Tom O'Connor Group

Economic and management consulting firm

Category Archives: transportation

Today in Transportation History: Air Florida Flight 90

Today, January 13, 1982, adapted from Anniversaries: According to the TV news, an extremely cold Arctic outbreak had spread across the eastern half of the United States, dropping temperatures to -25°F in Chicago and near 0°F in Atlanta. There was a major freeze in the central Florida citrus groves. At National Airport, the temperature dropped to 2°F. …

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Amtrak and Coronavirus Safety

  Amtrak is leading the way by setting a new standard of travel with enhanced safety and cleaning measures. With a full-time medical director and public health and safety team who have been on the front lines throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, we have studied, analyzed and made improvements to the Amtrak travel experience – from …

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Penn Station, NYC, Derailments and Repairs

  Amtrak officials knew for years that they would have to replace large sections of deteriorating track in Pennsylvania Station in New York City. As engineering crews applied short-term fixes to rows of rotted ties, crumbling concrete and eroded steel, some of their managers repeatedly warned of the growing need to address underlying problems. While …

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Flying Scotsman trip back on after Network Rail U-turn

  The Flying Scotsman’s planned trips in Borders and Fife are to go ahead after earlier being cancelled at short notice. Track operator Network Rail said on Friday that the famous steam locomotive would no longer be able to undertake planned tours on Sunday because safety assessments had not been carried out on some lines …

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Amtrak crash shows U.S. anti rail-collision system may have gaps

  Sunday’s fatal Pennsylvania Amtrak accident may have exposed possible blind spots in a nationwide collision prevention system that is meant to stop crashes on U.S. railroads. Amtrak last year became the first U.S. railroad to fully install “positive train control” (PTC) systems on its routes, a congressionally mandated technology that uses antennae on locomotives …

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Fairfax Government Delays and Closings

  Fairfax County Government offices are open today, – Tuesday, February 16 –, however employees have been granted unscheduled leave. Emergency service personnel should report as scheduled. Fairfax County Public Schools are closed today, – Tuesday, February 16. School Age Child Care(SACC) centers are closed. The Fairfax County Circuit Court, General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court have …

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Another Snow Day!

Fairfax County Government, Courts and Schools CLOSED Tuesday, Jan. 26   Government, Courts and Schools Fairfax County Government offices/facilities will be CLOSED on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016. Employees are granted emergency administrative leave. Emergency service personnel should report as scheduled. Emergency services such as public safety will be available. The Fairfax County Circuit Court, General …

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Fairfax Cancellations

  Fairfax County Government, Courts and Schools Closed on Monday, Jan. 25 Fairfax County Government offices/facilities will be closed on Monday, Jan. 25, 2016. Employees are granted emergency administrative leave. Emergency service personnel should report as scheduled. Emergency services such as public safety will be available. The Fairfax County Circuit Court, General District Court and Juvenile and …

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