Annual Business Meeting�Transportation Research Board�Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems�AP065

Tuesday, January 10, 2023�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. TRB Group Activities and Updates
3. Transit Cooperative Research Program
4. Old Business (Meeting Minutes)
5. State of the Industry
6. Subcommittee Reports
7. Research Received and Reviewed
8. New Business
9. Presentations and Discussion
10. Adjournment

​

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Annual Business Meeting�Transportation Research Board�Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems�AP065

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. TRB Group Activities and Updates
3. Transit Cooperative Research Program
4. Old Business (Meeting Minutes)
5. State of the Industry
6. Subcommittee Reports
7. Research Received and Reviewed
8. New Business
9. Presentations and Discussion
10. Adjournment

​

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

TRB Group Activities and Updates

New Chair of Public Transportation Group

Thomas R. Hickey – Jacobs Engineering

New Chair of Urban Rail Transit Systems

Shi (Shelley) Xie – Sound Transit

Committee Size and Triennial Rotation

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Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. TRB Group Activities and Updates
3. Transit Cooperative Research Program
4. Old Business (Meeting Minutes)
5. State of the Industry
6. Subcommittee Reports
7. Research Received and Reviewed
8. New Business
9. Presentations and Discussion
10. Adjournment

​

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. TRB Group Activities and Updates
3. Transit Cooperative Research Program
4. Old Business (Meeting Minutes)
5. State of the Industry
6. Subcommittee Reports
7. Research Received and Reviewed
8. New Business
9. Presentations and Discussion
10. Adjournment

​

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Update

(1) Available TCRP publications; (2) new FY 2023 projects—panel nominations due Friday, February 3, 2023; (3) RFPs for proposals due Tuesday, January 31, 2023; (4) upcoming and recent webinars; and (5) request for submission of new problem statements due June 16, 2023

January 2023 TRB Annual Meeting

JANUARY 2023

17 Slide Deck with Links available upon Request

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. TRB Group Activities and Updates
3. Transit Cooperative Research Program
4. Old Business (Meeting Minutes)
5. State of the Industry
6. Subcommittee Reports
7. Research Received and Reviewed
8. New Business
9. Presentations and Discussion
10. Adjournment

​

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. TRB Group Activities and Updates
3. Transit Cooperative Research Program
4. Old Business (Meeting Minutes)
5. State of the Industry
6. Subcommittee Reports
7. Research Received and Reviewed
8. New Business
9. Presentations and Discussion
10. Adjournment

​

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

US Transit Ridership: �Impacts of COVID and Work from Home

30 months after the outbreak of the pandemic US Transit ridership is roughly 2/3rds of former levels.

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If current trends continue, full recovery will require another 30 to 60 months.

But it remains unclear if ridership will ever fully rebound.

Source: FTA National Transit Database October 2022

Prepared by david.nelson@jacobs.com

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. TRB Group Activities and Updates
3. Transit Cooperative Research Program
4. Old Business (Meeting Minutes)
5. State of the Industry
6. Subcommittee Reports
7. Research Received and Reviewed
8. New Business
9. Presentations and Discussion
10. Adjournment

​

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Subcommittees

1. Shared Corridors – Bruce Cardon
2. DMUs & Related Rail Technologies – Martin Green
3. Commuter Rail – David Nelson
4. International Rail Urban Transit – Bruce Walbrun

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Commuter Rail�The Road to Recovery: �Legacy Systems

Legacy Systems are Bouncing Back

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• Boston and NY at 60+% of April 2019

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• Other Legacy Systems at or below 50%

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Slide 16

Commuter Rail

Commuter Rail�The Road to Recovery: �New Start Systems

Impact is more Uneven

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Denver, Miami, Utah, SMART,

• Hit least,
• Now 70+% of April 2019

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More traditional commuter services

• Hit harder,
• <40% of April 2019

​

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Slide 17

Commuter Rail

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. TRB Group Activities and Updates
3. Transit Cooperative Research Program
4. Old Business (Meeting Minutes)
5. State of the Industry
6. Subcommittee Reports
7. Research Received and Reviewed
8. New Business
9. Presentations and Discussion
10. Adjournment

