Chicago Rail Link (CRL), a managed affiliate of OmniTRAX, Inc., will test an innovative grade crossing pilot project. The CRL, a 72-mile short line located on the Southside of Chicago, maintains a local grade crossing where industrial, weather and drainage conditions no longer support traditional track circuits for its signal system.
To remedy the situation, the CRL has procured a new grade crossing train detection system from Next Generation Rail Technologies S.L. (NGRT) that utilizes sound and vibration to detect oncoming trains. The novel technology does not rely on traditional track circuits that can be falsely triggered and will also be used to count axles and detect flat wheels that may prevent future derailments.
The CRL is working with the Federal Railroad Administration to submit an Informational Filing to operate the system in a shadow mode during the trial with the goal of obtaining Product Safety Plan certification for the system to be used permanently in revenue service.
“The potential industrywide benefits from a successful pilot of NGRT’s detection system are limitless. This technology could enhance worker safety, detect broken rails, count axles and allow railroads to more efficiently spend their capital budgets,” Dave Arganbright, Vice President of Government Affairs for OmniTRAX, said.
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