Bison Rail Systems participated on a team that is evaluated the current lightning protection systems used by the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) with the goal of finding the cause of frequent lightning strikes on LIRR signaling locations, as well as to improve the lightning protection system design.

Bison Rail Systems specific tasks included:

• Conducting field testing of grounding systems and surge suppression systems

• Inspecting damaged equipment and systems to identify patterns of failure

• Developed a design calculations spreadsheet of voltage rise and lightning strike potentials at each signal location under survey in accordance with NFPA 780.