If you’re one of the 57 million Americans who ride a bike, mapping your daily commute, exploring new trails, and planning recreational rides should be easier with a new online tool from Google, which has added biking directions in the U.S. to Google Maps.

Google says the feature, announced at this week’s National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C.,  has been the most requested addition for Google Maps. The service includes step-by-step bicycling directions, bike trails outlined directly on the map and a new “bicycling” layer that indicates bike trails, bike lanes, and bike-friendly roads.

The new bicycling layer for Google Maps, accessible from a drop down menu at the top of the map, will display an overlay of the various bike-friendly roads and trails around town. Google says the layer is color-coded to show three different types of paths:

• Dark green indicates a dedicated bike-only trail;
• Light green indicates a dedicated bike lane along a road;
• Dotted green indicates roads without bike lanes but are more appropriate for biking, based on factors such as terrain, traffic, and intersections.

Google says it has partnered with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit that creates networks of trails from former rail lines, to provide information on bike trails in more than 150 cities. The company  says thousands of miles of trails in the U.S. have been added directly onto the map to help cyclists better plan their routes.

“The demand for trail maps and information has never been higher, especially as more people recognize biking as a viable, inexpensive and healthy alternative to driving,” Rails-to-Trails President Keith Laughlin said in a statement. “Sharing our trail data is an exceptional way to introduce the world to what 150,000 RTC members and supporters already know—biking is the ideal way to get where you’re going. The addition of biking directions to Google Maps makes life easier for bikers, whether they are commuting to work or biking for fun, and it can introduce our network of trails to a whole new audience of cyclists-to-be.”

Google says the biking directions feature is available on desktop versions of Google Maps. A mobile version is being planned.

The electric car is almost here. Hybrids abound. Diesel has cleaned up its act. Even conventional internal combustion engines can be tweaked to do a bit less harm to the environment.

A brighter, cleaner future is a mantra at the auto shows this year. Scratch beneath the surface, however, and a different sort of impression emerges: Change may be coming to the automobile industry, but progress is slow — even grudging — and the message can be murky.

Chevy Volt. Photo: Green Right Now

Chevy has been hyping the much-discussed Volt, for example. The manufacturer’s new electric car – due later this year – can go up to 40 miles on a single charge before a gasoline engine kicks in to keep passengers from becoming stranded.

A breakthrough? Sort of. The price? Not certain just yet, but reps allow that it will be in the $40,000 range, at least initially, making The Volt more eco-friendly, than wallet-friendly.

Nissan has been touting its new LEAF, an all-electric vehicle expected to get about 100 miles on a full charge. Intriguing, or so it would seem. Unfortunately, the LEAF was a no-show at the recent Dallas Auto Show, even though the vehicles have been touring the country as proof of their worth as “real world” transportation. A representative suggested that Nissan hoped to have the LEAF at the New York International Auto Show in early April.

Mitsubishi brought its new all-electric  iMiEV, which already is on the road in Japan. Interestingly enough, the car was not prominently displayed among the manufacturer’s offerings at the Dallas show, and featured a decidedly U.S.-unfriendly right side steering wheel. When asked about the vehicle’s range, a Mitsubishi rep had to check with a superior to answer a seemingly obvious question. (The eventual answer: About 80 miles to a full charge.)

Meanwhile, the manufacturers continue to trot out a fleet of muscle cars, big trucks and big SUVs, some of which are only marginal upgrades on the status quo. One hybrid SUV touted a whopping 21 miles per gallon on the highway. Sure, that’s better than 17, but…

Bottom line: If you’re looking for real advances in fuel efficiency and environmental consciousness, you can find them. But you’ll have to look closely, and don’t expect too much just yet

Still looking for a greener ride? Here’s are some to consider:

2011 Chevy Volt

Is 40 miles on full charge enough to get America excited? The manufacturer argues that this should be enough for the average owner to make the average commute, using government statistics that claim more than 75 percent of all commuters travel 40 miles or less. If your one-way commute is 41 miles, fear not, since that gasoline engine will pick up the slack. Still, for a round trip exceeding 40 miles, you’ll have to find a place to charge up if you are going to get home without burning any fuel. (Interestingly enough, the gasoline engine doesn’t drive the wheels; it instead powers a generator that sustains the battery charge for up to 300 more miles.) A full recharge takes about 6.5 hours at 110V, around three hours at 220V. Will buyers pony up $40,000 or more for a relatively small car with such limited range? A $7,500 tax credit on the first 250,000 sold might help.

