Submission Deadline: Friday, February 22, 2013 at 5pm.

The Northeast Corridor Commission seeks a graduate student to support all aspects of the Commission’s work. Working closely with a small team of highly motivated transportation professionals, the intern will have the opportunity to shape project work in coordination with Commission staff. The Commission is currently developing key reports on the current and future value of the NEC, while participating in the major short- and long-term planning efforts that will guide the development of the NEC. The intern will be responsible for policy research, transportation planning and analysis, report preparation, website content development, assistance with day-to-day office management and administration, and other tasks as assigned. Successful candidates will demonstrate a willingness to undertake unfamiliar initiatives and strong enthusiasm for the Commission’s work.

The Commission maintains a full-time staff in Washington, DC. The Commission is accepting intern applications from current graduate students in the Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York metropolitan areas. This paid internship includes term-time work in spring 2013, with the possibility of extending into summer 2013.

Qualifications

Candidates should be pursuing a masters degree in public policy, urban and regional planning, transportation, business, or a related field. Candidates should have:

• Experience collecting, evaluating, and interpreting quantitative data;

• Excellent skills in written, verbal and graphic communication of quantitative and qualitative information, including the ability to clearly express technical concepts to wide audiences;

• Strong computer skills in data analysis, word processing, and graphic design – experience with the Adobe Creative Suite, data visualizations, and/or geographic information systems (GIS) is preferred; and

• An ability to build relationships with all levels of an organization, work in a fast-paced office environment with tight deadlines, and stay organized and detailed-oriented while working on a wide range of tasks.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should email a cover letter, a resume, and a one-page writing sample to: Jeremy Steinemann, Transportation Analyst, jsteinemann@nec-commission.com . Successful writing samples should emphasize strong writing skills and the ability to communicate technical concepts to broad audiences. Writing samples may pertain to transportation, city planning, public policy, or related issues, but need not demonstrate proficiency in a particular content area. Submission Deadline: Friday, February 22, 2013 at 5pm.

Congress created the Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission (NEC Commission) in recognition of the inherent challenges of coordinating, financing, and implementing major improvements that cross multiple jurisdictions. The Commission’s goals are to lead the creation and implementation of a visionary, long-term, regional investment strategy for the Northeast Corridor; advance near-term projects; coordinate regional planning and communication; and educate stakeholders and the public about the Northeast Corridor’s investment needs and its role in the future economic growth and development of the region.

The NEC Commission is comprised of representatives from each of the NEC states, Amtrak, and the U.S. DOT, with non-voting representatives from freight railroads and states with connecting corridors. For more information about the Commission, visithttp://www.nec-commission.com.

logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Capital Metro, Austin’s regional public transportation provider, is looking for an RAIL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROJECT MANAGER. This position is responsible for the management of the Rail Systems engineering design and construction activities under the supervision of the VP of Rail Operations. Join us in our vision to be a driving force for quality life in the Austin and surrounding communities.

MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY: http://ow.ly/hwnSK

Related articles

• MetroRail ridership soars in 2012
• America’s Fastest Growing Cities
• Austin Employers

Here is a storify post by George Kelley about the recent fire on San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) that stranded commuters and the reactions on twitter.

(Source: YouTube via Reddit)

Some poor bloke on ScotRail gets into an argument with the Ticket checker after getting caught for riding free on the train and doesn’t heed the call to get off the train. Repeatedly. Boom! There comes a fellow-rider who didn’t bat an eye and proceeds to gets involved.. What unfolded next can only be described as the “Scottish treatment” ..

(Source: Fast Company)

A new report from the American Public Transportation Association counters the GOP strategy on high-speed rail and turns the anti-HSR rhetoric argument on its head by saying it is in fact good for the economy.   This report focuses on key issues critical to private investors as they consider investments or future expansion into businesses serving the growing passenger rail markets.

Here is  the crux of the report as explained by the Fast Company: High-speed rail can be a huge driver of jobs and economic growth, and the government has already committed to at least $10 billion worth of spending, with plans for tens of billions more in the coming years.

The report, “The Case for Business Investment in High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail” (PDF) by the American Public Transportation Association finds that in addition to the obvious, but temporary, construction jobs, the benefits ripple out throughout an economy. Most importantly, for each $1 billion spent on train construction, 24,000 permanent jobs are created. That’s a mere $41,667 per job, which looks downright cheap when you’re staring down 9% unemployment.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority estimates that building a high-speed rail link between L.A. and San Francisco would result in 600,000 construction jobs and 450,000 permanent new jobs. There are currently 2.2 million unemployed people in the state; high-speed rail would halve its unemployment rate.

Click here to read the Fast Co. analysis.

Shown below is the APTA presser accompanying this report.

New report shows tangible economic benefits of investments in building a 21st century rail system

Washington, DC – April 6, 2011 –The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) released a report detailing the enormous impact high-speed and intercity passenger rail projects will have in driving  job development,  while also rebuilding America’s manufacturing sector and generating billions of dollars in business sales.  This report focuses on key issues critical to private investors as they consider investments or future expansion into businesses serving the growing passenger rail markets.

The report, “The Case for Business Investment in High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail” reinforces the point that investments in high-speed and intercity rail will have many direct and indirect benefits.  Nationally, due to proposed federal investment of high-speed rail over a six-year period, investment can result in supporting and creating more than 1.3 million jobs.  This federal investment will be the catalyst for attracting state, local and private capital which will result in the support and creation of even more jobs.

According to this new report, investments in building a 21st century rail system will not only lead to a large increase in construction jobs, but to the sustainable, long-term growth of new manufacturing and service jobs across the country.

