Taking stock of rolling stock: rail transit professionals in APTA's Rolling Stock Equipment Technical Forum are helping to address vehicle design, procurement, operations, and maintenance issues - American Public Transportation Association - Brief Article

Railway Age, Sept, 2002 by Paul J. Messina

The American Public Transportation Association helps public transportation rail professionals keep abreast of changes within the vehicle side of the industry through the volunteer efforts of its Rolling Stock Equipment Technical Forum (RSETF).

RSETF's mission is to assist the rail transportation industry in addressing issues related to the design, procurement, maintenance and operation of vehicles; enhance communication and the sharing of experiences, knowledge, and ideas through conferences and publication; identify R&D funding resources; and serve as a technical and informational resource on safety, ADA compliance, design standards, and advanced technologies. Our APTA staff advisor is Senior Project Manager-Rail Programs David Phelps

We have worked to develop individual technical specification rosters for rapid transit cars, commuter rail equipment, and light rail vehicles. Starting in 1993 with the Roster of North American Rapid Transit Cars, we broke a railcar down into 345 specific items, under the following categories: general information; overall technical specifications; performance characteristics; carbody; friction braking system; truck and suspension system; coupler and draft gear; propulsion; miscellaneous electrical equipment; train control/operational; lighting; doors; communications equipment; HVAC; and passenger amenities. Fourteen U.S. and Canadian operators had their car classes listed in the roster, which was published by APTA. We are planning to update it in the near future.

In 2001, a Commuter Rail Vehicle Roster was published, listing the technical specifications of railcars and locomotives for 18 properties. This comprehensive manual gives over 500 pages of detailed equipment information, and is also available from APTA on a CD-ROM.

In 2001, we developed preliminary databases for LRVs. Presently, members of the RSETF and APTA's Light Rail Transit Forum are finalizing them. We welcome input from LRV manufacturers, operators, and others who would like to participate, as we hope to publish a Light Rail Vehicle Technical Specifications Roster in 2003.

During APTA's 2002 Commuter Rail/Rail Transit Conference, the RSETF sponsored three technical sessions in which 11 papers were presented. Highlights included papers on advanced technology car designs and the implementation of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) vehicle standards, multi-modal operations, design and operational safety, track brake technology, FRA-compliant diesel multiple-unit vehicles, and high speed turbine-electric locomotives. RSETF members have also been involved in the development of technologies that will promote the development of high speed passenger corridors.

Vehicle design and operational safety are of paramount importance. Several members have been involved in APTA's PRESS (Passenger Rail Equipment Safety Standards) Task Force. This year, we addressed fire safety on rail vehicles, which in this post-9/11 environment is of considerable concern to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The RSETF has been working with transit agencies as they bring their vehicles into compliance with ADA between-car barrier requirements of 49CFR38. A special task force is now engaged in educating agencies about specific ADA requirements and their technical applicability to vehicles with high-platform-level boarding and problems associated with installation of between-car barriers.

RSETF members are also involved in the standardization and implementation of new technologies, including microprocessor controls, CBTC, and LonWorks aboard rail vehicles. We will be monitoring the performance of new microprocessor controlled door systems in the field. An analysis of doors will focus upon problems related to wear and tear. This will include temperature extremes, vibration, dirt, and other environmental variables, and their effects upon door component operational reliability and safety. Operators, equipment suppliers, and manufacturers will be consulted

Wheel/rail interface is another area of importance to the industry. RSETF members are preparing field work in this area. Wheel flange and tread wear, rail wear, wheel profiles, and track lubrication are all variables that will be studied. A technical paper is planned for the 2003 APTA Rail Transit Conference, which will take place June 8-12 in San Jose, Calif.

The following consultants, suppliers, and operators participate in the RSETF. Their invaluable efforts have made our Forum a success:

Booz Allen Hamilton, DMJM Harris, Earth Tech, Gannett Flemming, Jas-TEC, Jacobs Civil, Lea Elliott, LTK Engineering Services, T.Y. Lin International, Parsons Brinckerh off Quade and Douglas, PB Transit and Rail Systems, Raul V. Bravo and Associates, Washington Infrastructure Services, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Nickel Development Institute, Alstom Transport, Bombardier Transportation, Electro-Motive Division of GM, Safetran Systems, Siemens Transportation Systems, Voith Turbo, Wabtec, Maryland Transit Administration, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Miami-Dade Transit, MTA New York City Transit, New Jersey Transit, Niagara Frontier Transit Metro Systems, Port Authority Trans-Hudson, and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.