Tag: safety (Page 2 of 18)

Eve and Moviation Sign Letter of Intent for First eVTOL Urban ATM for South Korea

October 1, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Melbourne, Florida, September 28, 2023 – Eve Air Mobility (NYSE: EVE) and Moviation, South Korea’s first Urban Air Mobility (UAM) service provider, announced the signature of a Letter of Intent to purchase Eve’s Urban ATM solution. The software solution will be a key enabler to the implementation and scalability of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and provides critical traffic management services that will play an essential role in enabling the global UAM market to scale.

The agreement comes as Eve’s Urban ATM (Air Traffic Management) concept has been adopted as part of Korea’s K-UAM Grand Challenge. The Challenge is a phased demonstration program in which Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicle safety and traffic management solutions are tested in urban conditions and environments for suitability to support the commercialization of UAM in 2025.

From before take-off to after landing, the urban air environment will count on integrated systems, services and technologies being developed by Eve to enable the safe launch of an efficient and predictable ecosystem to support eVTOL operations alongside many other airspace users. In the future, the advancement of infrastructure and regulation will rely on these network management services to enable autonomous flight.

KiwiRail announces changes to avoid repeat of Wellington rail disruption

September 4, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

September 3, 2023

KiwiRail has welcomed the Government’s rapid review into its handling of disruptions to passenger services in Wellington earlier this year and has already moved to change its systems.

Improvements made include:

Use of the TEC to achieve network compliance is now part of a wider Infrastructure Integrated Plan, with a longer-term (12 month) plan around its use nationally. While there have been detailed operating plans for each area the TEC assesses, this change introduces a national level of oversight, linked into when track safety cases expire.
Developing robust processes and procedures around the escalation, prioritisation and approvals required where the TEC schedule cannot be met.This is an important backup if it is looking unlikely the TEC will be able to carry out required work in time. The issues that resulted in the Wellington disruption were escalated too late for KiwiRail to take effective action to avoid the speed restriction being put on the Kāpiti Line.
Developing better resilience around the TEC, through a review of the tasks needed to ensure its successful operation – including a review of existing staff resourcing and formalising training processes. This is to ensure the TEC is able to operate effectively.
Reviewing the maintenance programme for the TEC. The TEC is 41 years old and will be replaced in FY2027. A procurement process for a new vehicle is well underway. The maintenance programme review, and any changes that come from it, will help ensure the TEC can continue operating reliably until the new vehicle arrives.

General Manager Metros Jon Knight says KiwiRail has made a huge commitment to the local commuter rail network, and will work hard to deliver on the Government’s investment.

Alstom consortium picked to deliver Dominican Republic’s first monorail system

August 28, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

August 28, 2023 – Alstom (OTC: ALSMY), a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, announces that the Consortium SIF (led by Alstom and including Sofratesa) has been selected by Fideicomiso para el Desarrollo del Sistema de Transporte Masivo (FITRAM) of the Dominican Republic to deliver an integrated Innovia monorail system for the city of Santiago de los Caballeros. When completed, the 13-kilometre, 14-station Santiago de los Caballeros monorail system will be the first of its kind in the country and in the Caribbean. The system is dimensioned to carry up to 20,000 passengers per hour per direction (pphpd) and will provide faster and more efficient connections between the city’s northwest and southeast areas.

Alstom’s scope within the contract includes system integration, testing and commissioning of the full system and the supply of Innovia monorail trains as well as Cityflo 650 GOA4 driverless signalling, Hesop reversible power supply, conductor rail, high-speed interchange switch systems and depot equipment. Alstom’s share of the contract is worth approximately €370 million. This project is carried out with financing from the French government.

Alstom will deliver the 13 four-car automated Innovia Monorail 300 trains, which incorporate the design and operational features required for a high-capacity urban transport system. These features include automatic driverless operation, bi-directional operations, and compliance with international safety requirements and standards. Capitalising on Alstom’s strong leadership with over 30 years’ expertise in communications-based train control (CBTC), Alstom’s Cityflo 650 CBTC solution — the first driverless rail control system in the Dominican Republic— will support the highest grade of automation (GoA4), allowing for high reliability, shorter intervals between trains, flexible and safe operations, and reduced maintenance costs. To further increase the energy efficiency of the system, Alstom will install Hesop reversible power stations, which translates into not only building fewer substations along the alignment but also recovering and reinjecting up to 99% braking energy from the trains back into the network.

