Metrom Rail News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: METROM RAIL, LLC FILES PATENT INFRINGEMENT SUIT AGAINST SIEMENS MOBILITY, INC., THALES TRANSPORT & SECURITY, INC., THALES USA, INC., HUMATICS CORP., AND PIPER NETWORKS, INC.

LAKEMOOR, IL – January 18, 2022 – Metrom Rail, the worldwide leader in ultrawide-band (UWB)-based train control, signaling, and safety technology has filed a lawsuit against Siemens Mobility, Inc., Thales Transport & Security, Inc., Thales USA., Inc., Humatics Corp., and Piper Networks, Inc. The suit was filed in Delaware federal court and asserts five patents, claims for tortious interference with prospective economic advantage, and conspiracy to infringe Metrom’s patents.

The complaint alleges that the defendants infringe on the following U.S. patents: 10,778,363, 8,812,227, 9,043,131, 10,737,709, and 10,179,595. The complaint centers upon contracts and deployments of UWB technology within the MTA New York City Transit system and the defendants offering for sale Metrom’s ultrawide-band (UWB) technology in the U.S. market. The patents in question are directed to Metrom’s UWB solutions for train control, collision avoidance, and worker safety.

Metrom has been an innovator in rail safety since 2010, and its patented solutions have been deployed on thousands of railway maintenance-of-way vehicles across the country with an outstanding record of reducing collisions. As the first company to provide UWB technologies to the rail industry, Metrom Rail redefined safety and train-control capabilities within the freight and transit rail sectors. Its UWB solutions deliver the most precise collision avoidance, worker protection, and train-control systems available today. In addition, Metrom Rail UWB technology significantly reduces installation time and cost compared to traditional approaches, and it is capable of fully integrating with legacy systems to further streamline modernization efforts.

In 2017, the New York MTA sought technologies to provide functional efficiencies as part of its signal modernization and CBTC implementation plan. Metrom Rail answered the call, introducing the concept of utilizing patent-protected UWB technology as an alternative approach for the agency. In addition to multiple successful pilot programs, Metrom Rail won the MTA Genius Challenge for Signaling in 2018. However, in 2019 when the MTA solicited bids for the next phase of UWB integration, the defendants were chosen by the agency.

“Patents incent Metrom and other companies to develop the new, valuable products that in our case save lives and corporate and taxpayer money,” said Jim Marchi, CEO of Metrom Rail LLC. “We cannot allow others to unlawfully take credit for our teams’ innovation and technology. We have turned to the courts for vindication of our patent rights, and a win for Metrom will be a win for the taxpayers of New York and the United States, who deserve to have their infrastructure-directed tax dollars spent on next-generation technology that benefits their city in a way that doesn’t unfairly harm U.S.-based innovators.”

About Metrom Rail

Metrom is headquartered in Lakemoor, Illinois and has been developing and selling UWB-based safety systems to the railroad industry since 2010. The company has a portfolio of 8 issued U.S. patents, with additional patents pending.

Direct Inquiries to:     

                                                                                                                                                                Download a copy of the complaint HERE                                                                                                 Download a copy of this press release HERE 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Metrom Rail Wins MTA Genius Transit Challenge

Metropolitan Transportation Authority selects Metrom Rail from group of 19 finalists

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL. — March 9, 2018 — New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority named rail technology supplier MetromRail a winner of the Genius Transit Challenge on Friday. The MTA created the Challenge in 2017 to identify innovative solutions to modernize and improve New York City’s subway service. Metrom Rail’s submission was one of 438 from 23 countries.

“We’re gratified that the MTA recognized Metrom Rail’s vision for the future of transit,” said Rick Carlson Jr., director of corporate strategy for Metrom Rail. “We are pursuing a radical departure from traditional train control systems by providing a cost-effective solution that helps transit agencies minimize delays and accommodate more riders. We are excited to propel the use of ultra-wide band technology in the transit industry and look forward to working with the MTA – and other agencies worldwide – to dramatically improve transit operations."

Metrom Rail’s Genius Challenge submission, PTCS-2, provides an increase in train operating efficiency and safety with significant reductions in cost and deployment time compared to legacy train control systems. Through a combination of ultra-wide band communication technology and train-borne intelligence, the system generates precise ranging and location data to optimize train speed and spacing.

“When Governor Cuomo announced his Genius Challenge last summer, I’m not sure any of us really knew what the reaction would be. The Governor’s idea was to accelerate changes to subway signal systems by tapping into the most creative minds and the latest technologies. The bet paid off, and now the MTA can move forward much faster than the previous 40-plus year timetable to give New York subway riders a modern, high-capacity signal system,” said Janno Lieber, MTA Chief Development Officer.

