Alstom and its partner, Barletta Heavy Division, signed a contract under which they will partner to upgrade and modernize the signaling systems on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Red and Orange subway lines. The contract is worth approximately $90 million.
Under the scope of the project, Alstom will provide Orange and Red line signal upgrades, comprising the latest generation of digital audio frequency technology, and the replacement of the existing relay-based train control with Alstom’s iVPI (integrated vital processor interlocking), the latest generation of microprocessor-based train control interlocking.
Alstom will also supply its AFTC5 track circuits, the latest in digital signaling technology, designed with the capacity to add additional speed commands in the future to take advantage of improved performance of the MBTA fleet.
Finally, Alstom will provide its new Model 5F wayside switch machines and LED signal upgrades to the Southwest corridor of the Orange line, as well as a new, fully wired central instrument houses at Ashmont station and Columbia Junction on the Red line.
By upgrading the signaling systems on the Orange and Red lines, which encompasses 41 stations, MBTA will be able to reduce headway between trains, increase the lines’ capacity and maximize fleet performance. The project is expected to be completed in 2022.
Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
In this Consultant Roundtable, Carmen C. Cham shares insights on how agencies can create spaces that are intuitive, connected and built for long-term impact.
The Red Line Extension Project will provide the Far South Side of Chicago with rapid rail transit for the first time by extending the Red Line by 5.5 miles from 95th Street to 130th Street, including the construction of four new Red Line stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan, and 130th streets.
The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.
While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
With more than 59,400,000 boardings since the service’s debut, the A Line’s utilization surpassed that of all other RTD rail services in 2025, the agency reported.
The plan outlines funding for transit operations, capital projects, and freight and passenger rail initiatives, as state officials seek public input on priorities shaping mobility and infrastructure across the Commonwealth.
