“Though the LIRR and LPS have only the one laser train in operation, the railroad now considers it to be the most effective weapon in its arsenal against seasonal delays. Furthermore, it calls lasers “a game-changer for the Long Island Rail Road, and a game-changer for the industry.”

“We have already seen this past month, with several days of misty mornings, nearly zero slip-slide events and estimate that we prevented 60 to 100 cars being taken out of service. We know we cannot control Mother Nature but we can take steps to better prepare and mitigate the impacts. Having these laser trains in our toolbox is a gamechanger.”

“Our investment in the laser train technology is already paying off for our customers who have encountered fewer delays and are seeing more train cars in service, allowing them to practice social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“These trains have proved so efficient, we added a second laser train last year and increased its speed, allowing us to cover more territory more quickly. The initiative has yielded major year-over-year improvements in service while ultimately paying for itself through reduced labor and material costs.”

“An aggressive leaf fighting strategy has reduced “slip-sliding” where emergency braking creates flat spots on train wheels, forcing the LIRR to take much-needed equipment out of service for repairs.”‍