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Doug Allen presented at the American Public Transportation Association annual rail conference in June 2010. Here's his presentation about the Red Line.
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Capital MetroRail: Successful Launch and Lessons Learned
Doug Allen
Interim President/CEOCapital Metro
Presented at APTA Rail Conference
June 8, 2010
Austin rocks!
• Point 1• Point 2• Point 3• Point 4 • Point 5 or
more
Except when you’re stuck in traffic…
Texas Transportation Institute: Austin Most congested medium size city in America
Express BusCapital MetroRail
Leander -AustinRound Rock/GtownManor/Elgin
Urban RailMuellerUT/Capitol/DowntownABIAMetroRailIntercity Rail
MetroRapid (BRT)Managed HOV LanesIntercity Rail
Austin - San AntonioAustin – Houston
All Systems Go! Long Range Transit Plan
Capital MetroRail Overview of system
Implementation
Lessons learned
Successful launch
Future
The Red Line
Urban commuter rail on existing tracks
32 miles, nine stations, six DMU vehicles
Peak period service on weekdays, 35-minute frequencies
Connector buses to central business district, State Capitol, and University of Texas
Constructed with local funds< $5 million per mile
Capital MetroRail Stations
Leander Station
Lakeline Station
Crestview Station
Plaza Saltillo Station
MLK, Jr. Station
Howard Station
Capital MetroRail system features
Real-time information and security cameras at stations
Ticket Vending Machines
Quiet zones and signal preemption; temporal separation
State of the art CTC system
Capital MetroRail Vehicle: Stadler DMU Type 4
Sleek profileAdvanced crash energy management
Stronger, safer carbody
Self-propelled, Diesel/Electric: all functions powered by electricity
Custom AC system, reflective windows specific to hot Texas climate
Pending: FRA tank cage
Automated Passenger Counters
Security cameras
Wi-Fi
Federal Railroad Administration Waivers and documentation issues
23 issues related to– Vehicle– Plans– Procedures
MetroRail Implementation
Vehicles – early
Facilities – on time
Systems - late
MetroRail Implementation
March 2009 Original Start Date: Postponed
What went wrong?
Systems did not function as intended
Crossing gates
Train detection
Communication delays
CTC logic (dual mode)SYSTEMS INTEGRATION
What was done? Changed project oversight
Established procedures, project management structure, documentation
Conducted Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment
Systematically diagnosed/corrected issues
Implementation and testing
Solving issues
Crossing gates
Train detection
Communication delays
CTC logic
– Signal maintainer expertise – Insulated joints
– Timer adjustments– Shunting management
– Installed radio-based system– Cellular for backup– Dedicated server
– Software changes; freight logic
+
Completing Readiness
Hired new contractor: Herzog Transit Services
- December 2009
Comprehensive line assessment
- January 2010
Corrective actions- January – February 2010
End to end testing- March 2010
FRA inspection, clearance- March 2010
Lessons Learned
Challenges to opening the line stemmed from lack of project organization, expertise and
management, not deficiencies in system concept.
Project Planning
– Define project early– Set adequate budget, schedule– Adjust if necessary– Plan system integration
1LESSON
Organization and Resources
– Avoid “starter system” mentality– Complex systems expertise– Develop partnerships early– Unified command and control (No silos!)
2LESSON
Challenges to opening the line stemmed from lack of project organization, expertise and
management, not deficiencies in system concept.
Project Management
– Establish procedures, controls– Documentation– Oversight, testing (Trust but verify)
3LESSON
Challenges to opening the line stemmed from lack of project organization, expertise and
management, not deficiencies in system concept.
4– Team– Partners– Board– Community– Regulatory agencies
LESSON Communicate
Challenges to opening the line stemmed from lack of project organization, expertise and
management, not deficiencies in system concept.
Successful Launch
March 22: Open for business!
The “War Room”
Capital MetroRail early trends
Crush loads first week – now leveled to ~900 per day
One in 10 riders boards with a bike
Rail connector bus route ridership low
Demand for all-day and weekend service high
On Time Performance: 98%
90% of riders have said they’d recommend it to a friend
MetroRail Next Steps
Next Steps
Fuel tank cage design pending FRA approval
Schedule adjustments, possibly including weekend service
Bike management, marketing plans
Project development on extensions, enhancements
PTC
Capital Metro: doing our part to keep Austin rockin’
Questions?
