Q&A: Senior Rail Engineer Dave Bearse provides updates on the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety (Section 130)��Program.

This week, Dave Bearse, along with LN Manchi and Fahreen Muhammad, will be in Atlanta, Georgia, participating in the , alongside transportation leaders committed to advancing safer rail systems nationwide. As a longtime rail safety partner to GDOT, Atlas brings nearly two decades of experience supporting GDOT’s Section 130 Program — providing technical leadership, strategic planning and collaborative coordination to identify risks and implement proven safety improvements at highway-rail grade crossings across the state. Through this work, Atlas continues to help strengthen Georgia’s rail network while protecting the communities it serves.

Q: What’s your role in the Section 130 Program?

I serve as the technical lead for the Atlas work within the Section 130 Program. My focus is on coordinating and overseeing the technical aspects of railroad safety improvements, working closely with GDOT, CSX Transportation (CSXT), cities, counties and other stakeholders.

Q: Could you provide some background on the Section 130 Program and its origins from your perspective?

The program originated in response to growing highway safety concerns in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when a high number of fatalities at highway-rail grade crossings promoted the federal government to invest highway safety funds in proven countermeasures such as flashing lights and gates. These improvements significantly reduced crashes and laid the foundation for today’s program, which now encompasses a broader range of safety and hazard elimination strategies — including passive warning devices, crossing eliminations, signing and pavement markings, crossing geometric improvements and incentives and construction support to facilitate crossing closures.

Q: Could you elaborate on how your team determines what crossings need improvement?

We work closely with GDOT and railroad consultants to identify crossings that need improvement. Our goal is to maximize safety benefits within the allocated funds. This involves recommending various improvements, such as flashing lights and gates, geometric improvements or suggesting the closure of certain crossings to reduce crash risks.

Q: Can you share some notable achievements or successes of the railroad safety program?

Over the years, the program has significantly reduced fatalities and crashes at railroad grade crossings. Notable achievements include the successful installation of safety features, as well as signing and marking projects to enhance awareness and visibility. Atlas prepared the Georgia Safety Action Plan and an update that were well-received by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Q: Can you explain the technology behind railroad crossings and how it has evolved over the years, particularly in terms of safety and monitoring?

The technology at railroad crossings has evolved significantly from electromechanical relays in the early days. By the 1980s, these were replaced with computer systems. Nowadays, new installations come with a recording system, essentially a black box, that logs every event at the crossing. Railroads can remotely monitor and analyze this data to support more efficient and safer operations.

Q: How do you determine which railroad crossings need improvements or upgrades? Are there specific criteria or factors that play a role in prioritizing these enhancements?

Prioritizing improvements involves a comprehensive evaluation. Factors include the number of trains and vehicles, the type of warning devices in place, school bus and passenger train usage and crash history. This data feeds into a prioritization system, but it’s not solely based on numerical values. There are subjective elements, like sight distance, proximity to intersections and the crest at the crossing, that contribute to the decision-making process.

Q: Could you share insights into the collaboration with CSX Transportation and how they contribute to the Section 130 Program?

CSX Transportation (CSXT) is a key partner, sharing data that aids in maintaining and updating records for GDOT. The collaboration extends to implementing safety improvements, with CSXT agreeing to maintain the signals installed by GDOT in perpetuity. This partnership highlights the shared commitment to enhancing safety at railroad crossings.

Q: How has the landscape of railroad safety changed over the years? What trends or challenges do you foresee in the future?

Railroad safety has seen significant improvements, particularly with the widespread adoption of flashing lights and gate signals. However, challenges persist, such as the need for ongoing maintenance and replacement of aging infrastructure. Looking ahead, the focus will likely shift from installing new devices to maintaining and improving existing ones so they remain effective and safe.

Q: What role does data play in your decision-making process? How has it evolved in the last decade?

Data is integral to our decision-making process. With advancements in technology, there’s now an abundance of data available, including crash records, train and vehicle counts and warning device types. This data helps us identify high-priority crossings and allocate resources effectively. The transition in recent years involves recognizing the importance of maintaining and improving existing infrastructure rather than solely focusing on installing new safety devices.

Q: Are there any specific initiatives or innovations in the railroad safety sector that you find particularly promising or impactful?

The continuous improvement in technology, such as remote monitoring and recording systems, holds promise for enhancing railroad safety. Additionally, the industry’s recognition of the need to transition from installing new devices to maintaining and improving existing ones is a positive shift. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect further innovations that contribute to the overall safety and efficiency of railroad crossings.

Q&A with Alex Peck, Atlas National Director of Industrial Hygiene & Building Science��

What is��Legionella,��and why is it dangerous?

