Metrolink Positive Train Control Program May 2012

Transcription

1 Metrolink Positive Train Control Program May 2012 Metrolink s aggressive Positive Train Control (PTC) program calls for installing a back-office system, replacing the current computeraided dispatch system, installing on-board equipment on 57 cab cars and 52 locomotives, installing stop enforcement systems at 476 wayside signals, and implementing a six-county specialized communication network to link the wayside signals, trains and centralized dispatch office. The Metrolink system operates seven routes providing 165 weekday commuter trains on more than 388 route miles through six counties in Southern California and carrying over average weekday riders. The Metrolink Operations Center is the dispatching hub for SCRRA, and handles all trains which traverse Metrolink property. This includes other passenger and freight carriers, making it one of the nation s busiest and most complex rail networks. The total number of Metrolink, Amtrak, BNSF UPRR trains dispatched on a daily basis exceeds 300. In October 2010, Metrolink procured a Vendor/Integrator (V/I) contractor to design, install and test the agency s PTC system. Given the significant challenges to implement the program, the contract s aggressive schedule has been impacted by a number of delays, including the development of the core interoperable back office server (BOS) for the major freight railroads. In addition, national industry standards for PTC messaging and product development for PTC radios have experienced challenges. As a result, the original December 2012 revenue service goal is now forecasted to be achieved by late However, steady progress is being made toward the revised completion milestone. Status of PTC Implementation: Below is the current status of some of the V/I s main system components: Metrolink formally submitted its request to the FRA to begin witnessing field validation of Metrolink s PTC database. The request marks an important milestone, as it signifies that a number of associated components are mature and ready for FRA review, including the development of test plans, the implementation of a Change & Configuration Management Plan, and the new Timetable No. 8. The draft PTC Safety Plan (PTCSP) was prepared to make the common product elements consistent with a template being developed by the Joint Rail Safety Team. The SCRRA-specific components are under review by SCRRA management prior to submitting to the FRA for informal review in July. The V/I contractor issued a purchase order for the production ITC 220 MHz radios which are expected to be delivered in July and August. The V/I contractor also participated with BNSF, UPRR, Meteorcomm and PTC 220 in radio testing that assessed radio propagation and handoffs between the different railroads. After participating in the FRA-witnessed ETMS VII brake testing in the February/March period, SCRRA again mobilized a test train and resources in preparation of ETMS VII functional testing to measure the train s response to wayside signals, dispatcher restrictions, and prove the crew authentication system. This testing is anticipated to begin the first week of June and continue through July. The installation of on-board equipment is well underway with twelve locomotives/cab cars and three hy-rails now equipped with Kit 1 hardware. A second round of pilot (prototypical) installations are being completed along with design documentation as the V/I contractor proceeds into full production installation. In order to overcome delays, plans are being developed to add additional installation crews to perform on-board installations.

