CTA
The Chicago Transit Board on Feb. 12 approved the award of a $60,000 stipend to STV to advance another pilot project under the CA Innovation Studio, which includes testing camera-based capabilities that detect and respond to intrusions on the ROW at two rail stations.
Through the pilot, CTA will be using a camera detection system to test for intrusions on the ROW. If an intrusion is detected, such as an unauthorized person, this information will be sent to the CTA staff at the Control Center so action can be taken. This technology, the agency says, “has the potential to improve safety by enabling swift intervention in instances where unauthorized people are on the tracks.”
“We are excited to continue to move forward with this important new Innovation Studio initiative,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “We are always focused on identifying new ways to make our system better and safer for our riders and I believe we should take every available opportunity to leverage available technologies to achieve that goal.”
ROW intrusion, defined as a person or object entering or occupying rail track, is a serious safety concern for the CTA and its riders, according to the agency. The CTA receives approximately 2,000 reports every year of people entering the ROW, one of the most common being riders who jump off a platform to retrieve a dropped mobile phone. In addition to the safety hazards posed by this, people entering the ROW also cause frequent delays to service.
The STV pilot will leverage cameras on the platforms to send video to a device which analyzes the video using a computer vision algorithm to identify ROW intrusions. If identified, the system will send an alert to the Control Center for an appropriate intervention. The data will also be used for long-term analysis.
“STV is honored to collaborate with our long-standing partners at CTA to develop a state-of-the-art pilot program focused on improving safety for our local community,” said STV Senior Vice President Kitts Christov. “Our technical experts are using software created by Derq, an award-winning AI and predictive analytics platform, to monitor ROW intrusion detection with real-time data and deliver a modern digital solution that will make our infrastructure safer, smarter and more connected.”
The duration of the pilot will be 12 months, during which CTA says it will monitor the performance of the system, including measuring the percentage of accurate intrusion detections, response times, and the rate of false alarms detected. CTA will also track the percentage of time the system is operational and the decrease in ROW incidents and accidents.
The Innovation Studio was designed to allow CTA to pilot solutions and new technologies for some of CTA’s biggest challenges. It was launched last year, and three problem statements on the topics of safety, internal process improvements, and customer experience were released to solicit proposals from the private sector.
The $60,000 project stipend will cover the cost of hardware and installation, software customization and integration, and the testing at two rail stations.
CTA will return to the Chicago Transit Board later this year to provide updates on the status of this pilot and previously approved and unrelated pilots with GDS and Papercast that are testing solar and battery powered e-ink displays for real-time arrival information at CTA bus stops.
With the approval of this pilot from the Chicago Transit Board, the agency will initiate implementation of the pilot and begin testing the new system.
More information on the CTA Innovation Studio is available here.
NJ Transit
For the fifth straight year, NJ Transit recently announced that it has been recognized by Forbes as one of the best places to work, and for the second consecutive year, the agency was named as one of the best large employers in the nation on the 2025 Forbes America’s Best Employers List. This recognition, the agency says, “builds upon NJ Transit’s standard of excellence” after also being named to the inaugural Forbes 2025 America’s Dream Employers list, as well as being named to Forbes’ 2024 America’s Best-in-State Employers list for the fifth time in the last seven years.
“Our customers are at the center of everything we do and delivering safe and reliable service starts with fostering a culture of excellence among our employees,” said NJ Transit President & CEO Kris Kolluri. “This recognition from Forbes reinforces our commitment to investing in our workforce, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to provide the best possible service to our customers.”
The 2025 Forbes America’s Best Employers List was compiled through independent surveys from a vast sample of more than 217,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 1,000 people within the U.S. The survey was conducted with companies from all industry sectors and took an average of 5-8 minutes to complete. NJ Transit ranked 591 out of all large employers nationwide, and 24th of all employers in the “Transportation and Logistics” industry.
The final score was based on two types of evaluations:
- Personal – Evaluations given by employees themselves, also known as direct evaluations.
- Public – Evaluations given by friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work in the same industry – also known as indirect evaluations. A much higher weight was placed on personal evaluations.
