Caltrain Future Technology Assessment

Prepared for: Palo Alto Rail CommitteePrepared by: JPB

May 26, 2011

Committee Requested Topics

• Electrification Project (4/13/11)

• Electrification 35% Design (4/28/11)

• EMU vs. DMU (5/26/11)

• HSR and Caltrain MOU (TBD)

DMU

EMU vs. DMU

EMU

Locomotive Hauled Consist (LHC)

• Typically one powered vehicle per train

• Heavy – acceleration proportional to train length

Electric Multiple Unit -- EMU

• Self propelled electric vehicles

• Distributed traction

• Light weight – good acceleration

Diesel Multiple Unit -- DMU

• Self propelled diesel-mechanical or diesel-electric vehicles

• Distributed traction

• Medium weight – medium acceleration

Current EMU Market

SEPTA Silverliner V Metra Highliner

Alstom Coradia Siemens Desiro

Stadler KISS

Current DMU Market

Nippon Sharyo DMU (SMART)

Stadler GTW (Austin Cap Metro)

US Railcar (Portland WES)

Siemens Desiro (San Diego)

US Railcar Double Deck (SFRTA Miami)

How Local Needs Drive Vehicle Selection (Recent Projects)

RailroadNumber  

of   Stations

System Length (miles)

Station Spacing (miles)

Boardings per Day

Train Length (cars)

Train Length (seats)

Headway (min)

Trains per day

Car Miles per Day

Vehicle Selected

Caltrain* 23 47.3 2.1 71,000  6 600 10 114 32,353  EMU

Denver RTD ‐ East 7 23.2 3.3 2,590  4 360 15 149 13,827  EMU

Denver RTD ‐ Gold 8 11.4 1.4 1,350  2 180 15 145 3,306  EMU

SMART (full buildout) 14 70.2 5.0 6,550  2 158 30 30 4,212  DMU

eBART 3 10 3.3 3,900  2 100 15 200 4,000  DMU*Future (2035) 6 TPH ‐ San Jose to San Francisco (assume Gilroy service continues as locomotive hauled)

Caltrain-Specific Constraints

• Budget

• Right of Way

• ADA Accessibility

• Tunnel Clearance

• Platform Length

• Downtown Extension (Transbay)– Tunnel height

– Exhaust fans

Uncertainties – 30-year Decisions

Energy Pricing• Diesel

• Electricity

Changing Federal Regulations• ADA

• EPA

Economy• Funding

• Ridership

Technology Advancements

EMU vs SL-DMU vs DD-DMU Assumptions

• 2035 EIR Operation – 114 trains per day

• Try to maintain similar operating schedule –maximize station stops and minimize trip time

• San Jose to San Francisco (Gilroy shuttle independent of EMU/DMU)

• New EMUs or DMUs, Locomotives and coaches retired or moved to Gilroy

• Fuel = $4.0 per gallon

• Electricity = $.09 per kWh

SL-DMU = single level DMU; DD-DMU = double deck DMU

Performance Comparison

Performance Item Bi‐Level EMUSingle Level 

DMUDouble Deck 

DMU

Train Length (number of cars) 6 8 4

Seating Capacity (passengers per car) 100 78 180

Powered Cars per Train Half All All*

Estimated One Way Energy Use 1,723 kWh 122 gal 73 gal

Acceleration Highest Middle Lowest

*Even with all cars powered, the number of station stops must be reduced to maintain common trip time

Infrastructure Comparison

Infrastructure Issue ExistingBi‐Level EMU

Single Level DMU

Double Deck DMU

Train Length (number of cars) 5 6 8 4

Platform Length (feet) 519* 500 680 350

Platform Height for Level Boarding (inches) 8** 25 25 or 48 48

Car Height (nominal clearance) 16'‐2" 15'‐1" 14'‐7" 19'‐8"

Will it fit in existing tunnels? Yes Yes Yes No

Will it fit in current design for DTX tunnel? Yes Yes Yes No

Additional ventilation required? Yes No Yes Yes

Overhead Traction Electrification Required? No Yes No No

Red text indicates infrastructure modifications needed*Shortest platform, others are longer**Existing 8" platforms do not accommodate level boarding

Lifecycle Cost ComparisonCost Item Bi‐Level EMU

Single Level DMU

Double Deck DMU*

Fleet Size 160 214 106

Fleet Cost $$$ $$$ $$$

Electrification Capital Cost ($785 mil) $$$$ ‐ ‐

Extend Platform Length (feet) ‐ $$ ‐

Raise Platforms $ $ $$

Bore Existing Tunnels ‐ ‐ $$

Increased Bore in DTX ‐ ‐ $$

Ventilation of DTX for Diesel ‐ $$ $$

Maintenance and Storage Facilities $$ $$ $

Energy and Vehicle Maintenance (30 yrs) $$$$ $$$$$ $$$$

Lifecycle Cost over 30 Years $$$$$ $$$$$ $$$$$

$ > $20 mil

$$ $20 mil - 100 mil $$$$ > $500 mil -$1 bil

$$$ $100 mil - $500 mil $$$$$ < $1 bil

Recommended Technology: EMU

• Proven technology and large supplier pool = low risk

• Frequent service (6 TPH or more during peak)

• Highest acceleration allows service to maximum number of stations

• Manageable fleet size

• Fits current platform lengths

• Lowest local emissions (noise and air quality)

Emerging Technology

Emerging Technologies - Hybrids

Hybrid Freight Locomotive

Hybrid Metro Vehicle

Fuel Cell Switch Engine

Hybrid Streetcar

Questions/ Answers