysis and Operational Planning
State of Massachusetts and Vermont
Development of operating and infrastructure plans for increased frequency and speed of current Vermonter Amtrak service between Springfield MA and White River Jct. VT and commuter rail service between Springfield and Greenfield MA.
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Provide railroad operations and capacity analysis services for a statewide rail capacity assessment.
Montachusett Area Regional Transit Authority (MA)
Feasibility study for extension of MBTA Fitchburg commuter rail line to Gardner MA and plan for improved commuter rail service between Boston and Wachusett MA.
Metro (South Africa)
Productivity and performance analyses of the four major commuter rail systems in South Africa, which collectively carry over two million daily riders.
Burlington Northern Railroad / Washington State Department of Transportation / Oregon Department of Transportation / Amtrak /Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority
Development of capital improvement plans, equipment and crew plans and operating cost estimates for increased intercity passenger service, high speed passenger service and commuter rail service on various lines with existing freight and passenger traffic.
Amtrak
Analysis of Seattle-Portland train schedules and identification of potential performance improvements.
Ports of Tacoma, WA, Seattle WA, and Portland, OR
Capacity analysis of railroad operations, traffic projections and infrastructure needs in the Ports of Tacoma, Seattle, and Portland.
Washington State Department of Transportation
Development of integrated operating plans for shared utilization of Burlington Northern Santa Fe line between Lakewood and Everett, WA by commuter, regional and intercity passenger services.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
Evaluation of the effect of changing superelevation, rail unbalance and speed limits on passenger trains.
High Speed and Commuter Rail Feasibility Studies and Conceptual Planning
Washington State Department of Transportation
- Developed the infrastructure and operating plan that provided the basis for the ARRA High Speed Rail grant award of $590 million to Washington State for the Amtrak Cascades service.
- Provided critical detailed operating data to support the Washington State ARRA High Speed Rail grant application.
Washington State Department of Transportation
Feasibility study for a 15 mile feeder DMU commuter service between Ravensdale and Auburn WA
I-95 “Knowledge Corridor” and Amtrak Vermonter Route improvements
Develop conceptual timetables and accompanying infrastructure plan for improved service between Springfield MA and White River Jct. VT precursor to further design of high speed service.
Burlington Northern Railroad / Washington State Department of Transportation/ Amtrak
Development of operating plans, service schedules, capacity modeling, capital improvement plans, overall infrastructure requirements, and incremental program development plan for the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor (Oregon—Washington—British Columbia) and the Amtrak intercity service that runs in this corridor, the “Cascades” service. This work also included assistance with Rolling Stock selection, analyzing the effect on operating cost of the levels of service in the complete plan, initial design of the Seattle maintenance facility and station improvement/enhancement programs for the King Street Station in Seattle and the main passenger terminal in Vancouver, B.C.
As this is a shared rail corridor, this effort involves working closely with and coordinating the operational needs of Amtrak Intercity trains, Sound Transit commuter rail trains and BNSF freight trains.
Burlington Northern Railroad
Development of a capital improvement plan for high speed passenger service on an existing freight line between Dallas and Houston, TX.
Amtrak/Washington State Department of Transportation
Development of speed limits and train schedules for Talgo tilting trainsets between Vancouver BC and Portland, OR.
British Columbia Transportation Financing Authority
Alternatives analysis for the location of the Vancouver, British Columbia rail passenger terminal including development of alternative rail routes and passenger terminal locations, estimated cost, and operating and service effects of each location and route.
Transportation Planning and Information Systems
Washington State Department of Transportation
Development of database and interface software for analysis of Amtrak Cascades delays.
Burlington Northern Railroad / Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
Numerous projects including:
- Development of computer models for analysis of service schedules, line capacity and reliability.
- Data conversion, data integrity check, application testing and problem analysis for a new transportation information system.
- Development of software for computer aided train dispatching, crew management and locomotive distribution.
Training Program Development Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Research and Development
Conduct of a study of train dispatcher training programs and determination of performance objectives to improve the quality, uniformity, and efficiency of railroad training/retraining programs for train dispatchers. Subsequent development of a model training program for train dispatchers. Included within this work was an analysis of stress factors impacting train dispatchers and ways to remedy these factors.
Federal Railroad Administration
Development and implementation of a drug and alcohol training program for FRA inspectors.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
Development and conduct of a training program for the implementation of a new transportation information system.
Development of Safety Standards
American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Passenger Rail Equipment Safety Standards (PRESS) Task Force
Provision of technical assistance to the PRESS Task Force’s Systems Sub-Group. Drafting of new safety standards for the design, construction, inspection, and maintenance of rail passenger equipment.
Federal Railroad Administration
Provision of technical assistance for a research project on locomotive access/egress, including suggestions for improvements for access/egress by railroad crew members and emergency responders.
Safety Program Development
Transit Safety Management Principal Susan Madigan has been an active member/presenter for Operation Lifesaver since 1997 and the Chairperson of the OL program for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 2005. In this capacity she has directed the expansion of the OL presentation program to the point where, in 2008, almost 200 presentations were given to almost 13, 000 participants, an increase of over 30% from the previous year. In addition, under Ms. Madigan’s leadership:
- the first-ever website for OL in Massachusetts (www.olmass.net) has been established and is now functioning.
- a program has been established wherein Operation Lifesaver members assist the Federal Railroad Administration in the conduct of Grade Crossing Collision Investigation (GCCI) course with local police departments around the state.