Operations Management of Mass Transit Systems in Bogota

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Operations Management of Mass Transit Systems in
Bogota

• High Capacity Rail Modes and their Operational
  Characteristics
• By Bruce G. Moffat
• For Urban Transportation Center
• University of Illinois at Chicago

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Rail Mode Overview

A mode is a system or method for carrying transit
passengers. It is based on the type of
right-of-way, technology, rolling stock, and
other operational features. For urban
applications this typically means either bus or
rail. In major corridors where the existing bus
system is operating at or near capacity, rail
offers the ability to add capacity. Although
capital intensive to construct, rail modes are
well suited to transport large numbers of
passengers over long distances at relatively high
speeds.
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• The most common or traditional rail-based modes
  can be grouped
• Streetcar (tram)
• LRT (Light Rail Transit)
• Rapid Transit/Metro (surface/subway/elevated)
• Commuter/Regional Rail
• Hybrid (a variant combining features from two
  or more mode types)

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Streetcar
Karlsruhe, Germany
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• Streetcar is an electric railway mode that uses
  light-weight rail cars operating as one or two
  car trains.
• Track in street rights of way, normally shared
  with other traffic. Roadway medians and short
  subway segments sometimes used.
• Traffic congestion can impact service
  reliability.
• Traction power normally collected from overhead
  trolley wire.
• Greater capacity and superior performance
  characteristics than local bus. But average speed
  is about the same.
• Best suited for short trips (5 to 8 KM or less)
• Close stop spacing (300 to 500M on average, but
  can be less).
• Loads from street level stops rather than more
  elaborate stations.
• Strong modal identity compared to bus.

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Light Rail Transit
Mannheim, Germany
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• A medium capacity mode. Similar to streetcar but
  with significant physical and performance
  upgrades that place this mode between streetcar
  and rapid transit.
• Greater use of reserved/exclusive rights of way.
  This allows somewhat higher operating speeds.
• Vehicles may be larger and operate in trains of
  up to four cars. Multi-section articulated
  vehicles are commonly used. Crush capacity of
  125-250 persons per vehicle.
• Low level boarding from street stops or stations.
  Some systems use rapid transit-type high level
  platforms to speed passenger flow.
• Greater stop spacing than streetcar (500 to 1000M
  on average).
• Signaling systems frequently used to space trains
  and regulate speed.

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Subway operation in Boston. Streetcar lines
gradually upgraded to incorporate LRT
characteristics.
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Suburban Philadelphia. Upgraded suburban
trolley line.
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Rapid Transit

• Normally grade separated, this mode is known by a
  variety of other names including subway,
  elevated and metro.
• In New York it is the subway.
• In Germany, the U-Bahn.
• In London it is the the Tube or the
  Underground.
• But in Chicago it is the L

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Chicagos Loop Elevated
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• High capacity compared to streetcar, LRT or bus.
  Designed for congested areas having high traffic
  demand. Trains of as many as 6 to 10 cars per
  train.
• Crush capacity per car in the 140-250 person
  range (dependant on car type and interior
  configuration). Peak train capacity can reach
  1,500-2,000.
• High speed (80-100km/h).
• Peak train intervals can be as close as 2-3
  minutes
• Exclusive right of way. Completely grade
  separated from other traffic (elevated, subway,
  at-grade, or a combination).
• Best for passenger trips over longer distances.
• High level platform loaded at stations. Barrier
  fare collection systems are common.
• Manual or automatic train operation.

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Berlin U-Bahn
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Milan, Italy
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For historical reasons, Chicagos rapid transit
system includes at-grade crossings with roadways.
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Commuter Rail

• Also known as Regional Rail in some U.S. cities.

Some systems in the U.S. and many world-wide are
electrified.
Most U.S. commuter rail systems use diesel
locomotives
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San Francisco, California
Miami, Florida (Dade County)
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• Commuter rail systems are considered
  metropolitan-wide services designed for long
  distance home to work trips.
• Less frequent service levels than other modes,
  especially off-peak.
• Maximum speed comparable to rapid transit (80-130
  km/h).
• Stations are spaced at long intervals (1200-4500
  m) compared to rapid transit.
• Trains may be locomotive-hauled or
  self-propelled.
• High capacity (80-150 seated) single or double
  deck cars used. Standees limited.
• Stations may be high or low level. Tickets are
  normally distance-based and sold in multiple-trip
  increments.
• At grade crossings with roads and other railroads
  are common and can lead to some service
  disruptions.

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Hybrids
combine features from multiple modes to meet
local conditions and needs.
Street running in the central city and exclusive
right of way in suburban areas.
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In Karlsruhe, Germany, certain light rail trains
share tracks with the national railroad system
and also use some in-street trackage.
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In Cleveland, Ohio, light rail and rapid transit
trains share tracks and stations to reach the
central area.
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Chicagos rapid transit system used to include
some technology traits more commonly associated
with streetcar and light rail systems.
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After being in operation for more than 60 years,
the tracks were finally grade-separated using an
adjacent railway embankment.
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Operations Management

• Today, a centralized control center is an
  important part of the design and operation of any
  major rail system. The design and operation of
  the rail system should be such that operations
  can continue if communications with the control
  center are lost or disrupted.
• A control centers role is to provide a
  communication link with emergency responders
  (medical, police, fire and company emergency
  personnel). Emergency evacuation coordination is
  part of this.
• Provides assistance to operators (e.g. stranded
  trains).
• Monitors movement of trains on the system.
• Summons assistance (criminal activity, medical
  emergencies, etc.).
• Monitors and controls electrical substations,
  including the removal of power in emergencies.
• Arranges for alternative transportation in the
  event of a major service disruption.

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Chicagos operations control center monitors
train and bus operations, power distribution,
emergency ventilation systems, alarms, and
security systems.
However, a rail system cannot be run exclusively
from an office. On-site operations staff
ensures that field problems are resolved quickly.
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Emergency Evacuation and Response
In the event of a fire, loss of power, or other
emergency that requires a train to be evacuated
away from a station requires that a comprehensive
set of emergency procedures be developed. These
procedures should be designed to allow for an
order and safe evacuation. Equally important is
that the transit infrastructure, particularly
subways, are equipped with emergency telephones,
fire hydrants and any other infrastructure that
may be required due to the lack or convenient
street access.
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• Keep in mind that subways and tunnels are
  confined spaces. As such, care must be taken in
  their design to allow for orderly evacuations and
  easy access by emergency responders.
• At a minimum, subways should be equipped with
• Foot walks leading to emergency exits.
• Signed spaced at regular intervals giving the
  distance to the nearest exit or exits and their
  street coordinates.
• Placement of emergency exits at adequate
  intervals between stations.
• Emergency lighting.
• Ventilation shafts/fans in subways and tunnel
  areas that can be remotely operated.
• Also, fire hydrants and pumps, limited emergency
  medical equipment, telephones, cell phone,
  two-way radio and video surveillance capability.

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Questions?