Washington— The Federal Railroad Administration this week announced the first grants awarded through the Railroad Safety Technology Grant Program. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) helped secure $25 million to create the program through her work on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“Many railroad accidents could be prevented by better technology, which is why I have fought for the implementation of Positive Train Control systems since the terrible Chatsworth accident claimed 25 lives in 2008,” said Senator Feinstein. “This new grant program will help accelerate Positive Train Control and other safety technologies, including automatic warnings when a railroad crossing is blocked. I’m proud to support these three California agencies who are leading the way in their efforts to improve railroad safety.”

California passenger rail services won a total of $8.3 million for railroad safety technologies:

• $2.4 million to Metrolink in Southern California to develop management software to help integrate the newly-installed Positive Train Control system with its freight railroad partners.

• $2.9 million to Caltrain in the Bay Area to test and implement its interoperable positive train control system.

• $3.0 million to SMART, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District, for train control software, including a new grade crossing incursion warning system.