NJ TRANSIT AND HOMELAND SECURITY ANNOUNCE COMMUNICATIONS UPGRADE ON NEWARK LIGHT RAIL
Interoperable Communication System installed in tunnel environment
February 2, 2009
NJT-09-006
NEWARK, NJ ¿ New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Director Richard L. Cañas joined NJ TRANSIT Police officials and representatives from Newark-area emergency response agencies to announce the completion of a communication system upgrade recently installed on Newark Light Rail that enables dozens of responding agencies to communicate via a common radio channel.
"Enhancing interoperable communications among and between first responders in this part of New Jersey because of its heavy reliance on the mass transportation network, like the Newark Light Rail, is a key component of our state¿s homeland security strategy," said Cañas. "We will continue to invest federal and state funds to ensure that emergency personnel are able to communicate in real-time during any type of emergency."
"Effective communication is the backbone of our emergency response during any type of incident, and supporting interoperable communications on the Newark Light Rail represents a significant upgrade in our communication system," said Assemblyman Frederick Scalera, who serves as Chairman of the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee. "Executive Director Richard Sarles, Chief of Police Joseph Bober and Director Richard Cañas demonstrated swift leadership in analyzing the need for this system upgrade and making it a reality."
"I commend the NJ TRANSIT Police Department for identifying the need for an interoperable communication system in the Newark Light Rail, and I thank Director Cañas for authorizing the funding that enabled us to address that need," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles. "Communication between NJ TRANSIT Police and other responding agencies is vital during emergency situations."
"Thanks to the funding provided by the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, we were able to close a critical communications gap on the Newark Light Rail system," said NJ TRANSIT Chief of Police Joseph C. Bober. "We worked closely with local agencies¿including Newark Police and Fire, the Essex County Sheriff¿s Office and UMDNJ¿to enhance communication capabilities in the light rail tunnel environment."
The Interoperable Communication System enables dozens of responding agencies¿including fire, police and EMS¿to communicate with each other via a common radio channel, accessible from each department¿s own radio equipment. The system includes 31 operational and response agencies.
With $2 million in funding provided by the NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, NJ TRANSIT upgraded the communication system in the Newark Light Rail tunnel to support interoperable communications. As a result of the upgrade, personnel responding to an emergency on the light rail system will be able to coordinate their response and share critical information.
The need for the upgrade was identified during a functional exercise on the Newark Light Rail system that revealed a gap in communication among responding agencies.
The Newark Light Rail interoperable communication system was activated on December 18, 2008.
About Newark Light Rail
Newark Light Rail provides nearly 20,000 average weekday trips between 17 stations in Newark, Belleville and Bloomfield, including four tunnel stations. The system provides a vital link between employment, educational and cultural destinations in downtown Newark and the city¿s northern suburbs, as well as NJ TRANSIT rail and bus routes.
In July 2006, NJ TRANSIT opened a one-mile extension of Newark Light Rail between Newark Penn and Broad Street stations, serving destinations that include the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium, The Newark Museum and the Broad Street commercial corridor.
For Newark Light Rail schedules or information, visit www.njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 164 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.