​

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. TRB Group Activities and Updates
3. Transit Cooperative Research Program
4. Old Business (Meeting Minutes)
5. State of the Industry
6. Subcommittee Reports
7. Research Received and Reviewed
8. New Business
9. Presentations and Discussion
10. Adjournment

​

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Research is Our Middle Name

1. Papers Received, Reviewed and Presented
2. Calls for Papers
3. Research Needs Statements

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. TRB Group Activities and Updates
3. Transit Cooperative Research Program
4. Old Business (Meeting Minutes)
5. State of the Industry
6. Subcommittee Reports
7. Research Received and Reviewed
8. New Business
9. Presentations and Discussion
10. Adjournment

​

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

What’s New?

1. Ridership Impacts of Work from Home
2. Service Responses to New Normal
3. State of Good Repair
4. What Else?�

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. TRB Group Activities and Updates
3. Transit Cooperative Research Program
4. Old Business (Meeting Minutes)
5. State of the Industry
6. Subcommittee Reports
7. Research Received and Reviewed
8. New Business
9. Presentations and Discussion
10. Adjournment

​

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

PRESENTATION 1

POSNER

Henry Posner III, Chairman

Railroad Development Corporation

www.rrdc.com

Transportation Research Board 102^nd Annual Meeting� AP065 Urban Rail Transit Systems Committee

January 2023

Agenda

1. Background on RDC
2. Rail Freight Industry Perspectives
3. Pop-Up Metro Kit
4. Pop-Up Metro Applications

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

• Family-owned railway investment and management company based in Pittsburgh, PA
• “Partner of Choice” in railways and rail-related businesses
• Philosophy: �Safety > Quality > Growth > Profitability
• Goal of becoming Most Respected in our markets

IOWA�INTERSTATE RAILROAD

• Class II freight railroad operating between Chicago IL and Council Bluffs IA with branch to Peoria IL: �connects with all 7 Class I railroads
• SAFETY: Delta Airlines reference peer
• Industrial Development: Ethanol, Biofuels, Wind Energy, Intermodal Initiatives
• Partnership: iCON Infrastructure since December 2020
• Community Service: fire dept. benefit steam trips

PERU:

FERROCARRIL �CENTRAL ANDINO

• Industry model for safety; no injuries 2018, 2021
• 489 km (305 mi) single-track standard gauge railroad from Port of Callao and Lima to Huancayo and Cerro de Pasco
• Highest railway in the Americas, second highest in the world; 4,818 meters (15,807 ft/3 mi) above sea level
• Railway Wonder of the World: 68 tunnels, 61 bridges, 9 switchbacks
• Completely rebuilt 286,000 GWOR corridor featuring CWR, concrete ties, strengthened bridges and central dispatch/control center
• A multi-year track record of delivering sustained growth in tonnage, efficiency, and revenue

FRANCE / BELGIUM: RegioRail / Eurorail

30

RegioRail

• First kilometer/last kilometer, wagonload traffic, national coverage in France
• Clients include Danone (Evian), Nestlé (Perrier), Lafarge, Eiffage, Michelin

Eurorail

• Logistics specialist based in Belgium
• 5 rail-served warehouses, connecting France, Italy and Spanish border with global networks

GERMANY:

RDC Deutschland holds interests in:

BahnTouristikExpress (BTE)

• AutoReiseZug: night auto train service between Hamburg and Lörrach (near Basel) – like Amtrak Auto Train
• Provider of rolling stock for the European night train renaissance
• Operator of Thunderbird services such as Ukrainian refugee trains
• New turnkey offering for Swedish Rail (SJ)

AUTOZUG Sylt

• First privately-owned railway company to transport passengers in their vehicles to the island of Sylt. Trucks added in 2019.
• Recent investments: new trainsets, locomotives
• Terminal upgrades for an enhanced customer experience completed in 2019
• Operator of NachtExpress seasonal night train between Sylt and points in southern Germany and western Austria

UK: Vivarail COP 26�November 2021

• First battery-electric train to cross the iconic Firth of Forth bridge
• Ran daily trips to and from Glasgow Central Station as part of the official�Network Rail Green Trains@COP26 event
• Honored guests included HRH Prince Charles and Prime Minister Boris Johnson

��United Kingdom /� USA

• Railcar manufacturing company based in Southam
• Modular power: diesel, battery, hybrid, 3^rd rail, hydrogen…
• Mainline product in the UK: West Midlands, Wales, Isle of Wight, Greenford
• Financial restructuring in process
• For the USA: - Later in Presentation!

