Minutes of Committee Meeting
AP070(1) SELF POWERED RAIL CAR TECHNOLOGIES SUBCOMMITTEE
SATURDAY JUNE 5, 2010 at 4:00 PM
KENSINGTON ROOM, HYATT REGENCY VANCOUVER BC
David Nelson, Chairman and David Wilcock, Acting Secretary
CALL TO ORDER
The Subcommittee Chair, David Nelson (Jacobs Engineering Group), called the meeting to order at 4:05 PM.
ATTENDANCE
Members and friends of the subcommittee introduced themselves. A total of 23 people were in attendance. One (1) person was on the teleconference line. Please see the attached sign-in sheet.
AGENDA
See attached meeting agenda.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Review of Annual Meeting Notes (01/13/2010)
The Minutes of the Annual Subcommittee meeting held on January 13, 2010 at the Washington Hilton Hotel were reviewed.
The Minutes were accepted as presented.
Committee Secretary Position
Chairman Nelson reported that the position of Committee Secretary remains vacant. Anyone interested in filling the position should contact the Chair. David Wilcock agreed to act as the Secretary for today’s meeting.
Review of the 2011 Research Plan and Potential Session Topics
David Nelson led a discussion of the potential 2011 research and session topics discussed at the January 13th annual meeting:
· Hybrid SPRC Technologies – There are several potential hybrid technologies that may be applicable to SPRCs. This may be an area of research that the committee wishes to further explore.
· Positive Train Control – This is a major issue across the industry impacting all vehicle types. There may be an opportunity for a session focused on track sharing and non-compliant SPRC technologies implications of PTC.
Bob Doty (Peninsula Rail Program (CalTrain)) reported on the recent waiver granted for the Peninsula rail service. It was a lengthy process with many steps but the outcome has been positive. CalTrain will be permitted to operate non-FRA compliant equipment so long as certain conditions are met:
o GPS will be used to keep the trains apart
o All types of mixed traffic operations are permitted except with freight trains
o All types of mixed traffic operations are permitted north of Diridon Station
o PTC must be in place prior to commencement of new equipment operations
o Grade crossing protection systems must be upgraded
CalTrain was able to successful demonstrate the effectiveness of the crash energy management (CEM) system employed in the non-compliant vehicles
A separate discussion ensued on the continued evolution of the River Line service in New Jersey. The freight and light rail windows have more overlap now than when the service started. There is a need for both longer passenger and freight service periods. The situation now allows “on demand” freight service during the day.
It was agreed that there is a potential for a session based on these two services. The stories and potential presenters are:
o CalTrain Story – Bob Dody
o River Line (NJ) – Al Fazio
o Austin (TX) – Doug Allen
o Denton County (TX) – No one identified
· New Compliant DMU Market – There have been some recent developments in the market for orders of fully compliant DMUs. SMART is out with an RFP for compliant cars that is due this month. Portland TriMet, Houston Metro, and Denver RTD are all contemplating orders.
· Level Boarding Strategies – This is a universal issue that cuts across all modes. On the commuter rail side, the issues associated with the Plate C freight clearance envelope must be addressed. Sound Transit has elected to go with lifts built into each car.
· Volpe Center Update – David Terrell provided an update at the 2010 Committee Meeting on Volpe Center research. This update might be helpful to a broader audience.
· Crash Energy Management Versus PTC – Which is the right approach for your service? Bob Highfill and Tom Furmaniak agreed to investigate the possibility of a session built around this topic.
New Business
There was no new business reported.
COMMITTEE PROGRAM
There were no presentations made to the sub-committee.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.
Distribution: Subcommittee members
Section Chair
Group Council Chair
TRB Staff Representative
2010 Mid Year Meeting
AP070(1) Self-Powered Rail Car Technologies Subcommittee
Saturday June 5, 2010 4:00-5:00 PM
Kensington Room | Fourth Floor
HYATT REGENCY VANCOUVER BC
At APTA’s Rail Conference
1. Call to order.
2. Approval of Minutes from Meeting January 13, 2010.
3. Discussion of 2011 Research Agenda and Session Plans
- Level Boarding: Strategies for “bridging the gap” to permit true level boarding.
- Positive Train Control: Impacts on Track Sharing and Non-Compliant DMU Regulation
- Documentation of best practices developed in existing services
- New Compliant DMU Markets
- SMART (18/72)
- Portland TriMet (0/12)
- Houston Metro (0/75)
- Denver RTD (0/12)
