TrackSafe Simulation

Bombardier Transportation hosted a simulated demonstration of TrackSafe, a turn-key solution that improves location awareness of subway track-level workers and train operators using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and other advanced technologies. Participating in the simulation were 75 people from the TTC, Bombardier, McMaster University, and officials from government, the RFID community and related safety organizations with the intention of seeking input to further enhance the effectiveness of the design.

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Tokyo "Power" Station

The East Japan Railway Company is collecting the kinetic energy generated by crowds walking on the floor of Tokyo Station, and using this collected energy to power their ticket gates and display systems. The technology that enables this alternative energy is called piezoelectric flooring, which transfers the kinetic energy of feet contacting the floor into what is expected to generate over 1,400 kw per day.

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Smart Design has just arrived at the Subway Station

Have you ever waited for a subway in a museum? Or been in a station that looks like a palace? Or a space ship? Take a trip with us to visit the world's most unique and impressive subway stations. You just might wish for a train delay to spend more time in these remarkable environments.

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The Girl Effect

Every now and then we come across a presentation that blows us away. The Girl Effect is an example of very simple graphics and music making a powerful statement about a pressing social issue in the developing world. You might be asking, "what does this have to do with a smart railroad?". Many of you may watch this video and pass the link on to a friend - or many friends. The Web is the most powerful and cost-effective means of communication and motivating people to take action. What if you could use these "viral campaigns" to inspire and recruit future transit talent, or get an entire community behind an important transit investment at your system? Watch The Girl Effect and get inspired. Watch The Girl Effect.

Open Source Innovation

At Bombardier, we are world leaders in design - from High Speed Trains to Trams and Subway systems, we create vehicles that do more than move people. Constantly looking for new ways to innovate, we hosted an open design contest called YouRail for designers around the world to collaborate on interior train designs. YouRail was a huge success with ideas that will inspire you.

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The 100 Day Plan

Jay Walder took over at the New York MTA in October of 2009 and promised a solid plan in his first 100 days. This report outlines Walder's findings and where he will focus to improve performance and reduce costs to operate one of the world's largest transportation companies. A very good read that addresses everything from merger issues and redundancy of services, to enhancing Customer Service through improved technology. Read the full plan here

How to be Creative by Hugh MacLeod

We discovered an illustrator named Hugh MacLeod, who first made his name with “cartoons drawn on the back of business cards”. One of his most downloaded manifestos is called How to be Creative - an inspirational and funny look at how to innovate, regardless of what you do for a living. Click on the link below to view it - it just might make you see the world a little differently.

View How to be Creative: Click here

Smart Idea: Innovation and the Tata Nano

We have a friend named Paul who runs a major US transit system. Paul has been in the business for thirty years - running small systems in the Northeastern US, working in the Middle East, and managing some of the best systems in America. Paul often tells us about the many innovations that add cost and complexity, leaving him struggling to see how they are able to help him run a better service at less cost. When we read this article about the Tata Nano, it got us thinking about Paul and how innovation comes in many forms. And by the way, we think of Paul whenever we look at problems that need solutions...if we can't add value and make something better, we don't even bother.

Read about Tata's Nano and their innovation philosophy: Click here

Is More Training the Solution to Human Error?

The role of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and how to make training investments stick

We see with far too much regularity accidents and injuries in the transit industry that are the result of human error. One of our knee-jerk reactions is to look at the training provided to our people and simply line our employees up for more of the same. This article suggests that digging deeper into the underlying issues using Root Cause Analysis (RCA) techniques is an investment that we should all consider. RCA is used in many leading maintenance organizations (including our maintenance programs here at Bombardier) but it can, and should, be applied throughout the organization. This article deals with examples from a plant engineering perspective, but it can easily apply in the transit business.

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