“It is evident that investing in high-speed and intercity rail projects presents one of the clearest and fastest ways to create green, American jobs and spur long-term economic growth,” said APTA President William Millar. “Investing in high-speed rail is essential for America as we work to build a sustainable, modern transportation system that meets the environmental and energy challenges of the future.”

APTA noted for each $1 billion invested in high-speed rail projects, the analysis predicts the support and creation of 24,000 jobs.

In addition to the thousands of new construction jobs, investments in high-speed rail will jumpstart the U.S. economy. The Economic Development Research Group for the U.S. Conference of Mayors studied the business impact of high-speed rail investment in different urban regions.  For example, in Los Angeles, CA, high-speed rail investment generates $7.6 billion in business sales and $6.1 billion in Chicago, IL.

“Federal high-speed rail investment is a strong driver in getting private companies to invest,” said Kevin McFall, Senior Vice President at Stacy and Witbeck Inc., a leading public transit construction firm. “This program can be a shot in the arm for the manufacturing industry.  These high-speed rail projects will give us the opportunity to put people to work building the rail infrastructure this country desperately needs.”

“U.S. businesses have been known for their cutting edge technologies and innovations, said Jeffrey Wharton, President of IMPulse NC. “We need to put this expertise to work, providing business and employment opportunities while catching up with the rest of the world in high-speed rail and its associated benefits.”

“We are excited about the prospect of putting Americans to work building the rail tracks and equipment that will keep America’s economic recovery moving forward,” said Charles Wochele, Vice President for Industry and Government Relations at Alstom Transport. “We look forward to partnering with the federal and state governments to ensure these projects get off the ground.”

Here is a related article (and some interesting comments to go with it) I posted a couple of days ago.

(Source: Reuters & The Transport Politic)

China and Argentina have agreed to invest about $10 billion over several years to renovate the Latin American country’s dilapidated railway system and build a subway for its second-largest city. Funds come from the China Development Bank and will require a 15% match from the Argentinian government.

The $10B breaks down as follows:

Argentina will receive $4.35 billion to renovate three freight railroad lines, including $1.85 billion to improve conditions on the Belgrano Line, which links the country to Bolivia and is an important link for the nation’s agricultural producers.  Argentina’s once-extensive rail network was largely dismantled during the privatisations of the 1990s. But as agricultural output soars, farmers and grain elevators — who send more than 80 percent of grains by costly road transport — have been calling for investment to revive the railways.

Road transport costs about 7 U.S. cents per tonne per kilometre in South America’s No. 3 economy — about twice the cost of rail cargo and four times what it costs to transport grains by boat, according to the grains exchange in the country’s biggest agricultural port, Rosario.

More than four billion dollars for the improvement of the Buenos Aires Subway and the creation of a four-corridor Metro in Cordoba — projects.

China in recent years has been dipping into its deep pockets to fund infrastructure projects in poor and emerging economies that bolster relations and often further Beijing’s own economic goals by helping bring goods and raw materials to market faster.  I’d not be surprised if the Chinese are looking to export their rail technology to not just the developing parts of the world but also to advanced economies such as the USA.  The world better learn fast how to say Ni Hao!

Click here to read more.

Related articles by Zemanta

• China splashes billions on Argentine rail, subway (reuters.com)
• China to Invest $10B in Argentina’s Railways (abcnews.go.com)
• China to invest $10B in Argentina’s railways (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• China signs deals to $10B invest in Argentina’s railways but no progress on soy dispute (taragana.com)
• China to invest $10B in Argentina’s railways (sfgate.com)
• Argentina Is Latest Country To Outsource Its Infrastructure To China (businessinsider.com)

As the U.S. looks to improve passenger transportation, join us for a live Webinar where industry experts will share experiences, examine challenges and present various approaches of successful high-speed rail projects.

Panelists include:
•Rick Harnish, Executive Director of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association
•Peter Gertler, Vice President of HNTB
•Chuck Pineda, Rail Division Manager – US for OHL
•Antonio Pérez, CEO of TALGO America
•Susana Mate, Assistant Director of Industry and Technology for the Trade Commission of Spain in Chicago

The panel will discuss the elements of a high-speed rail system, as well as the similarities and differences of projects in Spain, the U.S. and around the world; from how they are planned and engineered to how they are built and operated.

Hosted by the Trade Commission of Spain in Chicago, www.spaintechnology/rail.

Register at: www.masstransitmag.com/hi-speedrail

(Source: CNN)

• Tunnel will link New Jersey with New York, doubles commuter rail capacity
• Part of project financed by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
• ARC, Access to the Region’s Core, expected to create 6,000 jobs

Image Courtesy: Arctunnel.com

The new tunnel, said to be the largest commitment to any transportation project anywhere in the United States in the history of the Department of Transportation, according to administrator Peter Rogoff of the Federal Transportation Administration, will link New Jersey with New York and eventually will double capacity on the nation’s busiest rail corridor, running from Washington to Boston, Massachusetts, officials said.

Officials participated in the groundbreaking for the $8.7 billion project as commuter trains passed behind them in North Bergen, New Jersey, before entering the existing train tunnel, which went into operation in 1908.

“As we start digging this tunnel, I think that what really it means, we are digging our way out of an economic crisis,” said Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey. “As we’re getting under way, we’re seeing the dividends of the Recovery Act being paid right now.”

The project — known as ARC, for Access to the Region’s Core — is expected to create 6,000 design and construction jobs.New Jersey Transit says 170,000 passengers now travel through the existing train tunnel beneath the Hudson River to New York each day. When completed, the second tunnel will enable that figure to increase to 255,000 passenger trips. The additional passengers will disembark at a new concourse to be built at Penn Station in New York, 150 feet below street level.