RTR Technologies Inc., developer and manufacturer of cold-weather mitigation technology for freight and mass transit authorities nationwide, has been awarded a $6.5 million contract to modernize control systems for contact rail heat and switch heaters throughout the entire Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) system.
In development by MBTA for the past two years, the project will replace outdated controllers with enhanced heating technology and data telemetry. The improvements will reduce costly service interruptions and improve safety for personal and passengers during cold weather conditions, RTR says. In addition, the new equipment supports MBTA’s efforts to reduce overall energy consumption through more efficient, sustainable technology. MBTA is the single largest energy consumer in the state of Massachusetts, RTR adds.
RTR has had numerous cold-weather mitigation contracts with MBTA since its founding in 1994. Slated for completion in 2016, the new control system will be installed along all above-ground MBTA tracks. RTR’s open source architecture enables the MBTA the ability to expand the functionality of the controller systems, the company says.
RTR has developed a range of products to insure uninterrupted cold-weather operations, improved safety and reduced energy consumption in mass transit and freight systems. Contact rail heat, switch point heaters, CAT Heat™, Platform Heat and other systems are among RTR’s in-demand products.
RTR has been awarded $7.7 million in contracts to provide contact rail heat, switch point heaters and controllers for the $6.8 billion, 23-mile Washington-Dulles Metrorail Corridor project in Northern Virginia. New Jersey Transit also contracted with RTR to replace switch heaters and controllers damaged by Hurricane Sandy, a $6 million project.
RTR’s clients include all mass transit and Class I freight agencies serving cold-weather regions, including Canadian National Railroad (CN), Burlington Northern, Amtrak, New York City Transit (NYCT), New Jersey Transit (NJT) Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Sound Transit, Southeast Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).