2020 Legislative & Regulatory Issues — Railroads & D.C.
With the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act set to expire in September 2020, surface transportation reauthorization will likely be the hot topic on Capitol Hill next year. What else will rail advocates be pushing for (and pushing back against?) This month, Progressive Railroading Senior Associate Editor Julie Sneider examines the rail industry's hopes and fears for what might — or should be — addressed in federal legislation
Passenger Rail Focus:
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
Since the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's (MARTA) passenger rail service launched 40 years ago, the agency has had plans to extend its rail network deeper into the suburbs. Finally, this past summer, MARTA board and the city of Atlanta approved $1.3 billion worth of transit projects that will expand the rail system — marking the largest investment the agency's made into its system since inception. If the expansion unfolds as planned, MARTA will double the size of its transit system over the next 25 years, as Associate Editor Vesna Brajkovic reports this month.
MOW:
IoT & Predictive Maintenance — "Big Data" Conference Recap
In December 2019, a range of railroaders, academics and data scientists gathered at the University of Delaware's sixth annual "Big Data in Railroad Maintenance Planning" conference. In an event recap, Managing Editor Jeff Stagl shares how the industry is leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) and predictive analytics, smart sensors, and other new technology to drive safety and efficiency on the MOW front.
C&S/MOW:
Winter Challenges
When Old Man Winter becomes ornery, railroads have a difficult time maintaining operations. Fortunately, technological and engineering advancements are helping railroads better deal with tough winter conditions. This month, rail industry suppliers share information on some of those advancements designed to help railroads contend with the challenges of operating in winter.
Special Section:
Annual Finance & Leasing Guide
Our 20th annual guide provides a directory of finance-related resources — including banks, lessors, finance companies and professional services providers. It also features rail-car leasing commentary from Progressive Railroading Columnist Richard Kloster.
Bonus Distribution:
Railroad Day on The Hill (March 4, 2020, Washington, D.C.)
Mike Singler
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