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| Re: TA is obsessed with CBTC, and ''New'' tech for no reason. (579452) | |||
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Re: TA is obsessed with CBTC, and ''New'' tech for no reason. |
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Posted by trainsarefun on Sun Mar 2 13:31:21 2008, in response to Re: TA is obsessed with CBTC, and ''New'' tech for no reason., posted by Wado MP73 on Sun Mar 2 13:19:25 2008. Thanks for the report.Whatever happened, LIRR changed direction drastically. Here's a big line, on my reading from the former LIRR President's address, The role of CBTC on the LIRR can be summarized very simply: It is our intention that CBTC will be installed exclusively on the entire railroad. It is apparent that commitment to CBTC must be an "all-or-nothing" proposition in the long run. The realities of economics are such that no property will be able to support what amounts to two distinct signal systems. Meanwhile compare to this from the Sept. 2007 Nelson Report, It appears that LIRR lost several years in its signal upgrade program during the 1990’s when there was a flirtation with “Communication Based Train Control,” an untested technology in heavy rail at that time. A cursory review of the capital program reveals very little concern with replacing or upgrading the system until the current program. I noted that C & S had requested $57.8 million in each capital program to date for State of Good Repair. In the 200509 program they received only $5.4 million! That amount for SGR of the existing system was included in the overall level of about $200 million for new systems; the CTC program and related signal upgrade projects. The recently completed new color-light system installed between Patchogue and Speonk should be the way of the future for modernizing the LIRR Signal System. A modern, color-light, solid-state system without wayside signals (except at interlockings) and cab signals is an efficient, proven and very safe system. That installation was designed, wired, constructed and installed with inhouse forces and took six (6) years. It was a “very bad experience” according to the ACEC & S. The next segment, Babylon to Patchogue, will utilize outside vendors for design, CIL manufacture, wiring and setup. The railroad will handle the grade crossing work, hot connections to the railroad’s operating system and final testing. I certainly agree with that approach. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, especially where technological advances come almost daily. Learn from the experiences of others and avoid the risks of being too far out in front. It will save time, energy and money. The Patchogue-Babylon signal project is only half funded. It is a $50 million project already cut to about $25 million, and reportedly in jeopardy to be reduced again. I would strongly urge the railroad to fully fund this project now. The signal system is the nerve system of the railroad operation and has been neglected too long. This project could, and should, be accomplished in 3 years with assured funding. |
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