Ford Motor Company says it will launch a “Go Green” dealership sustainability program. The automaker will collaborate with dealers to implement cost-effective ways to improve the energy-efficiency of their facilities, resulting in a long-term reduction in individual dealership’s carbon footprint as well as overall operating costs.

Ford's "Go Green" program for dealers will be voluntary. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

The “Go Green” dealership sustainability program, which is voluntary for dealers, was announced at this week’s 2010 National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in Orlando.

“In keeping with Ford’s commitment to the environment, this program is a great fit for our dealers because it provides a variety of energy-efficient improvement options regardless of the current age and design of the facility,” Sue Cischke, Ford’s group vice president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering, said in a statement. “This allows all dealers the opportunity to participate in improving the energy efficiency of their facility and gives them flexibility in making choices that are right for them and their dealership.”

The program resulted from Ford’s partnership with Rocky Mountain Institute, a non-profit organization that provides energy-efficiency solutions to businesses, communities and organizations around the world.

Ford says dealers interested in participating in the “Go Green” program will first receive a comprehensive energy assessment from its sustainability experts. After the assessment is completed, Ford and the dealer will collaborate on energy-saving options available and will tailor a program to meet the needs of the dealer. Solutions are wide-ranging and can be implemented for dealers with existing facilities as well as dealers who are constructing new facilities, the compoany said.

Participating dealers will receive guidance on available state and federal tax credits and incentives, as well as access to technical expertise and resources to assist with selection of energy-efficient products and equipment.

Ford officials said they are finalizing details to initiate a pilot program with three dealers in Florida, New York and Nevada.

Eco City Vehicles PLC (ECV), developer and distributor of eco-friendly commercial vehicles in Europe, has announced the launch of an all-electric prototype of its London-licensed Mercedes Vito taxi (Vito).

Named the Mercedes Electric eVito Taxi (eVito), the zero- emissions vehicle will be powered by a lithium ion battery that can run up to 120 miles on just one charge. Designed for inner city transportation with rear wheel steering, the vehicle will meet the Public Carriage Office requirement for a minimum turning circle of 25-feet, meaning it can maneuver in urban situations.

Developed by ECV’s manufacturing partner Penso, Mercedes Benz UK and Zytec Automotive, the eVito is also expected to pass clean air standards put in place by London’s mayor Boris Johnson.

“The range and performance of the E Vito make it perfect for inner city transport: not only does it deliver a significant reduction in CO2 emissions but also significant costs savings (a full charge costs less than £2.50) which can be passed on to users in the form of reduced fares,” said  Neil Cheeseman, program manager at Zytek Automotive.

Peter DaCosta, Eco City Vehicles Chief Executive Officer, explained further:

“The eVito is the first all-electric wheelchair accessible taxi with a 25-foot turning circle to be launched in the world and a major step towards our goal to become a leading supplier of niche eco-friendly vehicles. Subject to successful trials, the eVito together with the already popular Vito taxi, provides London with a great opportunity to reduce air pollution with modern vehicles. We have taken on board Mayor Boris Johnson’s wish for a cleaner London and I’m confident this will contribute to meeting his goal.”

The taxi prototype will undergo controlled trials later this year and is expected to be transporting passengers in time for the London Olympics in 2012.

Copyright © 2010 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media

Enterprise Holdings today announced that it will convert its entire fleet of more than 600 Alamo Rent A Car, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental airport shuttle buses  in 50 North American markets to begin using at least 5 percent biodiesel (B5). The company said it will immediately convert buses in nine markets to 20 percent biodiesel (B20) as a first step toward the company’s goal of converting its entire bus fleet to B20 over the next five years.

Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board; Dr. Richard Sayre, Director of Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels; and Lee Broughton, director of corporate identity and sustainability for Enterprise Holdings. (Photo: National Biodiesel Board)

Enterprise Holdings expects to complete the conversion to all B5 by spring of this year, with at least 50 percent converted to B20 by the end of next year. Buses in nine markets are immediately being converted to run on B20 where the fuel is centrally stored and available: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Raleigh/Durham, San Antonio and San Diego.

“This investment in biodiesel follows our commitment to our customers and our business to use our fleet to help grow the clean fuel market. By embracing alternative fuels and engine technologies, they have a greater opportunity to become commercially viable,” said Lee Broughton, director of corporate identity and sustainability for Enterprise Holdings. “Biodiesel’s benefits to the environment support our commitment to environmental stewardship, as well as our sustainable approach to managing our business for long-term success.”

In addition to embracing biodiesel and other alternative fuels as they become commercially viable, Enterprise Holdings has spent millions in support of renewable fuels research. In 2007, the company’s owners, the Taylor family, made a $25 million grant to the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis to create the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels. Led by renowned plant researcher Dr. Richard Sayre, top scientists work at the Institute to develop alternatives to finite fossil fuels by finding new ways to create fuel from renewable, reliable plant sources.

The announcement was made at the National Biodiesel Conference in Grapevine, Texas.

Photo: fra.dot.gov

In his Jan. 27 State of the Union Address, President Obama included high-speed rail, stating, “From the first railroads to the Interstate Highway System, our nation has always been built to compete. There’s no reason Europe or China should have the fastest trains or the new factories that manufacture clean-energy products.”

He followed that up with a visit to Tampa the next day, where he stated that $8 billion in grants would be going to a Tampa-Orlando-Miami route in Florida, followed by similar rail projects in California and Illinois.

This is music to the ears of longtime train advocate Anthony Perl, a fellow with the Post Carbon Institute (PCI). The San Francisco-area institute is an apolitical think tank that envisions a world of communities and economies that thrive within ecological bounds. The president’s address spurred PCI to send Obama an open letter applauding the speech but imploring him to lead the transition to a post-carbon economy by, in part, preparing for the future with cost-effective energy, such as trains. In addition to his position with PCI, Perl is the director of the Urban Studies Program at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“The Obama administration’s launch of a high-speed rail program is the most important transportation initiative that the U.S. has seen in my 47-year lifetime,” says Perl. “The program opens the door to a post-carbon mobility future in ways that tinkering with fuel efficiency, auto emissions and ‘intelligent’ vehicle and high designs can never accomplish.”

In an e-mail chat this week, Perl talked about why the President’s rail plan is so crucial.

“Rail offers the only proven surface transportation technology that can be run on renewable energy right now,” Perl says. “All other systems – hybrids, battery cars, hydrogen fuel cells etc. – are in the prototype (or earlier stages) and will not be ready in time for our society to survive oil depletion.”

Has the United States missed the window of opportunity for getting started with a major rail plan?

Anthony Perl (Photo: Post Carbon Institute)

“It is not too late for rail to take up an increasing share of travel up to 1,000 miles as we reduce our use of planes and internal combustion-engine vehicles. Electric high–speed trains and electric freight trains are proven technology.”

Will Americans change their mindset about train travel?

“Of course they will. People love trains – when they are run well.”

How would a high-speed train system be financed?

“Just like air and road transport, government will pay for the infrastructure up front (airports and highways are built and owned by government) and operations will be paid for by the users – just as we pay air and bus fares, and for the cost of operating our cars. Whether those fares will be paid to a government-owned railroad, a privately owned railroad, or some joint venture, remains to be seen. Each model could work.”

How do you think oil and car companies will react to the competition?

“They will have bigger problems to worry about. [Problems] like inventing new business models that can cope with the energy and climate challenges ahead.”

What about the price of riding the rail? A recent trip on Amtrak’s Northeast corridor was pleasant and on time, but a bit pricey.

“Travel costs are a direct result of government policy. If the new trains pay low rent for the new tracks, they will charge lower ticket prices. If they pay higher prices to rent the track from public, private or mixed partnership owners, then ticket prices will be higher. U.S. train tickets are a bargain compared to those in the United Kingdom, where train-operating companies make good profits.”

