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Transportation & Land Use
Railroad Outreach
Program Description
MaineDOT contracts with GPCOG to coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive outreach and incident management program for Maine and coastal New Hampshire. Since 2000, GPCOG and Maine Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) have organized presentations to over 35,000 school children, 1,900 emergency responders, 600 school bus drivers, 150 fuel truck drivers, 800 teenagers in driver education classes, public meetings, and transit drivers in advance of passenger rail service restoration to Maine in December 2001. MaineDOT is now the lead program sponsor. The program area includes the State of Maine, with an emphasis on the rail corridors from Plaistow, NH to Portland, Maine, and from Portland to Rockland.
Funding
The program is funded by the Maine Department of Transportation.
Staffing
Staffing is administered by GPCOG and staffed by Erik West and Maine Operation Lifesaver volunteers.
PROMPT I: Portland to Boston
The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) contracted with GPCOG to coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive outreach and incident management program in anticipation of the return of passenger rail service to New Hampshire and Maine in 2001.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) advised NNEPRA to develop an outreach and incident management plan in preparation for passenger rail service after a 30-year hiatus. During FY 2001, GPCOG organized presentations to over 24,000 school children, 1900 fire and rescue crews, 274 school bus drivers, 40 fuel truck drivers, and 300 teenagers in driver education classes.
The program was focused on the five "station towns," but included at least 20 municipalities along the rail corridor from Plaistow, NH to Portland, Maine.
The program included the following components:
School presentations were conducted in schools throughout the corridor. Incident management training sessions were held in two areas while ensuring that surrounding municipalities are invited to participate. Area rail presentations were conducted by Amtrak and Guilford safety personnel and coordinated by each area RPC or COG.
PROMPT II Portland to Rockland
Maine DOT has contracted with GPCOG to coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive rail safety outreach and incident management program for Maine and Coastal New Hampshire with the emphasis on the Portland to Rockland railroad corridor. The program includes the following components:
School presentations are being conducted in schools throughout the corridor.
PROMPT Key Contacts
Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA)
NNEPRA was established by LD 1255 in 1995 to "initiate and support the provision of passenger rail service between points within the State of Maine and points within and outside the state." NNEPRA is responsible for the passenger rail restoration project, construction oversight, station development, marketing and hiring the operator. (John Englert, Executive Director, 207-780-1000.)
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)
The nation's largest passenger rail service, Amtrak has been chosen by NNEPRA to operate the service. There are four round trips per day between Portland and Boston, using three passenger cars, cafe car, locomotive, and a combination control/baggage unit, or "cabbage car." (Victor Salemme, 207-828-3939 ext. 311.)
Click here to see the current rail service in this area.
Guilford Transportation Industries (GTI)
Guilford owns the railroad and property on which Amtrak passenger service will be operated. Guilford operates freight trains in Maine and New Hampshire to service various companies and consumers. Emergency response training is coordinated with Maine Emergency Management Agency on a regular basis. (David Fink, Vice President - 978-663-1108.)
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
The FRA is the safety and regulatory agency that oversees specifications and standards for tracks, signals, rail equipment, operations, transport of hazardous materials, grade crossing safety and trespass prevention. FRA reviewed the rail rehabilitation process for the Portland to Boston corridor. (Regional Administrator, 800 724-5991.)
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
The FTA funded much of the rail restoration project, and is also responsible for construction oversight, safety and ensuring connections with other transit and transportation systems. Other FTA priorities include safety, public outreach, and inter-modal connections. (Richard Doyle, FTA Regional Administrator, 617-494-2055.)
Maine and New Hampshire Departments of Transportation (MaineDOT and NHDOT)
MaineDOT is responsible for administering some of the federal funds allocated for the rail restoration process. The Office of Passenger Transportation (Ron Roy, 207-287-3318) has launched a Strategic Passenger Plan that calls for, among other things, high-speed rail service linking Maine's major cities. The Office of Freight (Rob Elder, 207-287-2841) ensures that rail continues to play a key role in the movement of goods. NHDOT is coordinating the funding, design and construction of rail platforms in the three NH station communities. (Nancy Mayville, 603-271-2107.) The Bureau of Railroads and Public Transportation oversees freight rail, passenger rail and other public transit services. (Christopher Morgan, 603-271-2468.)
Maine and New Hampshire Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
Operation Lifesaver is a nationwide program dedicated to highway-rail crossing safety and the prevention of accidents associated with trespassing on railroad property. Maine and New Hampshire chapters are actively involved in rail safety presentations to schools, driver education programs and civic groups. (Fred Hirsch, Maine Operation Lifesaver, 207-827-7367 (info@maineol.org ); Lyman Cousens, New Hampshire Operation Lifesaver, 603-228-1401)
TrainRiders Northeast
TrainRiders initiated the return of passenger rail service in 1989. A grassroots, citizens' organization whose purpose is to educate the public and public officials about the benefits of passenger rail travel, TrainRiders has been intensely involved in the restoration of passenger rail service in Maine, NH and abroad. (Wayne E. Davis, Chairman, 207-879-7245.)
Rail Safety Brochures
Rail Safety Brochures are available in English, French and Spanish (Download below).
Downloadable files:
Rail Safety ENGLISH
Rail Safety FRENCH
Rail Safety SPANISH
Maine Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver is a nationwide program dedicated to highway-rail crossing safety and the prevention of injuries and deaths associated with trespassing on railroad property. GPCOG works closely with Maine Operation Lifesaver conducting rail safety presentations to schools, emergency responders, truck drivers, school bus drivers, driver education programs and civic groups. (Fred Hirsch, Maine Operation Lifesaver, 207-827-7367 or Fred Hirsch (
info@maineol.org )
Resources & Useful Links
Rail Outreach Links
Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA)
www.thedowneaster.com
National Association of Railroad Passengers (Amtrak)
www.amtrak.com
Guilford Transportation, Inc.
www.guilfordrail.com/
Maine Operation Lifesaver
www.oli.org
Operation Lifesaver Rail Safety Education
www.maineol.org Maine Operation Lifesaver
www.gpcog.org
Greater Portland Council of Governments
www.smrpc.org
Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission
www.trainridersne.org
TrainRiders Northeast
Maine Department of Transportation
www.maine.gov/mdot
- Go Maine
- Land Use
- Maine Clean Communities
- Mountain Division
- The Move! Program
- PACTS
- Regional Corridor Coalitions
- Railroad Outreach
- Small Starts
- Transit Guide
- Transit Planning
- Traveler Information (TIDS)
Transportation & Land Use
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