Tags Artificial Intelligence data Norfolk Southern safety Sensor Technology
Norfolk Southern is deploying digital train inspection portals to enhance rail safety across its network. Over Molded
Featuring machine vision inspection technology, the portals were built by Norfolk Southern’s Data Science/Artificial Intelligence and Mechanical teams in partnership with the Georgia Tech Research Institution.
The portals are equipped with an array of 24-megapixel trackside cameras and stadium lighting, and the machine vision inspection technology captures ultra-high-resolution, 360-degree images of passing railcars.
The cameras are synced to the microsecond, taking 1,000 images per rail car on average as they pass through the tunnel at speeds up to 70mph.
The high-speed cameras are strategically placed at angles to capture things that are difficult to detect with the human eye during stationary inspections.
In addition, capturing images of a moving train provides an inspection for various defects that cannot be monitored while stationary.
FirstAI analyses these images for potential defects, and the railway company’s specialist teams have developed 38 advanced deep learning algorithms, which are already deployed across heavily trafficked lanes.
These have proven very high accuracy levels, while having a very low rate of false-positives.
The AI transmits the information to Norfolk Southern’s Network Operations Center, where the data is analysed to identify and address issues proactively, with critical defects flagged for immediate handling.
“We are a safe railroad, and we're going above and beyond to become even safer.
“These new portals combine advanced technology with human expertise, giving our people and the public further confidence in Norfolk Southern's safe operations. It's all part of our promise to become the gold standard of safety in the rail industry.”
Norfolk Southern deployed its first portal in Leetonia, Ohio, where trains pass through approximately every hour, and it plans to deploy over a dozen portals before the end of 2024.
Under Governor Kathy Hochul's direction, New York's MTA is set to initiate engineering work for the Interborough Express (IBX).
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has announced that its Fleet of the Future project will be delivered millions of USD under budget.
Caltrain has finalised testing for three new electric trains, with each of the new units having completed a thousand miles of testing.
Network Rail Consulting has been awarded a contract to provide systems engineering services for California’s High-Speed Rail Program.
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority is extending Tri-Rail services to MiamiCentral Station from 13 January.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has released the shortlist of bidders to supply its new electric trains.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will modernise the train control system for the city's Muni Metro network.
Amtrak is calling on the public to contribute their ideas for the improvement of Chicago Union Station in Illinois.
Amtrak has issued a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to railcar manufacturers to replace its existing Long Distance fleet.
Amtrak has awarded contracts to Flatiron/Herzog, AECOM and Fay Construction for the Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Replacement Program.
The US DOT's Federal Railroad Administration has announced 8.2bn USD in funding for high-speed rail and pipeline projects across the US.
The US DOT has awarded 3 billion USD in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to progress the Brightline West high-speed rail project.
The US Department of Transportation has awarded the California High-Speed Rail Authority almost 3.1 billion USD in funding.
Last week, Rail Live! addressed some of the major safety challenges associated with railway operations globally.
Siemens Mobility has been awarded a contract to supply up to 55 new light rail vehicles to Metro Transit for the St. Louis MetroLink network.
In coordination with NJ TRANSIT, Amtrak has begun the procurement process for the Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project.
Brightline has awarded a contract to ENSCO Rail to provide autonomous railway inspection technology for its expanded Florida network.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has agreed to construct a station connecting to Hollywood Burbank Airport.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has contracted Alstom to modernise and replace its Skylink APM system.
MBTA has launched a Track Improvement Program that will eliminate all speed restrictions on its network by the end of 2024.
The FRA has awarded nearly 10 billion USD to Amtrak for the modernisation of critical infrastructure on the Northeast Corridor (NEC).
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has released a RFQ for design services for track and OCS connecting Merced to Bakersfield.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has unveiled 3D modelling, sketches and virtual simulation designs of its future electric trains.
Amtrak has signed a service development agreement for the return of intercity passenger rail services between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Class I freight railroad company, CSX has expanded its partnership with Siemens Mobility to implement digital solutions for freight rail.
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has rolled out the first five R211 subway cars on the Staten Island Railway.
Chicago's commuter rail operator, Metra has been awarded a 169.3 million USD grant to purchase zero-emission, battery-powered trainsets.
Stadler has received an order to build four hydrogen-powered trains for the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and Caltrans.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will provide 197 million USD in funding to help transit agencies replace ageing passenger railcars.
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) has ordered an additional eight S700 light rail vehicles (LRVs) from Siemens Mobility.
The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency has announced that Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner in Southern California is now powered by renewable diesel.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will receive up to 5 million USD to establish a National University Rail Center of Excellence.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded 1.4 billion USD in funding to 70 rail projects across the US.
Caltrain has successfully completed three major milestones to advance its rail electrification project in California.
Brightline has announced that its service to Orlando International Airport (MCO) will officially launch on 22 September 2023.
Amtrak has awarded a contract to the Clark Construction/Stacy and Witbeck JV for the delivery of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program.
Caltrain's Traction Power Substation built by Balfour Beatty in South San Francisco has now been energised with power from PG&E.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has approved the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to procure its first trainsets.
Siemens Mobility has broken ground on its new 220 million USD manufacturing and rail services facility in Lexington, North Carolina.
Amtrak has exercised a contract option to order an additional 10 Airo trainsets to help meet increased demand for passenger rail travel.
Caltrain has announced plans to pilot a bi-level dual electric and battery-powered train to help further reduce emissions from its services.
HS2 has completed construction of Streethay Overbridge to enable high-speed trains to travel underneath the South Staffordshire railway.
Texas Central and Amtrak are exploring opportunities to advance planning and analysis for the Dallas-Houston high-speed rail project.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has ordered 60 single-level rail coach cars from Alstom.
