Denver RTD taps Protran for enhanced rail worker safety

Harsco’s Protran Technology unit, part of the Harsco Rail division, announced a new order to equip the entire Denver regional railway fleet with enhanced safety systems designed and produced by Protran.

Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) selected Protran’s Roadway Worker Protection System for installation across all 400 of its train units and supporting track maintenance work crews, while Protran’s Collision Avoidance System will be installed on the district’s on-track equipment.

RTD provides transportation to 2.8 million people, spanning 2,400 square miles in eight counties. Installations are expected to begin in early 2017 and be completed during the second half of the year. Terms of the order were not disclosed.

Protran’s Roadway Worker Protection System alerts track maintenance work crews of an approaching train or other railway vehicle entering their work zone. Protran’s Collision Avoidance System enforces safe operating distances between railway work equipment, track workers, and restricted areas through the use of real-time distance measures combined with audio-visual alerts.