Key Issues today

• Misaligned Objectives (!)
• Lack of freight understanding by public sponsors
• Impact on current and future freight customers
• Public funding focus on Capex, not Opex
• Massive capital requirements for new starts
• Very long development cycles that suck up resources
• Freight rail perception of strings & political pressure
• Minimal incentive to host railroads
• Liability risks

​

​

​

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A Quick Look at BNSF’s Passenger Principles

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

A Quick Look at BNSF’s Passenger Principles - continued

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

APPLICATIONS IN THE USA: �Pop-Up Metro

• Maximize utility of existing light-density freight lines
• For less than the cost of a consultant study…
• Test and evaluate the operation and market…
• Jump-start the development of commuter rail corridors

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

The Pop-Up Metro Kit

1. Trains & Turnkey Maintenance
2. Charging Infrastructure
3. Temporary ADA Compliant Modular Platforms
4. Temporal Separation protcols under FRA guidelines

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

• POP – UP METRO STARTER KIT | TRAINS

Two Vivarail Class 230 battery trains are currently located at Rockhill Furnace, PA for demonstration

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

POP-UP METRO STARTER KIT: CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE

• Automatic Charging Point enables easy installation of battery trains
• Trackside electronic control unit to recharges the batteries
• All components are modular for mobilization to each site

POP – UP METRO KIT • CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

• UK Set Up: Connecting to main line at UK“Rail Live” infrastructure show

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• US Demonstration Site: in Rockhill Furnace, PA at the East Broad Top RR

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Upcoming Pop-Up Metro Demo Dates: February ___, 2023

POP – UP METRO KITS • ADA COMPLIANT PLATFORMS

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

POP-UP Metro: �demonstrations

• Pop-Up Metro commenced demonstration operations in Rockhill, PA in August 2021
• Pop-Up Metro can now demonstrate the potential to bring mobility solutions to communities that combine:
• Mobility challenges such as traffic congestion
• Willing host railroads interested in increasing the value of light-density freight lines
• Local sponsors in the public, non-profit, or private sectors
• Non-traditional opportunities such as linking mobility with real estate development

​

42

POP-UP Metro:�PILOT PROJECTS UNDER CONSIDERATION

West Chester, Pennsylvania

• West Chester to Wawa for Philadelphia connection
• Former SEPTA electrified service, abandoned mid-80’s
• Sponsor = Local advocacy group
• Supporters = Investors and private Real Estate Developers

​

Other Sample Locations

• California – market test on light density freight and passenger lines in smaller urban areas
• New Jersey – substitution/supplement existing services

​

TEMPORAL SEPARATION: SAMPLE OPERATIONS

Source:FRA Shared UseWaviers

POP – UP METRO KITS • TEMPORAL SEPARATION OPERATIONS

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

1. Private sector led collaboration
2. Focus on Light Density | Freight Lines & Passenger Rail
3. Grow host railroad revenue and margins
4. Open new short haul passenger markets
5. Lease public sponsor rolling stock, maintain control

​

A PRIVATE SECTOR ALTERNATIVE

• Change vocabulary from “Protection” to “Incentive”
• Focus on low density freight corridors, shuttles, limited length of haul
• Provide public sponsor a Turnkey Kit
• Remuneration as lease / user fee
• Temporal separation without harming freight
• Manage risks and liability
• New source of revenue & margins for freight rail

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LIGHT METRO AS A SERVICE (LMAAS)

THANK YOU!

Henry Posner III

Chairman

hposneriii@rrdc.com

412-928-7704

Railroad Development Corp.

