Hotline #152 - August 18, 2000

Voters in the Dallas metropolitan area on August 12 approved by an overwhelming margin a ballot initiative allowing Dallas Area Rapid Transit to quicken the pace of expansion by issuing $2.9 billion in bonds. Though only 3.7% of eligible voters turned out, the approval rate was about 75%. This will allow currently planned light-rail projects to open five years earlier, on average. It will also allow for a future round of planned project to begin in 2014, rather than 2020. Light-rail supporters hope that an accelerated pace of light-rail construction will help concentrate population near present and future transit stations, in an area that attracts 100,000 new residents annually. The Dallas Morning News pointed out that while the "starter" system built since 1996 cost $860 million, it has already attracted $800 million in private investment near rail lines.

An alert CSX freight crew in Virginia averted a possible tragedy on August 8, according to an August 17 Washington Post report. A signal had failed in two ways -- it did not show "red" for a train occupying the track ahead, nor did it show "red" as it should have in case of malfunction. This nearly allowed a northbound Amtrak Auto Train to enter a track segment at the Fredericksburg station, where passengers were boarding a VRE commuter train. The signal showed "yellow" for "approach," requiring the Auto Train to slow from 40 mph to prepare to stop at the next signal, beyond the VRE train. However, the segment is on a curve, making the VRE train invisible to the Auto Train until the last half-mile. Fortunately, the CSX crew noticed the faulty signal aspect and called a dispatcher in Jacksonville, who then radioed the Auto Train engineer, who stopped before reaching the signal.

The Post said a possible cause is a type of signal wire ("TC Green") made between 1948 and 1962, which has insulation that deteriorates with prolonged exposure to humidity. CSX told federal officials it is making daily inspections of 250 signals it owns with such wiring and would begin replacing such wiring. It is also installing dehumidifiers for signal bungalows. Other railroads are examining signals they own with such wiring and replacing the wiring over time.

The Maryland Transit Administration this week announced completion of a report saying that surface light rail is the most cost-effective way to link Silver Spring and Bethesda. Transit advocates and the Montgomery County Council have supported this for a long time. The Georgetown Branch project (using part of an old B&O line) would cost $258 million single-track ($293 million double), compared to about $1 billion for an underground Metro-style line. The Maryland General Assembly requested the report last spring.

At Baltimore-Washington International Airport, a light-rail vehicle on August 15 crashed through a barrier at the end of the line -- for the second time this year. Twenty-two were injured, one seriously. The front of the light-rail car jutted up several feet and struck an overhang of the airport building. The accident is still being investigated. Press reports indicate the driver told authorities he blacked out before the crash. He had been involved in three other accidents in 13 months -- two with automobiles that were determined not to be his fault, and a minor one in the Glen Burnie rail yard in July 1999. Tests done after all the accidents, including this week's, found no traces of illegal drugs, though the driver reportedly told investigators he was using prescription drugs.

After the February 13 crash that took place at the same spot, that driver told investigators he had been using illegal and prescription narcotic drugs. He was fired for violating a Maryland Transit Administration policy requiring employees to notify the MTA when they are taking such prescriptions. The MTA then reviewed its standards for operators and now requires drivers to have automobile drivers' licenses as well. On August 16, the MTA called for the immediate firing of drivers found to be using illegal drugs, though that would require union approval. MTA also said that a new bumping post ordered after the first accident would not arrive for another four months.

The Denver Regional Transportation District announced August 16 that it was reversing a decision it made in February to end the proposed Central Platte Valley light-rail line 1,000 feet short of Union Station. The RTD had been unable to reach agreement with the parties who control Union Station. But now, the entire 1.8-mile line can open next year, and Union Station will be in a better position to serve as the intermodal hub that RTD envisions it can be.

Construction began this week on a 1,200-foot, electrified track connection in Montclair, N.J., between the Montclair Branch of New Jersey Transit's Morris & Essex Line, and the Boonton Line. By the end of next year, the connection will allow trains from the western part of the Boonton line to pass through Montclair toward Newark and Penn Station in Manhattan. Work began with demolition of 19 structures that formerly housed 33 families, who have been relocated. Some of the residents accepted New Jersey Transit's offer of a down payment to purchase new homes, rather than taking a rental supplement.