positive train control testing for wayside interface units · positive train control testing for...

Positive Train Control Testing for Wayside Interface Units

David Thurston, PhD, P.E. FIRSEVice President, Rail Systems

Parsons1601 Market Street, Suite 900

Philadelphia, PA [email protected]

Number of words: 2408

ABSTRACT:

This paper is an introduction the AREMA process for Positive Train Control Manual Parts and describes the activities of AREMA Committee 39. The paper will specifically deal with two manual parts related to testing and placing in service Wayside Interface Units (WIUs) that are an integral part of the field components of PTC. Examples of I-ETMS type PTC will be used to fully describe the process and tools required.

INTRODUCTION TO COMMITTEE 39

In years past, AREMA committee 37 produced Interoperable Positive Train Control Recommended Practices based on wayside integration and simplified radio based cab signaling [1]. That effort preceded the events leading up to the passage of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 that require Positive Train Control (PTC) to be installed on most of the nation’s railroads. When the details for Positive Train Control (PTC) were codified by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in 2009 [2], it became apparent to the rail industry in the United States that the available resources would be stretched to the limit to meet the final cut-in date of December 31, 2015.

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association (AREMA) has long been involved in standards and recommended practice that increase the efficiency of engineering, construction and maintenance staff. This is largely accomplished by streamlining signal and communications work through uniform approaches to work flow and material supply. Therefore it was logical for AREMA to be involved in areas of PTC for the same purposes. Committee 39 – Positive Train Control within the Communications and Signals (C&S) Functional Group was formed to provide the resources within AREMA for the creation and maintenance of Manual Parts within the C&S Manual for use by all railways in the United States.

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Figure 1, The Classic I-ETMS Equipment Layout for PTC.

Composed of 143 members from various interests in the rail systems industry, Committee 39 has been very busy working towards the goal of providing useful manual parts for the last three years. During that time, the full committee has met twelve times at various venues including the RSSI Product Show, the AREMA annual conference and Class 1 railroad offices. A sample agenda is shown in Figure 2, below.

Full Committee 8:00 - 9:00 Welcome

Safety BriefingSelf IntroductionsApproval of Minutes from Previous MeetingAREMA Board Update

9:00 -10:00 ITC Update10:00 -10:15 Break 10:15 - 11:00 Sub-Committee Updates & Assignments11:00 - 11:30 Sub-Committee Breakout11:30 - 1:00 Lunch1:00 - 2:30 Sub-Committee Breakout2:30 - 2:45 Break2:45 - 5:00 Full Committee Review of Sub-Committee Work 5:00 Adjourn

Figure 2, A typical Committee 39 meeting Agenda.

The committee’s make up consists of approximately 34% railroad employees, 35% from the supply community, and 31% from consultants. This meets the expectations and guidelines for committee diversity as required by AREMA.

MISSION STATEMENT

From the first committee meeting, the guiding principal has remained constant. This is true even as the technology and standards as produced by; the Interoperable Train Control

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committees of the AAR, ACSES and ITCS type PTC types continue to develop. Our mission statement is as follows:

“The purpose of AREMA Committee 39 is to continually review current and new technology addressing the installation, testing and maintenance of Positive Train Control wayside equipment and systems and develop recommended "industry practices" with the overall goal of improving the safety and reliability of train operations [3].”

In keeping with AREMA’s role and Committee 39’s focus, the manual parts produced relate to the design and installation of field PTC equipment and not the locomotive, communications network, or dispatch interface.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

Committee 39 is currently organized with elections for officers as follows:

Sid Bakker: ChairmanHarvey Glickenstein: Vice ChairmanJohn Moore: SecretaryDave Gove: Chair of Subcommittee 1

Mark Engels: Chair of Subcommittee 2David Thurston: Chair of Subcommittee 3Greg Rogers: Chair of Subcommittee 4Open: Chair of Subcommittee 5

It should be noted that the Committee benefited from previous leadership for Secretary from Dave Gove, for Subcommittee 1 Chair from Greg Hackbarth, and for Subcommittee 5 Chair 5 from Tom Burns. In addition, a special thanks goes to Jim Barrett, who served as Committee 39 Chairman from its inception until 2012.

