FTA awards grant to Sacramento transit agency for track worker warning system

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) has received an $870,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to add a secondary warning system designed to protect employees in light-rail work zones.

SacRT will use the FTA funds to develop, implement and test a system providing three-way communication among track workers, train operators and dispatchers in the central office, according to a SacRT press release.

The agency will work with Harsco Rail Co.'s Protran Technology to install the equipment on its fleet of light-rail vehicles. In addition, 60 track workers will receive a smart device and/or an upgraded warning device.

SacRT will ensure the project includes a data capture component, which will collect information to gauge the demonstration's impact and outcomes. The FTA and other interested agencies will have access to this data, SacRT officials said.