In 1976,��one of the top��news��stories was the��mysterious pneumonia��outbreak at the landmark Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.����

Approximately 4,000 representatives from the state��American Legion met��for a bicentennial convention��at the hotel��that��July.��The meeting went off without any issues, but several days��following the event,��hundreds of��attendees��began coming down with pneumonia-like symptoms.��By August,��approximately��30 people had��died��from complications. Following the outbreak, a research microbiologist from��the Center for��Disease��Control and Prevention (CDC) determined the cause to be a��new��bacterium, known today as��Legionella��pneumophilia, which is commonly��found in water pipes and air conditioning units.����

This first outbreak��identified��a��public health��threat��for��large facilities like hotels��and hospitals, where water��moves slowly through a complex web of pipes, valves and other plumbing fixtures, and the threat is still very��real today.��Yearly outbreaks of��Legionnaire’s disease��and Pontiac fever��(a milder case of��legionellosis)��occur,��including recent cases��in��California,��New York��and Florida.����

While the threat is real��and likely increasing��due to a combination of increased surveillance, aging populations, increased urban density��and��warmer temperatures��that create a prime environment for increased bacteria growth��(especially in��America’s��aging��buildings and their water��systems), it is imperative for businesses to focus on prevention, rather than mitigation.����Not only is prevention less costly,��but it��can��most importantly help��save lives��and��protect your��company’s reputation.��Not to mention, outbreaks can lead to extended closures and loss of business, which can be costly too.����

Is Legionnaire’s��disease preventable?����

Yes, Legionnaire’s disease is preventable if businesses take proper precautions to��maintain��their water systems.��The CDC reported 6,000 cases in 2015��and predicts annual cases range from 10,000 to 15,000.����

How can your business protect itself from��legionella outbreaks in your facilities?����​

Legionella��outbreaks are likely to occur in buildings with��large,��complex water systems, such as hospitals, nursing homes,��hotels, office buildings,��manufacturing��facilities��and in��engineered water systems like cooling towers, water��fountains��and hot tubs.����

The most��common��places��to breed bacterial growth include:��

• Cooling towers.��

• Water features (falls, foundations, ponds, misters).��

• Swimming pools and hot tubs.��

• Drinking water fountains.��

• Aging water systems.��

• Unused plumbing.��

• Ice machines.��

• Water heating and hot water distribution.��

• Shower heads and faucets.��

However, by conducting formal evaluations to��identify��places��where��Legionella��growth��is likely to occur in your facility, you can proactively mitigate your risk by taking a basic approach��that involves:��

• Creating��a team.��

• Diagraming��water systems.��

• Evaluating��systems for risks.��

• Implementing��controls.��

• Monitoring��corrective actions.��

• Assessing��program effectiveness.��

• Documentation.��

How is Legionella regulated?����​

Unfortunately,��not��many��regulations specific to��Legionella��(although the number is increasing)��exist, and currently no federal regulations��are in place.��The��Centers for Medicare and Medicaid��Services (CMS)��has issued a��memo��that requires��all Medicaid facilities��nationally��to develop and��maintain��a��Legionella��management program,��in accordance with��the��CDC recommendations.����

Some state agencies have adopted their own��Legionella��regulations.��For instance, in 2015 and 2016, New York published rules for cooling towers and medical facilities, which��include registration of cooling towers, monitoring, notification,��maintenance��and reporting.����

More recently,��New Jersey��passed��a��comprehensive��rule,��requiring��community water systems to��always��maintain��a minimum detectable disinfectant��level in��all active parts of��its��public water system.��This��law��also��requires owners or operators of covered buildings or facilities (including hospitals, certain health care facilities,��prisons��and certain senior housing facilities) to develop a water management program to minimize the growth of L�𲵾��DzԱ������ bacteria in the facility’s water system and to include periodic sampling and testing for the presence of bacteria. It also includes fines for non-compliance.��While some state regulations exist, more can be done to protect public health.��

What is Atlas’ Experience in Addressing Legionella?��

Atlas’ team of highly qualified��industrial hygiene and building science experts have worked with businesses��and organizations��for many years to mitigate the potential risk of��Legionella.��Our team��helps by��creating��water management plans,��as well as��conducting��sampling��to identify��Legionella��and make��recommendations to help��mitigate��any��issues.��

Atlas recently helped a��25-story��office building by performing initial water sampling.��We��identified��Legionella��in one of the kitchen sinks. Our team helped��the client remediate the issue until the��Legionella��bacteria were��gone.����

We have many case studies like this; however,��to understand the real risks,��we��consider��several factors.��This might include��the number and age of��water and plumbing��fixtures, as well as how the systems have been maintained.��For example, a hotel has more��risk��than an office, and an old hotel��is more likely to have��conditions favoring��Legionella��growth��than a newly constructed hotel. Also, occupants of a retirement community are more likely to be susceptible to��Legionellosis disease than the occupants of a high school.����

If you are curious as to whether your business might be at risk for a��Legionella��outbreak, just��remember,��if��a building has��a��water system, there is a risk for��Legionella��growth. While there are��numerous��factors at play, the key to preventing��Legionella��growth is��maintaining��proper water quality,��disinfection��residuals, temperatures and flow-through—all pieces of an effective water management program.����

Project wins Engineering Excellence Award.

