Advances in Switch Machine Technology: GO Transit’s in Tie Switch Machine Trial

This paper describes the GO Transit system that operates a regional commuter rail service with a primary operations hub at Toronto’s Union Station. GO Transit has recently acquired the 6km long rail corridor adjacent to Union Station, the Union Station Rail Corridor (USRC) and has embarked on a multi-year infrastructure improvements program to upgrade the entire plant within the USRC. As the primary goal of the upgrade project is to overhaul the entire operation and maintenance of the plant, GO Transit is seeking to utilize advances in technology to facilitate efficiencies wherever possible. To this end, GO Transit has commenced an on-site evaluation of In Tie Switch Machines (ITSM), from 6 manufacturers, to determine the reliability, availability, maintainability and operability of ITSM technology within the context of the North American commuter rail environment, prior to the replacement of 250 machines within the USRC. This paper describes the program from concept to implementation, and it discusses the evaluation criteria and will: (1) detail the rationale for ITSM technology within a major commuter rail environment; (2) provide an overview of the evaluation program; (3) detail the preliminary works including interfacing with Transport Canada and the safety approval process required to commence the trial; (4) describe the typical features implemented such as advanced diagnostics; and (5) describe the evaluation experience and criteria, including: (a) installation; (b) testing and commissioning; (c) routine maintenance and testing; and (d) specific testing including tamping.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1931594236
• Corporate Authors:

  American Public Transportation Association

  1666 K Street, NW, Suite 1100
  Washington, DC  United States  20006
• Authors:
  • Leonardo, John
  • Peach, Adrian
  • Peverini, Bert
• Conference:
  • Investing Today for a Brighter Tomorrow. The 2006 Rail Conference
  • Date: 2006-6-11 to 2006-6-14
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 5p
• Monograph Title: Investing Today for a Brighter Tomorrow. Proceedings of the 2006 Rail Conference

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Commuter service; Implementation; Infrastructure; Railroad commuter service; Switches (Railroads); Technological innovations; Transit operating agencies
• Identifier Terms: Toronto Union Station
• Uncontrolled Terms: Switches
• Geographic Terms: Toronto (Canada)
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01033610
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 1931594236
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 29 2006 10:37AM