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Transit Dispatchesby Heather RedfernOctober 25, 2017

Practice is Key for Incident Response on Rail Systems

Working in subway tunnels is difficult under any circumstances and when you have to maneuver around an electrified third rail in an environment with less lighting, the task is even more daunting. Now imagine what it is like during an emergency...

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Transit Dispatchesby Paul J. LarrousseSeptember 20, 2017

The Transit Industry's Workforce Challenge is Still Real

Where are we today with the great anticipated retirement wave? It looks like it may finally be starting, if not fully underway. It seems at least a couple times each month we here of a transit CEO who is retiring, technical staff who are leaving, and the difficulty in filling maintenance and operations positions with skilled workers for those who have retired.

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Transit Dispatchesby Heather RedfernSeptember 1, 2017

'See Something Say Something' Gets a Technological Assist

Transportation organizations regularly remind the public to be vigilant when using their systems — to be aware of any suspicious activities and people exhibiting odd behavior, and if they see something, immediately say something to personnel or police.

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Green Viewsby Todd MouwAugust 23, 2017

Transit Agencies Could Benefit from VW Funding

Volkswagen was found guilty and agreed to pay up to $14.7 billion to settle allegations of cheating emissions. As part of the lawsuit, Volkswagen is required to establish and fund an Environmental Mitigation Trust, known as EMT. Over the next 10 years, $2.9 billion from the VW settlement will fund environmental mitigation projects that reduce emissions of NOx.

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Safety Cornerby Steve MentzerAugust 16, 2017

'Practical Drift' is Bus Safety's Silent Adversary

Each year, people are injured or killed in incidents where following a standard operating procedure or using the available safety equipment...

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Transit Dispatchesby Heather RedfernAugust 8, 2017

Caught on Tape: Transit Employees' ‘Heroic Acts’

For transit employees working with the public on a daily basis, no two shifts might be the same and each day can bring an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the customers we serve. Often, the acts go unnoticed, but for two SEPTA employees, their special acts — both coming within hours of each other — were caught on video.

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Transit Dispatchesby Rhonda BellAugust 2, 2017

Understanding Streetcar Costs, Funding, Operations and Partnerships

On a per-mile, capital cost basis, streetcar systems typically cost more than bus systems, but less than light rail (LRT). One of the biggest contributors to this difference is right-of-way: streetcars and buses typically run within an existing roadway and thus require minimal property acquisition...

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Transit Dispatchesby Paul McConnellJuly 19, 2017

Reimagining the Public Transportation Rider Experience for the Digital Age

Transit systems move millions of people each day, getting us to where we need to go, influencing our moods, and shaping our collective stories. But, faced with fluctuating ridership, uncertain budgets, and the sky-high expectations of a digital savvy customer — open app, get car — how can centuries-old transit systems keep up?

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Transit Dispatchesby Ben WhitakerJuly 12, 2017

The Case for Outcome-Based Procurement in Transit

Would you buy cash-handling services and dictate to the security firm what type of armored truck and cash counters to use? By the same logic, why would you buy an innovative transit product or platform and mandate how the vendor designs the technology? You likely would not — and why would you?

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Transit Dispatchesby Zach StoneJune 14, 2017

Why Investing in 'Half Measures' When Hiring Frontline Employees Will Bring Public Transit to Its Knees

The public transit industry faces a severe human resources crisis... we began to focus on the science behind identifying and hiring more resilient human beings up front, in order to make it easier to build resilience and preparedness with employees once they are onboard.

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Making it Easier to Do Business with the Transit Industry

Doing business with a large transportation organization is not as daunting as one might think.The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority uses technology and in-person networking to facilitate relationships with companies pursuing opportunities with the authority.

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Transit Dispatchesby Rhonda BellMay 30, 2017

The Evolution of Streetcar Technology

While streetcars may seem like an old fashioned or nostalgic mode of transportation, today’s streetcar is far from your grandmother’s trolley. The modern streetcar has evolved in major ways in response to shifts in community needs as well as technological advances.

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