MORE RAIL SYSTEM SAFETY CONTRACTS
IDOT POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM
Perhaps you have heard about the FRA approval of the Electronic Train Management System (ETMS). This is an example of a PTC system. HCRQ has significant experience with ETMS's predecessor - the Illinois Department Of Transportation (IDOT) PTC.
The purpose of the IDOT PTC was to prevent:
The current operating time between Chicago and St. Louis is about 5½ hours, and IDOT would have contributed towards reducing this time to about 3½ hours. This reduction in running time requires that the current top speed limit of 79 mph, imposed by the current signal technology, be increased to 110 mph by the application new technology.
The IDOT PTC architecture comprised five major systems. Four of these systems were the information processing systems that included:
The fifth system, and the IDOT PTC keystone, was a data communication system which tied the various information processing systems together.
HCRQ has significant first-hand system safety and software safety analysis experience with Positive Train Control and 49CFR236 Subpart H.
We provided guidance and input on:
The purpose of the IDOT PTC was to prevent:
- train-to-train collisions,
- derailments due to over-speed, and
- collisions between trains and roadway workers or their equipment while working within their authority limits.
The current operating time between Chicago and St. Louis is about 5½ hours, and IDOT would have contributed towards reducing this time to about 3½ hours. This reduction in running time requires that the current top speed limit of 79 mph, imposed by the current signal technology, be increased to 110 mph by the application new technology.
The IDOT PTC architecture comprised five major systems. Four of these systems were the information processing systems that included:
- the IDOT PTC Server,
- locomotive on-board computers and peripherals,
- a track force terminal on board work vehicles, and
- in the field, Wayside Interface Units (WIUs) interfacing with control points, intermediate signal sites, highway crossing warning systems and train defect detectors.
The fifth system, and the IDOT PTC keystone, was a data communication system which tied the various information processing systems together.
HCRQ has significant first-hand system safety and software safety analysis experience with Positive Train Control and 49CFR236 Subpart H.
We provided guidance and input on:
EIC PRT
TTCI is developing an Employee In Charge (EIC) Personal Remote Terminal (PRT).
The EIC PRT is a hand-held portable computer terminal for use by the roadway worker who establishes on-track safety for others in roadway work groups and lone workers who establish their own protection. Its initial functionality will enable an EIC to authorize train entry into and set the speed limit within the Working Limits of Form Bs.
The EIC PRT must comply with 49CFR236 Subpart I.
Due to its experience with the IDOT PTC, and its expertise in system safety and software safety, TTCI retained the services of HCRQ to guide the system safety effort, software safety effort and to assist with the preparation of the project documentation. HCRQ is currently working with TTCI and BNSF on this project.
HCRQ also provided software safety training to the EIC PRT Project Team.
HCRQ has been under contract with TTCI since 2005. It is currently working jointly with TTCI, BNSF and WABTEC on this program.
The EIC PRT is a hand-held portable computer terminal for use by the roadway worker who establishes on-track safety for others in roadway work groups and lone workers who establish their own protection. Its initial functionality will enable an EIC to authorize train entry into and set the speed limit within the Working Limits of Form Bs.
The EIC PRT must comply with 49CFR236 Subpart I.
Due to its experience with the IDOT PTC, and its expertise in system safety and software safety, TTCI retained the services of HCRQ to guide the system safety effort, software safety effort and to assist with the preparation of the project documentation. HCRQ is currently working with TTCI and BNSF on this project.
HCRQ also provided software safety training to the EIC PRT Project Team.
HCRQ has been under contract with TTCI since 2005. It is currently working jointly with TTCI, BNSF and WABTEC on this program.
ACELA TILTING SYSTEM
Bombardier Transportation Systems and GEC Alstom provided 18 trainsets that traverse the Washington, D.C. - New York City - Boston route at speeds up to 150 mph (240 km/h).
The Acela uses a tilting system. Tilting the body of a rail passenger car during curve negotiation offers the possibility of increasing the speed of a trainset in a curve without exceeding the maximum allowed steady state lateral acceleration felt by the passengers. Typically, the centrifugal acceleration must be lower than 1 m/sec/sec. This feature reduces the overall travelling time without requiring track modification.
We provided consulting assistance in connection with the safety of the tilting system.
The Acela uses a tilting system. Tilting the body of a rail passenger car during curve negotiation offers the possibility of increasing the speed of a trainset in a curve without exceeding the maximum allowed steady state lateral acceleration felt by the passengers. Typically, the centrifugal acceleration must be lower than 1 m/sec/sec. This feature reduces the overall travelling time without requiring track modification.
We provided consulting assistance in connection with the safety of the tilting system.
CANAC BELTPACK SYSTEM
HCRQ was responsible for consulting on system safety and software safety of the CANAC Remove Control Locomotive (RCL) system which allows ground-based yard employees to control a locomotive equipped with an on-board computer via a RF link.
HCRQ was also responsible for planning and estimating the effort required to obtain CENELEC EN 50126, EN 50128, and EN 50129 rail standards compliance.
HCRQ was also responsible for planning and estimating the effort required to obtain CENELEC EN 50126, EN 50128, and EN 50129 rail standards compliance.
TRIANGLE TRANSIT AUTHORITY (TTA) REGIONAL RAIL PROJECT
HCRQ provided advice on system safety analysis, reliability analysis maintainability analysis, fire & smoke analysis, and software.
CATTRON-THEIMEG RCL-II SYSTEM
HCRQ was responsible for consulting on system safety and software safety of Cattron's RCL-II RCL system.