A new pedestrian grade crossing system was activated yesterday at eight stations along the Union Pacific West Line.
The new system, called the Another Train Warning System (ATWS), is part of a multi-million dollar project designed to improve the flow of commuter and freight traffic on the heavily used line, as well as to allow trains to safely operate through a station when a commuter train is stopped there.
The system is being activated at the Maywood, Melrose Park, Elmhurst, Villa Park, Glen Ellyn, College Avenue, Winfield and Geneva stations.
Metra and Union Pacific studied station improvement initiatives across the country and the West Line safety infrastructure is incorporating the best practices, creating the most comprehensive safety system of any commuter rail operation in the United States.
The Another Train Warning System uses audible and visual alerts to warn pedestrians at crossings near the stations that another train—in addition to the one that is stopped at the station—is approaching or present. The system enhances other grade crossing protections, including new paths that safely guide pedestrians to a gated crossing, more pedestrian gates and more inter-track fencing to discourage pedestrians from crossing at unsafe and unauthorized locations.
Work at the stations began in March 2009 and was completed in December 2010. Metra service was not disrupted while the project was under way.
Improved Train Flow
Completion of the third main line in two areas on the route in 2013 will provide capacity to keep trains moving. Installing two universal crossovers will close a 15-mile gap between crossovers on the line in 2011, increasing the use of multiple tracks to bypass rail congestion. An upgraded rail signal system during 2011 will allow trains to safely operate closer together and improve train flow.
Other trains will be able to operate while commuter trains are in stations, as a result of the upgrades.
These improvements, following the completion of the third main line construction, should result in significant reductions in passenger and freight train delays, Metra on-time performance is expected to improve and overall grade crossing gate downtime should improve as well.
The overall project is also an example of Union Pacific continuing to support its customer’s business through strategic investments.
Other information regarding the Metra Union Pacific West Line improvements can be found here.