Texas was supposed to get a high-speed rail system, but the plan seems to have “de-railed,” so to speak. Any updates?

“Texas tried to go for a fully private passenger train franchise (Texas TGV) in the 1990s. It collapsed and this has left a policy vacuum that other states like California and North Carolina were more advanced in filling.”

Perl suggests that the U.S. should partner with Europe and Asia on high-speed rail projects.

“Now is the time to recognize that the United States has a lot to learn from others when it comes to building modern passenger trains,” he says. “We face a steep learning curve in building modern electric railroad infrastructure and equipment after decades of neglect and disinvestment.

“We should partner with Asia and Europe to share their know-how, rather than reinventing the wheel at greater expense and with more mistakes… if we opt to ‘go it alone.’ If we can overcome the hubris of having only a ‘made-in-the-USA’ high-speed train, we will get where we need to be a lot faster, and generate more jobs and economic development as a result.”

Perl also believes that rail travel should be linked to the developing electric smart grid.

“All of these fast trains will be powered by electricity, an open-ended energy carrier that can blend renewable energy sources with a decreasing carbon content.

“Most of the major corridors in the U.S. will need to be electrified in the next 25 years. Meaning now would be the ideal time to connect the high-speed rail plan with the emerging ‘smart grid.’ New transmission lines could be run atop the tracks, with a periodic step-down of their current to power freight and passenger trains without using a drop of oil.”

Copyright © 2010 | Distributed by Noofangle Media

(Photo: Audi)

By Harriet Blake
Green Right Now

Audi’s 2010 Green Police commercial during Super Bowl was ingenious and hilarious.

You didn’t have to be an environmentalist to enjoy the plug for Audi’s A3 TDI clean diesel car. In fact, the commercial pokes fun at the extreme measures an environmentally conscious police force might take:

Arresting a customer for choosing plastic over paper at the grocery store; storming a home after finding a battery in the trash collection; arresting a man for possession of an incandescent bulb; swarming a homeowner for a compost infraction; chasing a speedo-clad hot tub user for setting the water temperature too high; stopping a driver for using a styrofoam cup – extreme tactics, no doubt, but too funny.

Of course, the guy with the clean diesel Audi is stopped and allowed to proceed, hassle-free. The commercial’s “Green Police” anthem is a re-recording of Cheap Trick’s “Dream Police.”

If you missed it, check it out here.

Copyright © 2010 | Distributed by Noofangle Media

GM announced today that its new lineup of heavy-duty diesel pickups will run on B20 biodiesel, which is a blend of 20-percent biodiesel and 80-percent conventional diesel that produces lower carbon dioxide emissions.

The announcement was made at the National Biodiesel Conference in Grapevine, Texas.

GM said its new Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel engine has been substantially revised to include B20 capability, as well as meet strict new emissions standards effective this year. The Duramax will power the redesigned 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups, as well as the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans. Chevrolet plans to unveil the 2011 Silverado heavy-duty trucks at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 10.

“B20 capability in our new heavy-duty trucks is the latest addition to a growing number of alternate fuel options offered by General Motors,” Mike Robinson, GM’s vice president of Environment, Energy and Safety Policy, said in a statement. “We are seeking different paths to fuel solutions in order to maximize efficiency, reduce emissions and minimize the dependence on petroleum.”

GM says it has with more than 4 million FlexFuel vehicles on the road today capable of running on E85 ethanol. Like ethanol, biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel made primarily of plant matter – mostly soybean oil.

Estimates by National Biodiesel Board indicate about 700 million gallons of the fuel were produced in 2008 – up from about 500,000 gallons in 1999. Market fluctuations caused production to decrease in 2009, but it is expected to rise with more mandates and the availability of approved vehicles, such as the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty trucks.

To make the Duramax 6.6L and its fuel system compatible with B20, GM said it upgraded some seals and gasket materials to withstand the ester content of biodiesel and included an upgraded fuel filter that includes a coalescing element. It improves the separation of water that may be present in the fuel, because biodiesel can attract and absorb water. Also, additional heating of the fuel circuit was added to reduce the chance of fuel gelling or waxing that could plug filters.

