RSA IN THE USA

This article reports on some major innovations in the Amtrak rail network in the USA's North East Corridor and in light rail in New Jersey (NJ). From May 1999, Amtrak services have been simplified to first, business, and coach class. The new ACELA (acceleration and excellence) tilting trains will reduce Amtrak's journey time between Boston and New York from 5h to 3h, and between New York and Washington from 3h to 2.5h. ACELA trains are based on the French TGV trains; 20 have been ordered by AMTRAK, and two had been delivered by Autumn 1999. Each ACELA train has 304 seats, and includes one first-class and four business-class coaches. Amtrak is in the middle of its largest and widest customer service initiative; it guarantees world-class service to every customer on every train, and gives customers a credit for future travel if it fails to deliver it. Amtrak and Motorola have designed an automated on-board fare collection system, the first in the USA, which uses advanced technology to track train trips and revenues and provide effortless, seamless journeys. Amtrak is also investing in smart card technology. The initial stage of the new Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Transit system links Bayonne, NJ to Jersey City centre, the Hudson ferries, PATH services to Newark, NJ and New York, and main-line commuter services at Hoboken, NJ.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00268356
• Corporate Authors:

  Ian Allan Publishing, Limited

  Riverdene Business Park, Riverdene Industrial Estate
  Molesey Road
  Walton-on-Tham, Surrey  United Kingdom  KT12 4RG
• Authors:
  • HUNTER, D
  • HEAPS, C
  • MALINS, R
• Publication Date: 2000-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 26-7
• Serial:
  • MODERN RAILWAYS
  • Volume: 57
  • Issue Number: 617
  • Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing, Limited
  • ISSN: 0026-8356

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Improvements; Intercity transportation; Networks; Payment; Public transit; Quality control; Railroad trains; Railroad transportation; Smart cards; Tariffs; Traffic control; Travel time; Trip length; Trolley cars
• Uncontrolled Terms: Decreases; Quality; Transportation networks
• Geographic Terms: United States
• ITRD Terms: 9000: Alternative; 9009: Decrease; 9108: Improvement; 388: Inter urban; 697: Journey time; 1054: Network (traffic); 272: Payment; 744: Public transport; 9063: Quality; 1173: Rail bound transport; 290: Smart card; 241: Tariff; 654: Traffic control; 1268: Train; 8122: USA
• Subject Areas: Finance; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00790338
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Apr 11 2000 12:00AM