Originally composed of three subcommittees, it has since been expanded into five recognizing the importance of Information Technology as a major component of PTC and Communications for the review of all functions that were previously assigned to that group as a separate committee on its own right. These five subcommittees are described below:

Subcommittee 1: Design and Installation.Subcommittee 2: Configuration Management.Subcommittee 3: Testing and Maintenance.

Subcommittee 4: Communications.Subcommittee 5: Information Technology.

Over the three plus years of operation, Committee 39 has been productive in establishing several new Manual Parts, reviewing existing Manual Parts for relevance to PTC, and establishing a level of expertise in PTC application. Each subcommittee had contributed to the process and it can generally be seen through the numbering style used for Manual Parts. They generally indicate Positive Train Control content (Chapter 24), then the subcommittee number (1 through 5 as above) and, then the sequential order of the document. Therefore 24.1.1 indicates it is PTC related, originated in subcommittee 1 (Design and Installation) and was the first Manual Part from that subcommittee. The currently approved manual Parts are listed below in Table 1.

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Table 1, Current AREMA Committee 39 Manual Parts [4]

Manual Part Name24.1.1 Recommended Practices for Incorporating Hand Throw Switches into

Non-signaled Territory – PTC Systems – ITC TYPE

24.3.1 Recommended Instructions for Test of Positive Train Control Wayside

Interface Units (WIU) before Placing in Service

24.3.2 Recommended Instructions for End to End Test of Positive Train Control Wayside Interface Units (WIU) 4

24.4.1 Recommended Design Guidelines for Maintainer Interface on PTC

Communication and Network Equipment

24.4.2 Recommended Installation Practices for RF Transmission Systems

In addition, Committee 39 reviewed existing Manual Parts from other committees for applicability to PTC work. The following lists the Manual Parts reviewed and modified by Committee 39 in table 2 below:

Table 2, AREMA Manual Parts Reviewed for PTC Applicability [4]

Manual Part Name21.4.1 Recommended Design Criteria for Wayside Communication Surge

Protection

22.1.1 Recommended Clean Cab Radio Channel Designators and Railroad Radio Service VHF Frequency Table

22.1.2 Listing of Allocated Frequencies in the Railroad Radio Service

22.2.1 Recommended Design Criteria/Functional Guidelines for Interface of Radio Communications Module in "Clean Cab" Locomotive

22.2.2 Recommended Functional/Operating Guidelines for Remote Control of Engine by Portable Radio

22.2.3 Recommended Design Criteria for Rack Mounted Frequency Modulated Transceiver and Accessories

22.2.4 Recommended Practices for Installation of Digital Data Radio Systems for Wayside Applications

The committee also is producing other manual Parts for future distribution in the AREMA Signal Manual of Recommended Practices. This is part of the regular process that all AREMA committees utilize to establish and maintain Manual Parts as a Standards Body for the Railway industry. These draft Manual Parts are presented below in table 3.

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Table 3, Future AREMA Manual Parts for PTC

Manual Part Name21.1.3 Recommended Design and Installation Criteria for Lightning Protection,

Grounding, and Equipotential Bonding Systems for Wayside Communication

21.1.4 Recommended Design Criteria for Wayside Communication Surge Protection

24.1.3 Recommended Guidelines for PTC Monitoring of Signals24.4.2 Recommended Installation Practices for RF Transmission Systems24.4.1 Recommended Design Guidelines for Maintainer Interface on PTC

Communication and Network Equipment24.5.1 Recommended Practices for PTC Systems with Back office Servers24.5.2 Recommended Practices for Interoffice Extranet24.5.3 Recommended Practices for Intra Railroad Networking

In addition to the Manual Parts mentioned above, Subcommittee 3 (Testing & Maintenance) is also taking on the review of Chapter 23 Manual Parts from the earlier effort to standardize radio based cab signals [1], and is developing a PTC related seminar for a futureAREMA function.