Brightline has announced delys to its timeline, meaning it will not commence passenger services to Orlando from 1 September as planned.
The Governor of Illinois has presented the Chicago Hub Improvement Program, proposing a 1.1 bn USD investment in regional rail infrastructure.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) has ordered 18 fuel cell engines from Ballard Power Systems to expand its Hydrogen Locomotive Program.
Amtrak has announced plans to complete track infrastructure improvements on the Northeast Corridor to increase the reliability of its trains.
AECOM, Skanska and SOM have completed the $395m renovation of the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) concourse at Pennsylvania Station in New York.
The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority has received a RAISE grant to fund the construction of two Brightline West rail stations.
California High-Speed Rail Authority has won funding for its Fresno High-Speed Rail Station Historic Depot Renovation and Plaza Activation Project.
Brightline has finished construction on extending its intercity rail service to Orlando, Florida ahead of the route launching this summer.
Amtrak has released its annual Sustainability Report detailing the ways it has reduced diesel usage and air emissions.
The Utah Department of Transportation has selected a HDR-led team to manage its FrontRunner Strategic Double Track project.
The recent collapse of a section of the I-95 highway has highlighted the value of the proposed Roosevelt Boulevard Subway in Philadelphia.
The Austin Transit Partnership, Austin City Council and CapMetro have approved the first phase of the Austin Light Rail project.
Caltrain's electrification project has commenced testing electric trains operating under power from the overhead lines.
Amtrak has submitted applications for FRA funding to advance Northeast Corridor projects and improve reliability on its long-distance network.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is set to begin construction on four new Red Line stations at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr.
Minnesota legislature has approved 195 million USD in funding for the Northern Light Express (NLX) passenger rail project.
Washington Metro has presented the latest design concepts for its future fleet of trains that will be produced by Hitachi Rail.
The penultimate train has arrived in Hawaii prior to the Honolulu Rail System commencing passenger service on 30 June this year.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has selected three prequalified teams to submit proposals for its Red Line Extension (RLE) project.
Brightline has become the first passenger rail service to offer Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency broadband service on its trains.
The FRA has announced the availability of 5.8 million USD in funding for the Interstate Rail Compacts (IRC) Program.
Amtrak has announced plans to renovate its maintenance facilities in Seattle, Boston, New York City and Washington, DC.
The FTA has awarded 703 million USD in funding to six projects in six states to replace aging passenger railcars.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has unveiled a Rail Inspection Vehicle (RIV) manufactured by MERMEC to identify issues along the track.
Early construction activities are now underway on Amtrak's B&P Tunnel Replacement Program, which commenced in March 2023.
Canadian National (CN), Union Pacific (UP) and GMXT have established Falcon Premium, an intermodal service between Mexico, the US and Canada.
LA SkyRail Express (LASRE) has partnered with Keolis to deliver a high-capacity SkyRail system between the San Fernando Valley and Westside.
The FRA has concluded a series of meetings with stakeholders on its Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service study.
Schneider National has signed an agreement with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) to provide an intermodal service on CPKC’s corridor.
Brightline has unveiled its new station at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and has announced that tickets for the service will go on sale in May.
The Greater Cleveland RTA has selected Siemens Mobility as the preferred vendor to replace its ageing rolling stock.
Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) have officially combined to create Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).
Amtrak has commenced the procurement phase for the construction of the New York East River Tunnel Rehabilitation project.
Siemens Mobility has announced that Brightline will implement Sqills' S3 inventory and reservation system to support its Orlando expansion.
PANYNJ has announced that the first of 72 new rail cars will enter service next week as part of its PATH Improvement Plan.
Alstom has been awarded a contract to provide operations and maintenance services for the Maryland Area Rail Commuter network.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's Yellow Line will reopen on 7 May following key rehabilitation work.
Union Pacific has begun the process of transferring its three commuter rail service lines in Chicago to Metra.
Brightline has showcased its train maintenance facility in Orlando ahead of the site commencing full service later this year.
Amtrak and PNRRA have released findings from a two-year study examining the potential to operate rail services between Scranton and New York.
PANYNJ and Newark Liberty International Airport have contracted Alstom to provide operations and maintenance services for AirTrain Newark.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has added the 100th new four-series light rail vehicle (LRV4) to its fleet.
The US Surface Transportation Board (STB) has provided approval for the merger of Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS).
Amtrak has announced plans to double capacity at its second-largest station, Washington Union Station, by 2026.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has commenced the rollout of its new R211 subway cars on New York's A line.
Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are applying for funding to study a new rail service between New York City, Georgia and Texas.
On 10 March, Amtrak is set to begin early construction work as part of the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program in Maryland.
Siemens Mobility is investing 220 million USD to construct an advanced manufacturing and rail services facility in Lexington, North Carolina.
Brightline has set a new record for operating the fastest train in Florida after reaching speeds of 130 miles per hour.
New York's MTA has contracted Thales and TC Electric to supply CBTC signalling on the metro line between Brooklyn and Queens.
Brightline has received approval from The United States Coast Guard to rehabilitate the railroad bridge over the St. Lucie River in Stuart.
The US stands to benefit immensely from improved high-speed rail connections, as discussed in CoMotion's latest webinar.
Siemens Mobility has delivered the 'Bright Orange 2' trainset to Orlando, completing Brightline's fleet of 10 trains.
Three wildlife overcrossings are going to be built over the Brightline West high-speed rail system, providing a safe path for wildlife.
Stadler is partnering with Utah State University and ASPIRE Engineering to develop the first battery-powered passenger train in the US.
New York's MTA has unveiled one of the two R211 open gangway subway trains that are undergoing testing at its Coney Island Yard in Brooklyn.
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