AMTRAK ROUTE HITS HIGH SPEEDS
AI Helps Combat Poaching
United ' s App Upgrade
TRUE NORTH
MARKUS MAINKA / SHUTTERSTOCKCOM
An Amtrak train leaving Chicago ’ s
Union Station .
AMTRAK ROUTE HITS HIGH SPEEDS
Earlier this summer , Amtrak took things up a notch when the Illinois Department of Transportation approved a speed increase for trains traveling the railroad ’ s popular Chicago to St . Louis corridor . Train travel along the busy route is now permitted to reach speeds of 110 mph — 20 mph faster than previously allowed — saving riders an average of 30 minutes when going from Chicago to Bloomington- Normal , IL , and around an hour and a half when traveling from Chicago to St . Louis .
COURTESY OF THANDA SAFARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
AI Helps Combat Poaching
Three Rhinos in a field .
While much of the news surrounding AI sways doom and gloom , the up-and-coming technology is acting for good in South Africa where Thanda Safari , a Big Five game resort , is using AI to track and monitor its rhino populations . Outfitted in the form of an AI-enabled collar , the new tool allows rangers to observe and analyze animals ’ behavior patterns in addition to registering abnormal activities including poaching attempts , illnesses , fighting and more . In 2022 , South Africa lost 448 rhinos to poaching , making this technology a gamechanger for the region ’ s ongoing conservation efforts .
United Airlines ' updated mobile app .
United ' s App Upgrade
Recent changes to United Airlines ’ mobile app now allow travelers to browse and purchase rebooking options in the case of a delay or cancelation . The new update came after beta-testing by the airline found 50 % of United customers look to the app or United . com for self-serve options during travel disruptions . In addition to more booking options , the app will also present eligible customers — those with a flight cancelation or a flight delayed by more than 60 minutes — with meal , ground transportation and hotel vouchers .
COURTESY OF UNITED AIRLINES
14 / THE COMPASS / FALL 2023 vaxvacationaccess . com / thecompass