Dassault’s Falcon 6X receives EASA and FAA certification

August 22, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Saint-Cloud, France, August 22, 2023 – Today, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued the type certificate for the Dassault (AM.PA) Falcon 6X, followed by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

These certifications conclude a more than two-year-long test campaign during which 1,500 flight hours were logged worldwide. It is a significant step on the path to entry into service for the Falcon 6X, with the first units undergoing final completion.

The Falcon 6X is the most spacious, advanced and versatile twinjet in the long-range business jet segment. It has been recognized with various design awards, including the Red Dot Award and the International Yacht & Aviation Award.

SBB says rail traffic in the Gotthard Base Tunnel interrupted

August 13, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

When a freight train derailed, the track system and a lane change gate in the Gotthard base tunnel were severely damaged. This safety-relevant device is required to separate the two tunnel tubes. Safety has top priority, which is why the second tube cannot be used for passenger or freight traffic. It cannot be used for freight traffic until at least midnight on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. This increases the travel time between German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino by around an hour. Since international travelers have to change trains in Chiasso, their travel time is about two hours longer. SBB apologizes for the inconvenience.

A precise statement on the cause and extent of damage cannot be made at this time. The Swiss Safety Investigation Board and the cantonal investigation authorities are investigating the accident. The accident site has not yet been released by the investigative authorities for clean-up and repair work.

Due to the increased volume of traffic and the limited alternative connections at the weekend and the limited number of seats, SBB urgently recommends postponing spontaneous train journeys via the Gotthard and asks for your understanding.

According to the Railway Ordinance, freight trains can travel on the panoramic route up to a certain corner height. Accordingly, a large proportion of inland transport is carried out via this route, while a small proportion is temporarily transported by road. Combined transport (containers, semi-trailers, trucks) exceeds this corner height and can therefore only drive on the Gotthard axis via the Gotthard base tunnel. For this reason, combined transport in the transit area is diverted via the Lötschberg-Simplon axis or retained in the exit terminals. There are only small restrictions on the transport of goods and the flow of goods is ensured. SBB will provide information again in due course.

Texas Central and Amtrak Seek to Explore High-Speed Rail Service Opportunities

August 9, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Washington, D.C. – Texas Central Partners (“Texas Central”) and Amtrak are seeking opportunities to advance planning and analysis work associated with the proposed Dallas-Houston 205-mph high-speed rail project to further determine its viability. Amtrak has cooperated with Texas Central on various initiatives since 2016 and the two entities are currently evaluating a potential partnership to further study and potentially advance the project.

The proposed approximately 240-mile route would offer a total travel time of less than 90 minutes between two of the top five major U.S. metropolitan areas and would complement future, new and improved corridor and long-distance service in the southern region.

Texas Central and Amtrak have submitted applications to several federal programs in connection with further study and design work for the potential Dallas to Houston segment, including the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure Safety and Improvements (CRISI) grant program, the Corridor Identification and Development program, and the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (FSP-National) grant program.

Amtrak has worked with Texas Central since 2016 when it entered into agreements to provide through-ticketing using the Amtrak reservation system and other support services for the planned high-speed rail line.

In addition to current Amtrak service in Texas and planned station improvements, Amtrak submitted grant applications for daily Sunset Limited service and the extension of the Crescentfrom Mississippi through Louisiana and Texas. Amtrak supports Kansas DOT’s Heartland FlyerExtension Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) application that will connect Wichita and communities across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas to the Amtrak network. Amtrak also supports Texas DOT’s applications for the Texas Triangle (Dallas – Fort Worth – Houston – San Antonio) routes.

Data Finds Overwhelming Support for Passenger Rail in America

August 7, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

WASHINGTON, District of Columbia – Amtrak published survey findings today that demonstrate strong support from American voters for continued passenger rail investments, including infrastructure renewal and service expansion. Conducted by the Mellman Group and commissioned by Amtrak to better understand America’s interest in intercity passenger rail service, findings show consistent support for passenger rail across geographic location, age, race and gender.

Survey highlights include:

92% say it’s important for the United States to invest in passenger rail safety and service improvements;
86% believe in the importance of a strong American passenger rail system;
83% support passenger rail investments identified by Congress in the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (i.e. modern trains, aging tunnel and bridge replacements, new routes, etc.); and
81% want their state to invest in bringing more passenger rail service to their local area.

The 2023 survey was conducted by the Mellman Group and surveyed 1,000 registered U.S. voters. View the executive summary here.

