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In the New York metropolitan region, there are over 50,000 people employed in rail transit in five separate public rail agencies, including both heavy rail (sometimes called subway or rapid rail) and commuter rail. This represents approximately two thirds of all rail transit employees in the United States. Each of these five agencies is struggling to provide quality service while containing their costs.
Project publications may be ordered by contacting Dr. Ellen Thorson.
In order to ascertain the reliability of visual inspection (VI) used to inspect highway bridges nationwide according to National Bridge Inspection Standards and to identify factors affecting the reliability, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) carried out a detailed study in 2001. During this study, 49 inspectors from 25 different States participated in the inspection of a number of control bridges associated with the FHWA Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Validation Center.
Discussing Philadelphia’s streetcar system with the city council in 1859, Mayor Alexander Henry proclaimed that, “Perhaps no public improvement has ever promised more general benefit to the community.” But Mayor Henry did not consider Philadelphia’s black residents when he made this statement. Since the city’s railway companies barred black people from traveling in the streetcars, the “general benefit” created by streetcars was for the city’s white residents.
The airport access project addresses a longstanding problem affecting New York City travelers and residents, as well as out-of-town travelers. The project plans to link JFK International Airport to two transit terminals, Jamaica Station and Howard Beach Station. It is expected that over 34,000 passengers and employees will use the light rail system annually.
The NJDOT has experienced escalating highway right-of-way costs in recent years. It is necessary to determine the important characteristics of remainders of partial taking that affect right-of-way costs. Much of the right-of-way being acquired only results in a partial taking of abutting property. The remaining property might have access/egress, circulation, and parking patterns disrupted.
