How Does NJ Transit Prepare For Winter Weather? [PHOTOS]

It takes more than a few bags of salt to keep the 3rd largest transit system in the U.S. going through the winter. Actually, it’s more like 20,000 pounds of it.

Officials at NJ Transit recently released the agency’s 2016-17 winter preventative plan, including information about how its workers plan to combat icy and snowy conditions this year.

“Snow fighting supplies and equipment across the state are stocked and ready to be deployed as conditions warrant,” NJ Transit officials wrote earlier this month. [The agency] is busy inspecting and winterizing its infrastructure, equipment and stations to be in the best possible position to handle winter’s potential fury.”

“We can’t predict what kind of winter season we will have, but I can say with confidence that NJ Transit will be as ready as we can be” said Executive Director Steven Santoro.

Here are some ways that the agency plans to prepare this winter.

RAIL OPERATIONS

• Hundreds of rail cars and locomotives have been "winterized," a process that includes checking onboard heating systems, ventilation, thermostats, weather stripping and electronic components, as well as changing locomotive filters and fuel from a summer blend to a winter blend.
• NJ Transit’s preventative maintenance program also includes the inspection and winter maintenance of more than 750 switches and switch heaters, overhead wire systems, 12 moveable bridges and wayside power at storage yards and terminals.
• Two jet-engine-powered snow blowers are available to remove ice and snow from tracks and critical switching areas. In addition, all locomotives are equipped with snowplows to clear snow from the rails.
• NJ Transit Rail Operations has 20,000 pounds of salt on hand with the ability to obtain an additional 100,000 pounds, if needed.
• In addition, the agency’s year-round tree trimming program proactively minimizes downed trees or limbs along the right-of-way and on our overhead electrical system, personnel are on standby to quickly respond to reports of trees or limbs that could damage overhead wires or prevent safe passage of trains.

BUS OPERATIONS

• Bus maintenance personnel have checked the heating systems, engine fluids, tires, windshield wipers, doors and airbrake systems on NJ TRANSIT's 2,200 buses.
• Bus snow-fighting equipment has been readied and ice/snow-inhibiting supplies have been restocked for winter to keep 52 bus loops, terminals and lots cleared throughout the state.
• NJ Transit Bus Operations has 900 tons of bulk salt on standby statewide, with each of its 16 garages stocked with bag salt.
• Vendor contracts have been finalized to perform plowing of larger park/ride facilities.

LIGHT RAIL OPERATIONS

• Snowplows are ready to clear station platforms and park/ride lots.
• All switch heaters have been tested.

STATIONS AND TERMINALS

• All rail stations equipped with heaters have been inspected to ensure that they are in proper working order.
• All public address systems at rail stations and bus terminals have been inspected.

Photos: NJ Transit

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