535 Smithfield Street

Suite 960

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

www.rrdc.com

Nate Asplund

President, Pop-Up Metro

nasplund@rrdc.com

412-928-7704

PRESENTATION 1

Pop Up Metro

Discussion and Research Implications

PRESENTATION 2

HOLTON

SEPTA Reimagining Regional Rail Scenario Planning

1.10.2023 TRB AP065 Urban Rail Transit Systems Committee�Jody Holton, Chief Planning & Strategy Officer

Reimagining Regional Rail is working toward a vision of how Regional Rail can be reimagined to fit into a lifestyle transit network of services and will identify the infrastructure, equipment, operations, and policies needed to get there.

We are here!

Phase 1 Outreach Setting Goals

Fall/Winter 2021/2022

What is your vision for the future of Regional Rail?

Phase 2 Outreach Evaluating Choices

Spring/Summer 2022

How do we balance choices and tradeoffs between scenarios?

Summer/Fall 2022

Phase 3 Outreach Setting the Vision

Did we capture your thoughts correctly in the proposal?

SEPTA used the input to develop

scenarios that

meet these goals

After getting public input,

a scenario will be selected

and developed

SEPTA will take action and adopt the scenario after public input

38

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

We set project goals based on what we heard from our outreach

​

​

​

Increase and improve access to opportunity

​

​

Prioritize an intuitive rider experience through a seamless, welcoming system

​

​

Create a reliable, predictable Regional Rail system that people can trust

TO TRAIN

ON TIME

3

9

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

We learned from our outreach that the most important changes we could make to Regional Rail were integration and frequency.

0%

20%

40%

100%

be made easier to understand

be affordable

serve more communities be fully accessible and safe

be integrated with other modes

be part of the overall regional transit system

​

have more frequent service

What is most important for the future of Regional Rail?

Regional Rail should....

Most Important

Least Important

4

0

60% 80%

​

Frequency is the most important thing to those who responded to the survey.

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

And set up three scenarios that meet those goals in different ways

Scenario 2: Metro Frequency

High-frequency SEPTA Metro style service where demand is highest

Scenario 1: Regional Coverage

30-minute all-day service everywhere

Scenario 3: All Day Speed

All-day express service better integrated with Amtrak

4

1

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

These scenarios involve tradeoffs – they are good at different things

4

2

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Scenario 1: Regional Coverage provides 30-minute service everywhere across the system

Benefits

• Provides consistent service in both directions all-day

Tradeoffs

• Doesn’t focus on offering frequent service
• Doesn’t operate off- peak express service, so

midday travel times are not competitive with driving

4

4

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Scenario 2: Metro Frequency provides frequent service where ridership and demand support it

Benefits

• Reliable frequent service in the core
• Frequent service in both directions, all day in the inner parts of the system

4

6

Tradeoffs

• Less frequent service in the outer parts of the system
• Doesn’t operate off- peak express service, so

midday travel times are not competitive with driving

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Scenario 3: �All Day Speed provides express service all day

Benefits

• Some stops with frequent express to downtown all day
• Minimizes duplicative rail service between service providers

Tradeoffs

• Less frequent service on much of the network

4

8

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

The different service patterns in the scenarios also change other things like stations and platforms, train equipment, and fares

4

9

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

All our scenarios offer improvements when compared to the existing system

• Increase in share of BIPOC, low-income, and residents who don’t own a car who ride the system
• Reduction in vehicle miles traveled
• Better access to destinations
• Lower transit travel times
• Better accessibility
• Improved reliability
• Easier to understand

5

0

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Each scenario provides more riders more service than the current Regional Rail system does

Total increase in ridership (systemwide, % from existing):

Scenario 1: Regional Coverage

Scenario 2: Metro Frequency

5

1 Scenario 3: All Day Speed

Existing System

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Each scenario provides more service where demand justifies it

Population within 15 minute walk of frequent service stations:

Scenario 1: Regional Coverage

Scenario 2: Metro Frequency

5

2 Scenario 3: All Day Speed

Existing System

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Each scenario reduces cost-burden, especially in low-income communities

Average fare reduction for trips coming from low-income communities (compared to existing fares):

Scenario 1: Regional Coverage

Scenario 2: Metro Frequency

5

3 Scenario 3: All Day Speed

Existing System

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

We are here!