The Duramax 6.6L’s diesel particulate regeneration system features a downstream injector that supplies fuel for the regeneration process. This greatly reduces potential oil dilution, important with using biodiesel. Downstream injection saves fuel and works better with B20 than in-cylinder post injection.

Could Nissan’s marketers have planned this any better?

Just as the carmaker is in the midst of a national tour of the LEAF, its much ballyhooed new electric plug-in, competitor Toyota finds itself in a tailspin over mysterious sudden acceleration events that now affect even its energy-efficient darling, the 2010 model Prius, according to several news reports. (Here’s one from the Christian Science Monitor; ABC News also reports Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has experience trouble with his Prius.)

The Prius, the nation’s best-selling and highest mileage hybrid car, looked to have a  fruitful  future — until lately, when its reputation was sideswiped, along with other Toyota brands, in a safety scandal that grows larger with every news cycle.

Car reviewers have noted that the Prius, even on a scandal-free day, has plenty of competition emerging from hybrids like the Ford Fusion and the Honda Insight.

The new kids on the block might now have a wedge to muscle in. The LEAF is not a hybrid, but part of the new generation of all-electric, plug-in vehicles (EVs) that will go head-to-head with hybrids already on the road. Their appeal: Zero carbon tailpipe emissions and increasingly better range.

Due in showrooms this coming fall/winter, the LEAF is riding the leading edge of this new technology. It will offer a clean carbon footprint (especially if it’s charged on electricity provided by renewable energy sources) and have a range of 100 miles, a big deal in this new world.

The LEAF and GM’s new plug-in offering, the Volt, can expect competition from leading hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic and Insight, and the Ford Escape and Fusion, among others. These hybrids are road tested, energy efficient and don’t lack for places to refuel.

But of all the hybrids you can even think of, the Prius is king. It is the top-selling hybrid, around the world, and last year it was the top selling car in Japan, bar none.

At this point, how Toyota’s problems will play out and affect the Prius is just conjecture. Car chatter has centered on how to deal with the immediate problem, if the Prius suffers from the same sticky acceleration issues of its cousins. Earlier models of the Prius are being recalled. News about the 2010 model, just out this winter, is still too fresh.

But if the Prius takes a long pit stop, that’s one less hybrid option at the top of consumers’ lists. Such a shift in the landscape could fuel more interest in the coming EVs, now less than a year away from appearing in showrooms.

If Toyota’s problems prove scarier than the worries related to electric vehicles — Where do I plug in? Will the battery wear out? — the race gets even more intense.

And Nissan is heavily involved in addressing concerns upfront. It is making sure charging stations are available in many major metro markets — working with charging station provider Ecotality in several test areas, and with a U.S. maker of home charging stations.

The LEAF’s U.S. debut tour winds up in New York next week, after a stop in Houston this coming weekend, according to a map of the stops posted by Nissan. But the car will likely make other appearances before going on sale in late 2010.

To see the list of Toyota, Lexus and Pontiac vehicles being recalled for gas pedal “entrapment” issues, see the U.S. Department of Transportation website. The models are:

• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2004-2009 Prius
• 2005-2010 Tacoma
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2007-2010 ES 350
• 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350
• 2008-2010 Highlander
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Venza
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe

Toyota, Lexus and Pontiac vehicles affected by the related, but slightly different, “sticky pedal recall” are:

• 2007-2008 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2009-2010 RAV4
• 2010 Highlander
• 2009-2010 Vibe

The DOT has advice for drivers experiencing a problem with their Toyota’s gas pedal, a serious issue that has resulted in critical injuries, even deaths.

• Brake firmly and steadily – do not pump the brake pedal
• Shift the transmission into Neutral (for vehicles with automatic transmissions and the sport option, familiarize yourself with where Neutral is – the diagram may be misleading)
• Steer to a safe location
• Shut the engine off (for vehicles with keyless ignition, familiarize yourself with how to turn the vehicle off when it is moving – this may be a different action than turning the vehicle off when it is stationary).
• Call your dealer or repair shop to pick up the vehicle.  Do not drive it.

California has ambitious rail plans.

California is No. 1 with a bullet … train that is.