SUBCOMMITTEE 3 DETAILS MAINTENANCE AND TESTING FOR WIUWithin the Committee 39 structure, Subcommittee 3 is responsible for PTC aspects of

testing and maintenance of wayside PTC systems. Specific to the mission of Committee 39, the field equipment that is of interest is the Wayside Interface Unit (WIU) that converts the status of wayside signal equipment to a serial message sent to approaching trains. If the Wayside Status Relay Service (WSRS) is installed on the PTC system, it is also possible for WIUs to communicate to the Interoperable Train Control Message (ITCM) server stack for regular messages for approaching trains as well as health monitoring at remote locations [5]. The Subcommittee’s approach to testing of WIUs used the viewpoint of the railroad maintenance forces typically charged with this function. Therefore, the documents created by the Subcommittee are centered on the use of tools that can be used to test the WIUs with a minimum of time or disarrangement of circuits. Since the Association of American Railroads (AAR) specification details the use of Ethernet as the means of communicating the serial messages from the WIU to the Wayside Message Sever (WMS) or communications network [6], the Subcommittee concentrated on using a laptop computer to interrogate the WIU in place of the connection to the rest of the PTC open network.

MANUAL PARTS PRODUCEDAs a result of meetings of the Subcommittee and the overall Committee 39, two Manual

Parts were created to describe the required testing of Positive Train Control WIUs. The first Manual Part describes the procedure for testing WIUs as a standalone unit in preparation for final commissioning of the device into the PTC open Communications Network. The second

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Manual Part describes the procedure for testing WIUs as part of an overall functional PTC system to test that the correct data is being transmitted to the approaching train. Figure 3, below, is a sample of the documents produced [7].

Figure 3, An example of the Manual Parts produced for WIU testing [7]

Within the Manual Parts, the procedure describes the actual connection process between the WIU and the laptop computer used for testing. The figure used in the Manual Part for the standalone test is shown below in figure 4.

Figure 4, This is Figure 2431-5 from Manual Part 24-3-1 for standalone WIU Test [7]

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Once the standalone Manual Part 24-3-1 was drafted, consideration was given to the holistic test with the full build out of PTC infrastructure. This resulted in the second Manual Part 24-3-2 [8]. Although very similar in process, the key difference with the second testing Manual Part is that the testing laptop computer is not used and is replaced with a working locomotive Train Management Computer (TMC). This can be an actual locomotive, a portable test set mounted on a hirail vehicle, or any form of equipped substituted for these. Figure 5 below shows this arrangement for end t end testing described in Manual Part 24-3-2.

Figure 5, This is Figure 2432-3 from Manual Part 24-3-2 for end to end WIU Test [8]

Figure 5 below shows an actual testing laptop computer in use testing WIUs on the Metrolink project. This scene represents a standalone test as describe in Manual Part 24-3-1.

Figure 6, An actual field test example

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The Committee 39 activities in setting industry recommended practice and standards was applied to Positive Train Control in several key areas including design, installation, configuration management, testing, communications, and information technology. This paper illustrated the application of the AREMA process for creating manual parts for the testing of field apparatus in preparation of commissioning PTC systems. As more PTC systems are developed, Committee 39 will continue to address the future needs for Manual Parts for the rail industry.

REFERENCES[1] William A. Petit, “Interoperable Positive Train Control (PTC)”, AREMA 2009

Annual Conference, Communications and Signals Track, September, 20-23, Chicago, IL.

[2] Code of Federal Regulation, Part 49 236 Subpart i.[3] Initial Documents related to the formation and function of Committee 39 during

the first meeting at the Gaylord Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee on May 20, 2009. [4] AREMA Communications and Signals Manual of Recommended Practice, 2012.[5] Henry McCreary, Presentation on “PTC Communications Design

& Implementation Alternatives” to I-ETMS Workshop in St. Louis, MO, October, 2012

[6] Interoperable Train Control Wayside Interface Unit Requirements, Railway Electronics Specification AAR S-9202, Version 1.2.5, ITC Accepted Draft, June 27, 2010.

