What
We Promote: How - Technical
Refurbished and additional track
Here a Union Pacific track gang is rebuilding a section of
track south of Pontiac, IL to 110 mph standards. In many cases,
all that's required to replace ties and ballast and realign
the track, sometimes the rail is also replaced.
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Many projects will require
replacing track that was removed during a period of
downsizing by the freight carriers. The downsizing also
created an opportunity for states to upgrade duplicate
mainlines to be used almost exclusively for passenger
trains. |
Modern Trains
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This a train that operates
in a variety of services in Norway. |
Advanced signaling systems
Most trains are controlled by a series of signals
very similar to highway traffic signals. Current federal regulations
limit these passenger trains to 79 mph. There are several
locations across the country, where duplicate signals are
located in the locomotive cab and the train will stop automatically
if a red signal is passed, where trains can operate at 90mph.
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On the east coast, between
Washington, New York and Boston, an advanced signal
system that uses radio signals transmitted in the rails
allows speeds up to 150 mph. |
Illinois and Michigan are both developing the next generation
of train control system that will allow speeds in excess of
100 mph. http://www.fra.dot.gov/Content3.asp?P=784
Improved stations and local connections
Stations should function as a gathering location for as wide
a geographic area as possible. In addition to a good walkable
location, this means a large, safe parking lot, good transit
access and connections to intercity bus routes.
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In addition to a good walkable
location, this means a large, safe parking lot, good
transit access and connections to intercity bus routes. |
Rehabbed bridges and New Flyovers
Just as major highway intersections separate crossing
flows of traffic, reliable passenger service will require
separating major rail lines. This flyover built to smooth
access to the San Bernadino railroad station is just one example.
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The City of Chicago, the
state of Illinois and the nation's major railroads are
cooperating on a project to that will improve rail traffic
nationwide. |
CREATE - A Big Step Towards
High Speed Rail
Safer Crossings
While the safest highway/railroad crossing is bridge, budgets
and local access issues will keep most grade crossings open.
Most crossings on the proposed high-frequency passenger rail
routes will receive substantial safety improvements.
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This is a recently upgraded
crossing in Gardner, IL on the Chicago to St. Louis
corridor. |
It uses lessons about changing driving behavior learned by
the work of the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
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