advertisement

---

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) announced plans to make commuter train seats and tables safer.

RITA’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center recently awarded two contracts worth $850,000 to TIAX L.L.C. to develop a passenger seat/worktable designed to absorb energy upon impact, thereby reducing the risk of head, chest, abdomen and leg injuries. It’ll also be designed to enable passengers to evacuate a train more easily following a collision.

In addition, TIAX – a “collaborative product and technology development firm, “ according to the company’s Web site -- develop “improved” three-person seats to help reduce injury risk and ensure seats remain attached to the floor upon impact.

“We want to do everything we can to make commuter trains safe,” said RITA Administrator Ashok Kaveeshwar in a prepared statement.