[7] AREMA Manual Part 24_3_1 Recommended Instructions for Test of Positive Train Control Wayside Interface Units (WIU) before Placing in Service Revised 2013.

[8] AREMA Manual Part 24_3_2 Recommended Instructions for End to End Test of Positive Train Control Wayside Interface Units (WIU) Revised 2013.

LISTING OF ALL TABLE TITLES AND FIGURE CAPTIONS

Figure 1, The Classic I-ETMS Equipment Layout for PTC. ................................................ Figure 2, A typical Committee 39 meeting Agenda. ............................................................ Figure 3, An example of the Manual Parts produced for WIU testing [7] ........................... Figure 4, This is Figure 2431-5 from Manual Part 24-3-1 for standalone WIU Test [7] ..... Figure 5, This is Figure 2432-3 from Manual Part 24-3-2 for end to end WIU Test [8]...... Figure 6, An actual field test example ..................................................................................

Table 1, Current AREMA Committee 39 Manual Parts [4] ................................................. Table 2, AREMA Manual Parts Reviewed for PTC Applicability [4] ................................. Table 3, Future AREMA Manual Parts for PTC ..................................................................

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHDavid F. Thurston

David Thurston is Vice President for Rail Systems for Parsons, a position he has held for the past 5 years. David joined Parsons after 20 years with SYSTRA, where he served in a similar role. Previous to these assignments, he held positions at Conrail and Norfolk Southern. He received his BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Clemson University in 1977, a MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from George Mason University in 1989, and his PhD in Engineering from Temple University in 2012. He is a registered Professional Engineer in 8 States. Currently Chair of the Land Transportation Division within the Vehicular Technology Society of the IEEE, he lead the 2012 Joint Rail Conference held at Temple University in Philadelphia that presented 150 peer reviewed academic papers from across the globe. David is also a Fellow in the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers and serves as the North American Section Chair. He is currently Sub Committee Chair for Maintenance and Testing on AREMA Committee 24 for Positive Train Control, and a member of Committee 2 (Track Measurement Systems) and 38 (Information, Defect Detection & Energy Systems).

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September 29 – October 2, 2013Indianapolis, IN

PTC Testing for WIUsAREMA has long been involved in standards and recommended practice that increase the efficiency of engineering, construction and maintenance staff. This streamlines signal and communications work through uniform approaches to work flow and material supply. It was logical for AREMA to be involved in areas of PTC for the same purposes.


INTRODUCTION TO COMMITTEE 39 Past “PTC” work produced Interoperable Positive Train Control Recommended Practices based on: 1) Wayside integration and 2) Simplified radio based cab signaling. However, the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 required different requirements for PTC. When PTC was codified by the FRA in 2009, it was apparent that industry resources would be stretched to the limit to meet the December 31, 2015 date.


PTC Testing for WIUsCommittee 39 – Positive Train Control within the Communications and Signals (C&S) Functional Group was formed to provide the resources within AREMA for the creation and maintenance of Manual Parts within the C&S Manual for use by all railways in the United States.


Committee 39

•143 members, •Providing useful manual parts for 3 years. •The committees make up consists of approximately:

•34% railroad employees, •35% from the supply community, and •31% from consultants.

This meets the expectations and guidelines for committee diversity as required by AREMA.


Committee 39 Mission Statement

“The purpose of AREMA Committee 39 is to continually review current and new

technology addressing the installation, testing and maintenance of Positive Train Control wayside equipment and systems and developrecommended "industry practices" with the

overall goal of improving the safety andreliability of train operations.”


Committee 39 is currently organized with elected officers as follows:

Sid Bakker………….ChairmanHarvey Glickenstein..Vice ChairmanJohn Moore…………SecretaryDave Gove………Chair Subcommittee 1 Design and Installation.