Faced with aging equipment and outdated technology, Caltrans needed a new way to measure friction on its roadways and bridges to keep California drivers safe. The agency identified Continuous Friction Measurement Equipment (CFME), a new technology that continuously collects friction data under walking speeds, as an alternative to measuring skid resistance.

Caltrans turned to Atlas and GritForce Inc. to conduct a thorough investigation—comparing the device historically used to collect this data—the California Portable Skid Tester (CA PST)—to the new CFME device. ��Atlas worked collaboratively with Caltrans and industry partners to assess equipment performance by implementing specialized friction surveys, examining the unique capabilities of CFMEs across a range of road surfaces, including asphalt and concrete pavements along bridge decks.

Findings from these efforts informed updates to CT 342, Caltrans’ specification for skid resistance monitoring. Pavement friction plays a critical role in keeping California’s roads safer because friction affects how vehicles interact with the road. By testing pavement friction, especially on bridges or locations where vehicles are turning, slowing and stopping, Caltrans is protecting its community and helping to prevent roadway collisions by modernizing its friction measurement technology that has been in place since the 1950s.

Atlas received a Commendation Award in the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) California in its 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards competition, for its partnership with Caltrans on this public safety project. The award recognizes Atlas’ role in helping Caltrans modernize its measurement tools for monitoring roadway friction.

“Atlas has been recognized locally and nationally for our strong collaboration with Caltrans to advance roadway safety through innovative technology,” said Jacque Hinman, Atlas CEO. “We are honored to see this new technology receive industry recognition advancing public safety standards.”

Recognized for partnering with Caltrans to modernize pavement testing and improve urban traffic safety��

AUSTIN, Texas, May 21, 2025 — Atlas Technical Consultants (Atlas), a leading provider of infrastructure and environmental solutions, has received state and national recognition for its work enhancing roadway safety through technology innovation. The firm received a 2025 Engineering Excellence Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of California and a National Recognition Award from ACEC for its partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

The awards recognized Atlas’ role in helping Caltrans update the method for testing pavement smoothness, particularly in busy urban areas. The project introduced Stop-and-Go Inertial Profilers (IPs), a new technology that collects pavement data at low speeds without shutting down traffic lanes, making testing safer, faster and more efficient.

Atlas was selected to lead field testing under simulated urban conditions and worked alongside Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration and industry stakeholders to update the state’s certification standards (California Test Method CT 387).

“This project reflects the strength of our collaboration with Caltrans and the expertise of our technical teams,” said Atlas CEO Jacque Hinman. “Together, we advanced a solution that improves public safety and sets a new benchmark for profiling technology across California.”

Caltrans has since implemented the updated CT 387 across all 12 districts, certifying both Stop-and-Go and conventional IPs. The improvement is already delivering results including reduced traffic disruptions, improved worker safety and lowered testing costs.

The ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) celebrate top engineering achievements that advance the profession and benefit society. Winners were recognized at the national EEA Gala in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2025.

About Atlas Technical Consultants:

Atlas provides professional testing, inspection, engineering, consulting and quality management services from more than 100 locations nationwide. With a talent base of 3,600 and $685 million in revenue, we deliver infrastructure and environmental solutions to public- and private-sector clients. To learn more about Atlas visit�� and follow us on�� |�� |��

Media Contacts:

Lori Irvine
Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications
lori.irvine@oneatlas.com

Plugging orphan and MCWs is one aspect of the overall closure process of well locations. Effective remediation requires comprehensive site evaluation, a detailed closure plan and post-restoration monitoring to ensure long-term stability.

The Risks of Leaving Wells Unplugged

When left unaddressed, orphan wells and certain MCWs can create environmental, operation and safety risks:

• Surface Leaks & Groundwater Contamination – Without a reliable seal, gas and fluids can migrate into groundwater-producing zones and affect drinking water. Fluids and gas can migrate to the surface and affect the soil and ground surface.
• Structural Failure & Site Instability – Many old wells have deteriorated, with casing integrity issues, in addition to inadequate plugging materials or the absence of plugging materials. As materials degrade, casing failures can lead to unintended interactions with other producing formations including those containing groundwater and those containing oil and gas.
• Impact on Future Production and Development – Unmapped and improperly plugged wells can interfere with new and existing energy production. Before drilling, companies must often locate and address orphan wells to avoid costly delays, regulatory challenges and operational disruptions. These wells also interfere with potential land development projects.

Well Program Sustainability

Without a broader strategy that includes sustained federal and state funding support, wells will not get the attention they need soon enough. The oil and gas well grant programs of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA/BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have provided additional funding to states that are typically underfunded for this work. With this additional funding, state oil and gas programs have been uplifted, hundreds of well sites have been closed and private sector jobs have been expanded to meet the demand. However, the lasting success of these programs depends on sustained existing funding and expanded funding, in addition to workforce investment and policies that support these programs.

A well closure program is only as effective as its long-term strategy. With continued commitment from policymakers and industry leaders, orphan well and MCW programs can turn liabilities into assets — protecting our natural resources and supporting future development opportunities.

Learn more about Atlas’ orphan, idle, abandoned and marginal well program management.

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