1/10/2017 - Metrom Rail Discussion on the Future of Passenger Transit-Focused PTC 

As originally published in Mass Transit Magazine, 1/9/2017

In September in Hoboken, New Jersey, an NJ Transit train traveling twice the posted speed limit crashed into a bumping post. One person died, and more than 100 were injured. In Chicago in 2014, an L train plowed through the barrier at O’Hare International Airport and up an escalator. The crash injured 30 people and caused about $9 million in damage. And in 2009 in Washington D.C., a Red Line train slammed into a train stopped in front of it, killing nine and injuring 80.

While many transit agencies have never experienced headline-grabbing accidents such as these, they feel pressure to quickly make safety improvements in the aftermath of any incident. And the resounding advice from the public, media and government agencies is often to implement positive train control (PTC).

Congress mandated Class I freight railroads as well as intercity and commuter passenger rail lines to implement positive train control by the end of 2015. The process of implementing PTC has been slow, and, as a result, Congress extended the deadline to the end of 2018. Despite the delay, transit agency leaders know quick action on safety is needed.

Designed to prevent train collisions and derailments, PTC can be an effective tool for improving passenger and roadway worker safety. But many traditional industry options for PTC deployment are not well suited for transit lines. Most legacy PTC solutions require large infrastructure overhauls, complex back-office operations and significant upfront investments. They also can put constraints on passenger throughput and are usually hemmed in by the limits of radio frequency technology, which can be ineffective in crowded metropolitan and underground environments.

So, if a transit agency opted to implement one of the traditional PTC solutions on the market, safety improvement efforts could be costly, delayed for years and potentially even ineffective. This vexing quandary inevitably leads to a never-ending cycle of deferred safety improvements and prolonged angst for transit agency leaders.

A pressing need for safety improvements

Current safety systems in transit are generally outdated and insufficient. For example, many lines rely on automatic braking systems. These are often reactive and don’t preemptively prevent incidents. So, the train eventually stops, but it may be halfway up the escalator by the time it does. Compounding the safety challenge, transit agencies face persistent budget constraints and increasing passenger loads.

Since traditional PTC systems were not originally designed for these passenger rail systems, transit agencies also find themselves weighing options that don’t suit their needs or add unnecessary cost and complexity to the process.

The good news is that PTC solutions tailored to transit needs are beginning to emerge. For example, modern cost-effective solutions that overlay existing infrastructure can improve train control and collision avoidance with minimal installation time. With built-in features such as roadway worker protection capabilities, these systems also minimize the complexity that comes with having to layer on myriad solutions from different suppliers. Further, by leveraging advanced ranging technology, these solutions can operate more successfully underground.

Focus on core safety priorities

There are many combinations of solutions and suppliers that can create an appropriate and effective PTC system for a transit agency. To start the process of choosing the right technology, transit agencies need a comprehensive understanding of their system and needs, including geographic requirements, ridership trends, system capacity, and future plans for expansion. Based on this, they can create a prioritized list of operational requirements for any safety solution.

For example, does the agency anticipate a large increase in riders over the next 10 years? If so, an overlay solution that improves safety and facilitates greater throughput capacity and flexibility should be at the top of the list. Or, does most of an agency’s track run underground? If that’s the case, it should opt for a solution that incorporates advanced ranging technology over something like a communications-based train control system, which typically relies on radio frequencies that can be susceptible to interference.

Once an agency has a baseline understanding of its requirements and priorities, it must thoroughly vet and test solutions, and scrutinize performance claims. Agencies should weigh the various features of different solutions and see where they align with the agency’s defined operational needs.

Further, it’s important that agencies ensure suppliers can cater to their needs. In some cases, agencies end up having to adapt their operation to the new safety system in significant ways. This can have an adverse impact on current processes and throughput.

Overall, it’s time for transit to broaden its horizons when it comes to safety and understand that the safety technology landscape does not begin and end with the traditional slate of PTC solutions. Technology is rapidly evolving and powering new PTC solutions for transit agencies. If transit leaders take a hard look at their core requirements and see how they match up with the wide range of advanced solutions emerging on the scene, they can open themselves up to a world of new options that enable real safety improvements and enhanced operations.

Rick Carlson Jr. is the director of corporate strategy for Metrom Rail, a developer and integrator of rail safety technology.

12/9/2016 - Metrom Rail AURA Positive Train Control System Featured in Progressive Railroading

The Metrom Rail AURA Positive Train Control System is a cost-effective, cutting-edge solution for transit agencies concerned with the effectiveness and efficiency of industry alternatives.  Read more about the system in a recent feature in Progressive Railroading: http://bit.ly/2hGuJU4

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 2, 2016

New PTC solution offers an alternative approach to transit safety

—    Metrom Rail’s advanced technology addresses key train control, collision avoidance and worker protection needs —

For more, visit: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-ptc-solution-offers-an-alternative-approach-to-transit-safety-300355446.html

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