Mark Engels.........Chair Subcommittee 2 Configuration Management

David Thurston…Chair Subcommittee 3 Testing and Maintenance

Greg Rogers…….Chair of Subcommittee 4 Communications.

Open…………….Chair of Subcommittee Information Technology.

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Current AREMA Committee 39 Manual PartsManual Part Name24.1.1 Recommended Practices for Incorporating Hand

Throw Switches into Non-signaled Territory – PTC Systems

24.3.1 Recommended Instructions for Test of PTC Wayside Interface Units (WIU) before Placing in Service

24.3.2 Recommended Instructions for End to End Test of PTC WIUs

24.4.1 Recommended Design Guidelines for Maintainer Interface on PTC Communication and Network Equipment



AREMA Manual Parts Reviewed for PTC Applicability

Manual Part Name21.4.1 Recommended Design Criteria for Wayside Communication Surge Protection22.1.1 Recommended Clean Cab Radio Channel

Designators and Railroad Radio Service VHF Frequency Table

22.1.2 Listing of Allocated Frequencies in the Railroad Radio Service

22.2.1 Recommended Design Criteria/Functional Guidelines for Interface of Radio

Communications Module in "Clean Cab" Locomotive


AREMA Manual Parts Reviewed for PTC Applicability

Manual Part Name22.2.2 Recommended Functional/Operating

Guidelines for Remote Control of Engine by Portable Radio

22.2.3 Recommended Design Criteria for Rack Mounted Frequency Modulated Transceiver and Accessories

22.2.4 Recommended Practices for Installation of Digital Data Radio Systems for Wayside Applications


Future AREMA Manual Parts for PTCManual Part Name21.1.3 Recommended Design and Installation

Criteria for Lightning Protection, Grounding, and Equipotential Bonding Systems for Wayside Communication

21.1.4 Recommended Design Criteria for Wayside Communication Surge Protection

24.1.3 Recommended Guidelines for PTC Monitoring of Signals



Future AREMA Manual Parts for PTCManual Part Name24.4.1 Recommended Design Guidelines for

Maintainer Interface on PTC Communication and Network Equipment

24.5.1 Recommended Practices for PTC Systems with Back office Servers

24.5.2 Recommended Practices for Interoffice Extranet

24.5.3 Recommended Practices for Intra Railroad Networking


SUBCOMMITTEE 3 DETAILS MAINTENANCE AND TESTING FOR WIU

• Subcommittee 3 represents testing and maintenance of wayside PTC systems.

• Primarily concerned with Wayside Interface Unit (WIU) that converts the status of wayside signal equipment to a serial message sent to approaching trains.

• Wayside Status Relay Service (WSRS) allows the elimination of the 220 MHz local radio

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PTC Testing for WIUsThe Subcommittee’s approach to testing of WIUs:

• documents created by the Subcommittee are centered on the use of tools that can be used to test the WIUs with a minimum of time or disarrangement of circuits.

• ITC specifications use Ethernet to communicate between the WIU to the Wayside Message Sever (WMS) or communications network allowing the use of laptop computers to interrogate the WIU.


The Subcommittee’s Manual Parts have been updated continuously as more development is completed on the various PTC systems.

PTC Testing for WIUs


Manual Part 24-3-1 for standalone WIU Testing shows the inter-connection of the testing device.



Manual Part 24-3-2 for end to end WIU Test uses an “equipped train” that is defined as a train or device that uses the ITCM network.



This illustrates the application of the testing device to a field WIU on the Metrolink PTC project.



In addition to the Manual Parts mentioned above, Subcommittee 3 is also taking on the review of Chapter 23 Manual Parts (the earlier effort to standardize radio based cab signals), and is developing a PTC related seminar for a future AREMA function.


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The Committee 39 activities in setting industry recommended practice and standards was applied to Positive Train Control in several key areas including design, installation, configuration management, testing, communications, and information technology. As more PTC systems are developed, Committee 39 will continue to address the future needs for Manual Parts for the rail industry.



Thank You


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