This resulted in two sub-lists: one for “Mid” sized organizations (those with 1,000 to 5,000 employees) and “Large” sized organizations (those with more than 5,000 employees).
Statista, which Forbes partnered with to conduct the survey, publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, “the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, relevant business data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys.”
The complete list is available here.
WMATA
Waymap, a navigation app designed for people with vision impairments that is making complex city spaces and transit systems more accessible for everyone, on Feb. 12 announced its platform is now live across the entire WMATA transit system, including 98 rail stations.
With an estimated 50 million Americans reporting some degree of vision loss, Waymap is “a powerful free tool expanding travel and community connection for people with vision impairments and other disabilities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, according to the company.
“Access to navigation means access to the world—and to all the social, emotional, and professional opportunities it holds,” said Waymap Founder and President Tom Pey. “From lifelong residents with disabilities to visitors and others who have a harder time getting around, everyone should be able to explore all that this great city has to offer. We are grateful to have Metro as a partner in bringing this possibility closer to reality.”
Founded in 2017 and inspired and informed by the experiences of its Founder and President, Tom Pey, Waymap’s proprietary SmartStep™ technology gives turn-by-turn, step-by-step audio instructions with up to three feet of accuracy throughout a user’s journey. With more than 32 million square feet (and counting) of real estate mapped globally, Waymap is the only personal navigation system that does not rely on mobile phone signal, WiFi, Bluetooth beacons, GPS, or other physical infrastructure, according to the company.
“Metro plays a vital role in the community—connecting people in the region to jobs, schools, major attractions, and recreational activities. Ensuring that America’s Metro System is a leader in accessibility on a global scale is a priority for all of us at Metro,” said WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. “Safe, accessible public transit not only increases ridership, but it also leads to a stronger economy, improved access to arts and culture, and a better place to live and work overall. Waymap also has the potential to make our region’s transportation network easier for all people to navigate.”
While Washington D.C. is the first entire city and transportation network to become available on Waymap’s platform, the company plans to expand to more cities across the U.S. and internationally in the coming year. Waymap’s location technology is currently live in cities and locations including:
- Birmingham New Street and University Stations, Birmingham, UK
- Glasshouse International Music Centre, Newcastle, UK
- King George Station, Brisbane, Australia
- Liverpool One, a leading UK shopping mall
- Principe Pio Station in Madrid, Spain
- Tampines Interchange / SBS Transit, Singapore
- The University of British Columbia, Canada
- Union Station, Los Angeles, Calif.
“At the TELUS Pollinator Fund, the impact arm of TELUS Global Ventures, we’re committed to investing in innovative technologies that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” said Terry Doyle, Managing Partner of TELUS Global Ventures. “Waymap’s groundbreaking navigation platform aligns perfectly with our vision of creating more inclusive and accessible communities by giving visually impaired people the ability and the choice to take public transportation without navigation worries. By supporting Waymap’s expansion in Washington D.C. and beyond, we’re not just investing in a company; we’re investing in a future where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can navigate and experience cities with confidence and independence.”
LIRR
The LIRR on Feb. 12 announced a $150 million investment to connect Ronkonoma Station with the proposed North Terminal at MacArthur Airport, “significantly improving accessibility and enhancing the region’s transportation infrastructure.”
The new funding further leverages a 2022 commitment by the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul of $40 million for a new North Terminal at MacArthur Airport, the agency noted. The project will include a pedestrian walkway linking the airport and LIRR station, redesigned road networks and upgrades to various infrastructure. These enhancements, LIRR says, “will improve passenger experience, reduce travel times and position MacArthur Airport as a key transportation hub for Long Island.”
By improving connectivity and unlocking the potential of 48 acres of land surrounding the station, the project, LIRR says, will drive further development and tourism growth
“The LIRR is the fastest, safest and most economical way to travel across Long Island and this project is a unique opportunity to help take more cars off the roads,” said LIRR President Rob Free. “Moving MacArthur’s terminal closer to Ronkonkoma station will encourage people to take the train to the airport. The LIRR is already the best travel experience to JFK, and we are ready to help MacArthur Airport grow by bringing that same great travel experience there too.”