JetBlue Names Susan Pfingstler as Vice President JetBlue University

July 25, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

New York, July 24, 2023, (BUSINESS WIRE) – JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) today announced the appointment of Susan Pfingstler to vice president, JetBlue University. In this role, Pfingstler will oversee the carrier’s award-winning training programs and facilities. She will report to Warren Christie, JetBlue’s head of safety, security, fleet operations and JetBlue University.

From locations in Orlando, New York and Salt Lake City, JetBlue University offers new hire and recurrent training for JetBlue’s airports, customer support (reservations), flight operations, inflight, system operations, and technical operations (maintenance) crewmembers, as well as pilot training services for a variety of other airlines around the world.

Pfingstler comes to JetBlue from United Airlines where she served as the managing director, network operations, air traffic control strategy. Previously, she held positions with the Federal Aviation Administration, the International Air Transport Association, and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. She spent the first decade of her career as a New York City-based pilot in both the corporate and Part 121 airline arenas.

Pfingstler holds a bachelor’s degree in professional aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is a Board Member of NASA’s Advisory Council Aeronautics Committee and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Eve Air Mobility and Embraer Announce First eVTOL Production Location in Brazil

July 20, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Sao Jose Dos Campos, Brazil – July 20, 2023 – Eve Air Mobility (NYSE: EVEX) and Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) announced today that the first electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) production facility will be located in the city of Taubaté, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Subject to the final authorities’ approval, the manufacturing plant will be situated on a designated portion of land within Embraer’s existing unit in the city that will be expanded.

The site benefits from a strategic logistical location, offering easy access via two highways and close proximity to a railroad. Another significant advantage is the region’s proximity to Embraer’s headquarters in São José dos Campos and Eve’s engineering and human resources team, which will facilitate the development and sustainability of new production processes, enhancing Eve’s agility and competitiveness.

In May 2022, Eve announced a partnership with Porsche Consulting to define Eve’s eVTOL global manufacturing, supply chain and logistics macro strategy. The two companies have since worked together to research advanced manufacturing and innovation concepts and used their combined aeronautical and automotive expertise to design a concept of industrialization for eVTOL aircraft based on high safety, quality, efficiency and customer focus.

Eve continues to progress in developing its eVTOL. The company also focuses on creating a comprehensive portfolio of agnostic solutions, including a unique Urban Air Traffic Management (Urban ATM) software to optimize and scale Urban Air Mobility operations worldwide.

Alstom delivers the first cars to the Tren Maya railway project

July 10, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

July 10, 2023 – Alstom (OTC: ALSMY), global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has completed the delivery of the first train of the Tren Maya project to the Federal Government and Fondo Nacional de Fomento al Turismo (FONATUR). The cars are a depiction of Mexico’s art culture, reflecting the varied colours and textures of the region’s art. These first 4 cars will form the first of the 31 Xiinbal type of trains that Alstom will deliver to the project in different configurations, featuring large panoramic windows to allow passengers to enjoy scenic views.

The first cars departed Alstom’s manufacturing facility in Ciudad Sahagún, Hidalgo, on July 3rd. The four cars were wrapped and transported on special platforms, travelling 1,943 kilometres over five days until they reached the workshop and depot in Cancún. A team of experts has already started the meticulous unloading of the cars, after which they will assemble the cars to form the first train. Once assembled, the trains will undergo exhaustive testing to validate the functionality and safety of the different train components, prior to integration and testing with the rail infrastructure.

The Tren Maya project stands out not only for the latest mobility technologies included in the project but also for its representation of the history and culture of Mexico through the three different train designs. Each car is equipped with air conditioning, ergonomic and reclining seats, video surveillance systems and passenger information screens, with dedicated spaces for luggage storage. Since the floor is flat throughout, passengers with reduced mobility will have full liberty of movement. With these design features, combined with an ability to operate at a maximum speed of 160 km/h, the trains will deliver an efficient means of transport and excellent passenger experience.

These first cars also feature advanced digital technologies such as an automatic train control system (ERTMS) to provide optimal efficiency and high levels of safety and security, Further, Alstom will deploy HealthHub and TrainScanner, its digital solutions for condition-based and predictive maintenance, enabling continuous health and condition monitoring of different train components, signalling and infrastructure to guarantee the maximum reliability and availability of the trains, while optimising the lifecycle costs of each train.

Alstom is expected to complete the full deliver of all 42 X’trapolis trains (219 cars) in the last quarter of 2024.

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