Phase 1 Outreach Setting Goals

Fall/Winter 2021/2022

What is your vision for the future of Regional Rail?

Phase 2 Outreach Evaluating Choices

Spring/Summer 2022

How do we balance choices and tradeoffs between scenarios?

Summer/Fall 2022

Phase 3 Outreach Setting the Vision

Did we capture your thoughts correctly in the proposal?

SEPTA used the input to develop

scenarios that

meet these goals

After getting public input,

a scenario will be selected

and developed

SEPTA will take action and adopt the scenario after public input

54

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

PRESENTATION 2

SEPTA NEW Regional Rail

Discussion and Research Implications

PRESENTATION 2

NELSON

Self Drive Metros: �Benefits, Obstacles, Conversions and New Paradigms

David O. Nelson, Senior Consultant, Jacobs Engineering, Boston Massachusetts

david.nelson@jacobs.com +1 978 360 0449

102^nd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board

Presentation to Urban Rail Transit Systems Committee AP065

Tuesday, January 10 6:00 PM- 7:30 PM ET

Marriott Marquis, Treasury (M4) Marriott Marquis Hotel Washington DC

Agenda

Unattended Train Operations

Benefits

Obstacles

Conversions

New Paradigms

​

Page 70

Introduction: Unattended Train Operation

Unattended Train Operation

Operates like an Airport Shuttle Train

Modern technologies automatically control train functions, including:

• propulsion,
• brakes,
• doors and
• train spacing.

Automated barriers and/or sophisticated intrusion detection systems prevent passengers and trespassers from entering the train’s guideway space

.

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Page 71

Introduction: 40 years of exponential growth

Since 1983: 40 years of remarkable progress for automated urban passenger rail systems

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• No onboard staff
• 64+ lines in 42 cities
• Providing general public transit service with high capacity (100+ passenger) trains.

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Page 72

Pioneers of Automated Operations

The first modern driverless trains ran between Times Square and Grand Central Station from January 1962 until April 1964

David O. Nelson

English Conversation:

Topics in Transport Operations and Management

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Page 73

Pioneers of Automated Operations

West Virginia University opened a fully automated system in 1975

​

This system is still operating 48 years later.

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Page 74

Pioneers of Automated Operations

Low volume systems eventually built in:

• Miami
• Detroit
• Jacksonville

1974 Downtown People Mover Program

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Page 75

US Airport People Movers

Tampa (1971)

Today

• 24 US airport systems
• 12 European systems starting in 1987.
• 8 Asian systems starting in 1990.

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Page 76

Pioneers in Automated Operations

The newest US Metros including lines in

• Philadelphia (1969)
• San Francisco (1972)
• Washington DC (1976)
• Atlanta (1979)
• Miami (1984)

employ many (or most) of the technological building blocks necessary for driverless operation

but all employ operators on every train.

​

David O. Nelson

English Conversation:

Topics in Transport Operations and Management

​

​

Page 77

The rest of the world wasn’t standing still

1983: First Full Scale Automated Metro opens in Lille

• 45 route kilometers (28 miles)
• 60 stations
• 270,000 weekday riders.

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Page 78

Today: 64+ UTO lines in 42+ cities.

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Page 79

Source: Ramon Malla Atlas of Automated Metros 2013

• UTO Metros are no longer an exotic innovation. �������They are integral to the worldwide public transport landscape.

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Page 80

Agenda

Introduction

Unattended Train Operations

Benefits

Obstacles

Conversions

New Paradigms

​

Page 81

Benefits of UTO Operations

• Lower staffing costs.
• Shorter headways and passenger waiting times
• Shorter dwell times
• More reliable and robust operation
• High levels of safety and security
• Elimination of boring but stressful jobs
• Greater service flexibility
• Greater capacity and passenger space
• Smaller vehicle fleets.

