Project Plan: 1-800 Toll-Free Emergency Notification System for Shortline Railroad Highway-Rail Crossings in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

摘要

This project plan specifies the activities and schedule for developing and implementing a 1-800 Toll-Free Emergency Notification System (1-800-ENS) demonstration for eight shortline railroads in Pennsylvania. Five of these railroads are owned by the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority and three others are owned by other entities. The North Shore Railroad and Affiliated Companies (NSRAC) operate all eight railroads under contract. The federal Railroad Administration (FRA), in partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a group of eight shortline railroads within the State (SEAD-COG and NSRAC), and the 911 Clinton County Communication Center, will crate an emergency and problem notification system for implementation at highway-rail intersections for the eight shortline railroads. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is also very supportive of expanding this ENS system state-wide after the original project is established and in operation. The FRA will supply the 1-800 Toll-Free Emergency Notification System software which was developed for the State of Texas (after modifications to make it applicable for railroad use) and computer hardware. If successful, FRA will meet Congress' mandate for implementing a 1-800 program in two pilot States and this will also initiate an effort to implement the 1-800 Program for crossings that do not belong to the Class 1 railroads.