Metrolink’s Rail Innovations: Safety & Tech in Southern California

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Introduction

Metrolink, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, is a triple-category winner in the 2025 Railway Technology Excellence Awards, recognized for its innovation, marketing, and safety initiatives. The awards acknowledge the company’s efforts to address operational challenges, attract new riders, and enhance passenger safety across its network, which includes 545.6 service miles and 67 stations.

Awards and Recognition

Metrolink won the Innovation award in the Smart Mobility category for implementing advanced technology to improve rail crossing efficiency and safety. The company received the Marketing award for its successful efforts to attract and engage new riders through targeted outreach programs. Metrolink earned the Safety award in the Earthquake Warning Systems category for deploying cutting-edge systems enhancing passenger protection during seismic events.

Wireless Crossing Nearside Station Stop (WCNSS) System

For over a decade, residents and motorists in San Juan Capistrano experienced repeated delays at the Del Obispo Street crossing due to the “ghost train” phenomenon. Metrolink addressed this by implementing the Wireless Crossing Nearside Station Stop (WCNSS) system, leveraging Positive Train Control (PTC) technology to reduce redundant crossing gate activations. The WCNSS technology was originally developed and deployed as part of the Redlands Passenger Rail Project (RPRP), extending the San Bernardino Line nine miles and deploying WCNSS at seven crossings in October 2022. It was incorporated at an active system crossing for the first time in June 2024 at Del Obispo Street, initially operational only for Metrolink trains. Recognizing the importance of a comprehensive solution, Metrolink collaborated with Amtrak and system vendors to expand compatibility to Amtrak’s captive fleet dedicated to the Pacific Surfliner service, which also stops at the San Juan Capistrano Station.

Student Adventure Pass (SAP) Program

To better engage young riders and build the next generation of public transportation customers, Metrolink launched the Student Adventure Pass (SAP) program in October 2023. This offered free rides to students with valid identification, directly addressing the challenge of rebuilding ridership after the COVID-19 pandemic. The program had a substantial impact, with over 3.5 million uses recorded and a 131% increase in monthly student ridership between September 2023 and the program’s conclusion in June 2025, peaking at approximately 180% during the spring 2025 semester. The program’s success was rooted in a data-driven and community-focused marketing strategy. Partnerships with more than 50 colleges and universities, on-the-ground street teams, and robust feedback mechanisms were key to the program’s success. Promotional events and collaborations with local schools further amplified awareness and participation. Survey data indicates that nearly two-thirds of new student users have become repeat customers, and 76% of student riders described the SAP as “essential” to their mobility.

Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) System

Metrolink integrated real-time seismic data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) ShakeAlert platform with its Positive Train Control (PTC) system, resulting in the deployment of a ShakeAlert-powered Early Earthquake Warning (EEW) system. The EEW system interfaces with USGS ShakeAlert technology, communicating with Metrolink’s PTC infrastructure to issue speed directives to impacted trains. The effectiveness of the EEW system has been demonstrated in simulated and real-world scenarios. During the annual Great California ShakeOut drills, Metrolink successfully tested the system’s ability to automatically slow trains. The system’s capabilities were validated in April 2025 when a 5.2 magnitude earthquake near Julian, California, triggered automated braking on several Metrolink trains. This was the first real-world enforcement of automated PTC braking, resulting in a full stop due to an earthquake. With full deployment across all Metrolink-owned tracks, Metrolink is the first rail agency in the United States to integrate automated seismic response with PTC.

Conclusion

Metrolink, a regional passenger rail provider, was recognized with three awards in the 2025 Railway Technology Excellence Awards for its innovation, marketing, and safety initiatives. The company has implemented technologies to improve crossing safety, launched a student ridership program, and integrated an earthquake early warning system to enhance passenger protection. These initiatives are part of Metrolink’s efforts to provide safe, reliable, and affordable transportation across six counties and seven lines, spanning 545.6 service miles and 67 stations.

Company Summary

Metrolink: Southern California’s regional passenger rail provider, delivering transportation across six counties and seven lines, spanning 545.6 service miles and 67 stations. Metrolink also operates the Arrow service, a nine-mile rail extension between San Bernardino and Redlands.

Amtrak: A passenger railroad service.

United States Geological Survey (USGS): Provides real-time seismic data.

Technology

Positive Train Control (PTC): Technology used to reduce redundant crossing gate activations and for the integration of real-time seismic data.
Wireless Crossing Nearside Station Stop (WCNSS): A system developed to reduce redundant crossing gate activations.
Redlands Passenger Rail Project (RPRP): Project that extended the San Bernardino Line and deployed WCNSS.
ShakeAlert: Platform used for real-time seismic data.
Early Earthquake Warning (EEW): System that interfaces with USGS ShakeAlert technology.

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