When the federal government recently awarded $8 billion for the development of high speed railway projects, the Golden State took the big prize — $2.3 billion. California High-Speed Rail Authority chairman Curt Pringle called the award “fantastic news for California and for our state’s high-speed rail project.”

“It is an award that will lead to the creation of tens of thousands of quality jobs in the near-term and to continued economic strength and enhance our transportation network in the longterm,” Pringle said in a statement.

California, he noted, is closer than any other state or region to building the first true high-speed rail system in the United States.” The federal money recognizes California’s work in partnering with local governments and state legislators and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to put the plan into action, he said.

Here’s a look at the states that were winners, the amount of funding, and a brief description of the projects being funded:

California ($2.344 billion) — Work will include purchasing right-of-way, constructing track, signaling systems, and stations, and completing environmental reviews and engineering documents; other work that ultimately will allow for top speeds of 110 mph from Los Angeles to San Diego; four new station tracks at San Jose Diridon Station to almost double capacity and a universal crossover between Davis and Sacramento, which will reduce trip times and improve on-time performance; fund upgrades of the trains’ emissions control equipment, which will reduce pollution.

Illinois|Missouri ($1.133 billion) — Improvements that allow passenger rail service from Chicago to St. Louis at speeds up to 110 mph – a plan advocated by the Midwest High Speed Rail Association; overhaul of track, signal systems, and existing stations; implementation of positive train control technology; planning studies for additional service enhancements; expansion of existing railroad bridges and universal crossovers, as well as improved grade crossings.

Florida ($1.250 billion) — Construct 84 miles of track, build and enhance stations, and purchase equipment to serve the Tampa-Orlando corridor.

Minnesota|Wisconsin|Illinois ($823 million) — A planning study for extension of high-speed rail service to the Twin Cities; new and refurbished stations; implementation of positive train control technology along 80 miles of track; infrastructure enhancements, and signal and track improvements to enhance time performance and reliability.

North Carolina|Virginia|Washington D.C. ($620 million) — Nearly 30 interrelated projects will increase top train speeds to 90 mph and double the number of round trips along this corridor; purchase and rehabilitation of locomotives and cars, track upgrades, and station security improvements; add a third track from Arkendale to Powell’s Creek; cut congestion.

Washington|Oregon ($568 million) — Building bypass tracks to allow for increased train frequency and multiple upgrades to existing track and signal systems; safety-related projects; upgrading Portland’s Union Station; engineering and environmental work for track and signaling projects that will increase service reliability and reduce congestion.

Ohio ($400 million) — Track upgrades, grade crossings, new stations, and maintenance facilities.

Michigan|Illinois ($200 million) — Renovate stations in Troy and Battle Creek, MI; construct new station in downtown Dearborn; other station renovations, a new station, a flyover, approach bridges, and embankment and retaining walls; crossovers and signal system improvements to cut travel times improve on-time performance.

New York|Montreal ($151 million) — Construction of new track, signaling and interlocking improvements, upgrades to warning devices at grade crossings, and enhancements to stations in Rochester and Buffalo; three miles of new track to relieve congestion and improve on-time performance.

Massachusetts|New York|Washington, D.C. ($112 million) — Completion of engineering and environmental work for a new tunnel in Baltimore and a new station at BWI Airport. Projects also will span Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Maine ($35 million) — Restore more than 30 miles of track, including 36 grade crossings, to extend new passenger rail service from Portland to Brunswick, ME.

Pennsylvania ($27 million) — Eliminate three remaining grade crossings on the corridor to improve the 110 mph service; study an extension of the service to Pittsburgh.

Connecticut|Massachusetts|Vermont ($160 million) — Implement track, passenger stations and signal upgrades to relocate the Amtrak Vermonter service to a more direct route; Vermonter New England Central Railroad route improvements; construct new segment of second main track to increase reliability and improve service quality, and reduce trip times.

Iowa ($17 million) — Install four remotely controlled powered crossovers on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Ottumwa subdivision, which will reduce travel times and improve on-time performance.

Texas ($4 million) — Implement the final design and construction of signal timing improvements at grade crossings between Austin and Fort Worth to increase the operating speed of Amtrak’s Texas Eagle and improve on-time performance.