2 The V/I contractor is in full testing and debugging mode as it continues its efforts to develop a new SCRRA CAD system. The system continues to face challenges as new issues are found during the testing which require additional software releases and testing. Although the V/I contractor is unlikely to meet its CAD Phase I cut-over milestone date in July, it is not anticipated that a delay would impact the overall PTC schedule. Radio Spectrum in the 220 MHz band is required to allow the wireless portion of the PTC to function. This function includes train to wayside signal links and train and signal to base station links. Although there are no updates at this time on SCRRA s acquisition of 220MHz radio spectrum and FCC licensure, SCRRA has negotiated a five-year lease of spectrum held by PTC 220 LLC. The agreement will be presented to the SCRRA Board for approval in July. Status of Related Components of PTC: Wayside Interface Unit (WIU) Installations During the period, crews completed nearly all WIU installations on the Valley, Ventura and San Gabriel Subdivisions. Prior to installing the modules, crews are programming, configuring and bench testing the WIUs. WIU installations remain ahead of successor activities on the V/I contractor s schedule. Communications Backhaul PTC project team continues to closely coordinate with the related Communications Backhaul Project for Valley, Ventura and East San Gabriel (VVSG) which has encountered a number of design and construction challenges. As a result, on a number of areas where there is overlap between the two programs, work will be performed under the PTC contract, in order to get the work completed sooner. Pomona Hardened Train Control Building A down-scoped version of the project was advertised for re-bid in April with bids due on June 8 th. Bids will be reviewed and Pre-Qualified responsible and responsive bids will be opened on June 15 th. Metrolink will be seeking Board approval in July for the award of a design/build construction contract for the TCOSF facility. Challenges: Spectrum Acquisition The planned purchase of 220MHz spectrum which began in 2009 was challenged by a third party, which may then result in impacts to the V/I system testing, acceptance and implementation of the PTC system. As the holding firm has since gone into bankruptcy, SCRRA and outside Counsel are pursuing legal remedy for both the spectrum purchase and subsequent FCC licensing process. SCRRA is developing alternative strategies should this purchase approach prove to be unsuccessful. Additionally, SCRRA is finalizing a lease agreement with the Class 1 freights regarding the shared use of frequencies that they control. PTC Radios PTC requires special radios that are being developed by Meteorcomm, a firm owned by the four largest freight railroads (BNSF, UPRR, CSX, NS). Software and hardware development delays impose potential impacts on the testing and commissioning process. To limit this risk, SCRRA has committed that prototypical radios will be available for proof of concept/pre testing and that sufficient quantities of approved and tested production radios will be available to support the V/I's implementation schedule. The review and approval of standard releases is now being submitted from the vendor for review by legal councils representing all parties involved. It is anticipated that radios will be available for initial testing on the San Gabriel Subdivison. Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) The inability of the V/I Contractor to effectively develop the CAD software is impacting the implementation schedule and system certification. A phased installation approach is being followed to minimize

3 impacts to the PTC schedule. Continual issues arising from testing and debugging is threating the cut-over milestone for CAD Phase I however this delay is not anticipated to impact the overall PTC schedule.,. Back Office Server (BOS) In order to achieve interoperability, common standards and requirements must be developed by the ITC committee. The delay in the development in BOS software is on the critical path, resulting in overall project schedule delays. To mitigate additional impacts due to delays in the BOS development for Class 1 freight railroads, a decision has been made by SCRRA and the V/I contractor to implement BOS Version 3.2.M for Metrolink, which is built off of the core BOS and independent of additional administrative functions being developed for the freight railroads. Development of new software and Configuration Management System - Development of new software code carries inherent risks which, in spite of the best configuration management practices by the developer, will typically be released with some discrepancies or flaws ( bugs ). If these flaws are anything other than minor, the functionality of the system may be compromised and re work or re testing of system components may be necessary and could delay the system integration and acceptance testing. A defined set of practices and requirements that comply with SCRRA (and IEEE) standards are included in the V/I contract and will minimize disagreements over any impact resulting from SCRRA provided updates to system information throughout the PTC system lifecycle.

4 Positive Train Control Updated Timeline

5 PTC Funding Update In the April/May period, SCRRA s secured funding remained unchanged; $210.9 million including the $9.3 million in PTMISEA funds presented to the SCRRA Technical Advisory Committee in early April. The additional funds have been allocated to support the Pomona Campus contract re-bid and SCRRA staff, consultant, and V/I contractor staff extensions related to the schedule extension. SCRRA staff is working with the SCRRA Board of Directors on authorization to spend the PTMISEA funds. SCRRA is still concerned that additional delays out of our control may require additional costs not contemplated in our current projections. Next Steps Metrolink believes PTC is a life-saving technology and is committed to implementing PTC on our Southern California rail network in advance of the 2015 federal mandate. We would like to continue working with our Congressional, State Legislative, regulatory, freight and passenger rail partners. We request the support of our partners to be successful in the implementation of PTC. Contact: Metrolink Government Affairs Manager Patricia Torres Bruno at or [email protected]