After years of proven LaserTrain success with the MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Metro-North Railroad teamed up with LPS to test our latest LaserTrain prototype, engineered to clear leaf buildup and improve grip for peak performance at speeds of up to 100 km/h.
Advancing Progress with Proven Technology
The pilot program launched in Fall 2022, covering critical sections of the Metro North network over a seven week period. The Retro-Fit LaserTrain model was selected, repurposing an old Comet III passenger car. During the pilot, LaserTrain safely cleaned over 12,000 miles and achieved significant milestones.
Metro North observed its lowest wheel truing needs in seven years, a 40 percent reduction in slip-slide incidents, a 97 percent On-Time Performance (OTP) and $1.6M in savings. Metro-North’s success with LaserTrain was recognized by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), which awarded them a Gold Award for Rail Safety in 2023.
This pilot season’s success enabled the MTA board to approve a LaserTrain contract for operational service use. Metro North opted for the Backup Maintenance & Support package, empowering their own staff to handle LaserTrain maintenance while LPS staff oversee remote monitoring.
This is a technology…that was pioneered by the Long Island Rail Road in 2018, and is poised to become an important part of Metro North’s efforts to combat leaf season slip slide and flat wheels.
Catherine Rinaldi, Metro-North Railroad President and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Interim President.
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