ATCS System and Train Control Upgrade Program

November 28, 2018

(20 Slides)

Dan HowardProject Manager

Engineering, Maintenance, and Safety Committee

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Presentation Outline

• SFMTA Overview

• What is Train Control?

• ATCS System Overview

• Current Challenges

• Roadmap for the Future

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SFMTA Overview

• Over 73,000 daily boardings

• 71.5 Miles of track (5.8 Miles in tunnel)

• 9 Subway stations; 24 Surface stations

• 87 Surface stops

• 2 LRV Yards

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4

N Judah

L Taraval

M Oceanview

J Church

T Third

Twin Peaks Tunnel

Market StSubway

K Ingleside

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What is Train Control?Primarily, train control is a safety system which is designed to prevent train-to-train collisions.

Generally, train control systems do not address the risk of collision between trains and other vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians. These capabilities are currently being researched.

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What is Train Control? (cont)Secondarily, more modern train control systems can be used to manage rail service, giving operations staff the tools to monitor and adjust trains’ speeds and dwell times to ensure the trains stay on schedule and maintain consistent headways.

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What is Train Control? (cont)

Generally, there are two types of train control:

Fixed block

Moving block

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Existing Signaling Systems

• Above Ground• Line of sight manual operation with Transit Signals• VETAG for Train Operator switch position request• VETAG for Traffic Signal interface• VPI and relay based interlockings

• Market St. and new Central Subways• Thales Seltrac IS: loop based, with ATO • Secondary Train Detection using Axle Counter Blocks

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A Surface Interlocking (3rd & 25th)

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ATCS System Overview

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VCC – Vital Control Computer

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ATCS System Overview

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Station Controllers

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ATCS System Overview

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Wayside Equipment

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ATCS System Overview

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Carborne Equipment (VOBC)

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ATCS System Overview

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SMC – System Management Center

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ATCS System Overview

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Current Challenges

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Geography

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Portal Delays

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Communication Issues

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Breakdowns

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Subway Congestion

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System Failures

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Surface Variability / Turnbacks

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Roadmap for the Future

• Technology Upgrades

• System Expansion

• New Capabilities

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Technology Upgrades

• Replace loop cable with wireless

• New onboard computers

• New central computers

• New axle counters / secondary detection

Would address:System Failures Communication IssuesPortal Delays

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System ExpansionExpanding the system to the surface would eliminate some key geographic issues, specifically

Portal Delays: Reduced by the trains staying within the system

Communication Issues & Breakdowns: Reduced by the trains entering at yards, where issues can be addressed.

Subway Congestion, Surface Variability, and Turnbacks: Controllers would be able to ‘see’ trains in the entire system, allowing them better opportunity

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Connection to Traffic Signals

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New Capabilities

• In-cab signaling

• Coordination with traffic signals

• Enforcement of signal violations

• Automatic Fault Monitoring

• Adaptive headway management

• Reverse running and special events

Questions?