Originally published in 2019. Updated July 2025 for context.
There are over 250,000 rail crossings in North America and more than 700,000 worldwide. For many, blocked crossings are a daily frustration, and for emergency services, they can be dangerous. TRAINFO is changing that.
TRAINFO’s predictive alert system gives cities, drivers, and emergency responders real-time information about approaching trains. By knowing in advance when a rail crossing will be blocked, they can reroute and respond faster.
TRAINFO is part of the North Forge Founders Program and continues to use its services to grow. “The mentor North Forge placed us with has been incredibly valuable,” said Neil Ternowetsky, Co-founder and CTO. “They make sure to ask the hard questions to keep us honest as we grow the company and supports us in the areas that are outside of our expertise.”
From Startup to Citywide Deployment
Since its early success with North Forge’s mentorship and programming, TRAINFO has rapidly scaled:
Deployed its predictive technology in 10 initial sites
Expanded to 15 more locations across Canada
Launched U.S. pilot projects in Seattle and Colorado
Integrated with Siemens, a major global traffic control provider
Signed on new cities, with more deployments planned throughout 2025
TRAINFO also launched a U.S. Federal Rail Administration-funded research project focused on helping emergency responders reduce delays at blocked crossings.
Major Milestone in Winnipeg
In January 2025, Winnipeg approved a five-year, $417,000 sensor expansion across the city. With support from Transport Canada and Olexa Developments, the system will integrate with Waze and emergency dispatch software.
The expansion follows a successful pilot that saw emergency vehicle delays reduced by 71% at rail crossings, thanks to TRAINFO’s real-time alerts.
“This kind of result is why we started the company,” said Ternowetsky. “It’s not just about traffic—it’s about saving lives.”
The Role of North Forge
North Forge helped TRAINFO develop its early business model, access funding opportunities, and connect with experienced mentors. Through ongoing mentorship and programming, the team had the guidance it needed to refine their product, expand their market, and bring in global partners.
What’s Next
TRAINFO is focused on growing its U.S. presence and expanding partnerships with city governments, emergency services, and major traffic control companies. They’re also working on additional use cases where their predictive technology can ease congestion and improve safety.
Are You Solving a Real-World Problem? North Forge’s Startup Program offers founders access to mentorship, prototyping labs, funding navigation, and a national innovation network. Whether you’re tackling a local issue or building a global solution, North Forge can help you get there. Join the Founders Program