​

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Page 82

Agenda

Introduction

Unattended Train Operations

Benefits

Obstacles

Conversions

New Paradigms

​

Page 83

Obstacles facing UTO Metro Operations

• Safety concerns
• Workforce acceptance
• Guideway intrusions and door operations
• Staffing for unattended operation

​

​

Page 84

Agenda

Introduction

Unattended Train Operations

Benefits

Obstacles

Conversions

New Paradigms

​

Page 85

Conversions: European Pioneers

• Conversions prepared under traffic
• Converting systems operate with a mix of cars with and without operators
• Biggest visible change is Platform Screen Doors

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Page 86

Conversions: Low Hanging American Fruit

The newest US Metros including lines in

• Philadelphia (1969)
• San Francisco (1972)
• Washington DC (1976)
• Atlanta (1979)
• Miami (1984)

employ many (or most) of the technological building blocks necessary for driverless operation

David O. Nelson

English Conversation:

Topics in Transport Operations and Management

​

​

Page 87

Agenda

Introduction

Unattended Train Operations

Benefits

Obstacles

Conversions

New Paradigms

​

Page 88

Self Driving Cars

• First demonstrations in the mid-80s
• Massive improvements in computing power, artificial intelligence, data communication, geospatial reckoning and the collision avoidance technologies have yielded results.
• As of 2015, five states allowed the testing of automated cars with a pilot driver on public roads.
• In 2020, testing with no pilot driver is underway in CA & AZ

​

• Regulatory and public acceptance challenges still exist

Diesel Multiple Units in 21st Century America: A Comparative Survey and Evaluation

David O. Nelson, Tara Blakey and Kay O’Neil

​

Slide 89

Autonomous Shuttles and Robot Taxis

Taxis and shuttle vans will be first widespread application for self-driving automobiles.

1. Simplified Navigation: Narrower geography and defined routes
2. Economies of Scale: Higher utilization defrays expense
3. Efficiency: Robot taxi drivers don’t need to get paid
4. Market Acceptance: Consumers will be more willing to invest in a self-driving car for their home after they’ve had positive experiences with a self-driving jitney or cab.

​

Slide 90

Large Market for Autonomous LRVs

• Worldwide 428 cities have light rail or streetcar systems
• 68% in Europe and Russia, 16% in Asia, 9% in USA
• As the US has worked on self-driving cars……….
• Europeans have used the same tool kit to LRVs.
• Well publicized demonstrations and investments
• 2018 Potsdam
• 2018 Zhuzhou
• 2019 Moscow
• 2020 Potsdam
• 2020 Shanghai

​

Slide 91

Moscow Test Train: Forbes

UTO versus Autonomous Train

• Central Control
• Sophisticated Controller
• “Dumb” Train
• Big Infrastructure & Car Investment
• Hard-coded decision rules

Artificially Intelligent Train

• Local Control
• Passive Controller
• “Smart” Train
• Uses Existing Cars and Infrastructure
• Artificial Intelligence

​

Slide 92

UTO Metro Rail

​

1. AI learns the route by riding with human operators
2. AI backstops the humans with safety overrides
3. AI takes over when its ready

Concluding Remarks

1. Among the 54 nations with rapid transit Metro lines, the United States has the oldest and second longest network of route miles.
2. UTO for rapid transit operations in large and medium sized cities has gained wide acceptance around the world
3. UTO provides numerous benefits in service delivery, safety and economic efficiency.
4. As US transit officials consider new Metros and overhauls to legacy lines, the prospect of UTO for those lines should not be discounted or overlooked.
5. Artificial Intelligence has the potential to greatly simplify conversion of legacy lines

​

Page 93

PRESENTATION 2

Self Driving Metros

Discussion and Research Implications

Research is Our Middle Name

1. Papers Received, Reviewed and Presented
2. Calls for Papers
3. Research Needs Statements

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. TRB Group Activities and Updates
3. Transit Cooperative Research Program
4. Old Business (Meeting Minutes)
5. State of the Industry
6. Subcommittee Reports
7. Research Received and Reviewed
8. New Business
9. Presentations and Discussion
10. Adjournment

​

Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems (AP065)�T. R. Hickey, Presiding

Annual Business Meeting�Transportation Research Board�Standing Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems�AP065

Tuesday, January 10, 2023�T. R. Hickey, Presiding