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Metra BNSF Line schedule change for PTC (eff. June 2018)


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#1 CNJRoss

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Posted 20 March 2018 - 07:35 AM

WLS-AM Chicago, IL:

 
Changes To Metra BNSF Line Coming
Mar 20, 2018

 

(CHICAGO) Metra’s BNSF line will be the first to get Positive Train Control, but as part of the deal to make it work correctly, Metra says more time is needed between train runs.

 

So, Metra has put out a revised schedule for public review an comment. It can be found on Metra’s website.

 

Metra says a “significant revision of the line’s schedule” will start this summer, likely in June or July.

 

Continue here.

 

Related:  Metra: PTC Implementation - by end of 2019?

 



#2 CNJRoss

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Posted 20 March 2018 - 07:41 AM

Metra news release:

 

New safety system prompts revision of BNSF schedule

 

 
(March 19, 2018) - Metra’s busiest line, the BNSF Line between Aurora and Chicago Union Station, will be the first Metra line to have the new Positive Train Control (PTC) safety system fully operational – but the enhancement will require a significant revision of the line’s schedule starting this summer.

 

Metra and BNSF Railway today unveiled the proposed weekday schedule revision (also available on trains and at Chicago Union Station this week) and asked for public comment. Feedback will be accepted at BNSFservice2018@metrarr.com until April 15. Metra may revise the proposal based on feedback, with a goal of implementing the new schedule in June or July.

 

Watch the video below for an explanation about why Positive Train Control will impact schedules, starting with the BNSF Line:

 

 

For another video explaining Positive Train Control and the challenges to implement it, click here.

 

In addition to adjusting the schedule for PTC, Metra and BNSF Railway are proposing other changes to relieve overcrowding on some of the busiest trains, match the schedule to actual operating conditions and reduce bunching at a choke point near Cicero. As a result, there will be numerous minor changes to the total running times and the station stop patterns of trains. There will be no changes to weekend trains at this time.

 

PTC is a federally mandated safety system that will automatically stop a train if the engineer fails to obey a signal or exceeds the speed limit. The system integrates GPS, trackside sensors and communications units, onboard computers and Metra’s centralized train dispatching system. Together, these components track trains and monitor the crew’s compliance with speed restrictions and signals. Although it can’t prevent all accidents, PTC increases safety by preventing train-to-train collisions, unauthorized entry into work zones and derailments due to speeding or moving through misaligned track switches.

 

Under PTC, the crew of a train must initialize the system before each individual run. This includes entering information about the size and makeup of the train (because its weight affects its stopping distance) and any other details about conditions along the route (such as work zones or speed restrictions) that could affect the safe operation of the train. The initialization process is expected to take about six minutes.

 

On the current BNSF schedule there are about 30 instances in which a train completes a run and turns around to start a new one in less than 10 minutes, typically at the ends of the line but occasionally mid-route. In those 10 minutes, the engineer must move from the cab car to the locomotive or vice versa, and the crew must clear the train, perform a brake test and conduct a job briefing. With the added task of initializing the PTC system, these “flips” are expected to take 12 to 15 minutes, so the schedule of many trains must be adjusted for increased turn times, and those changes, in turn, will affect nearly all other trains on the schedule.

 

Similar changes will be needed on other lines with tight flips as PTC is implemented.

 

PTC systems have three main components: onboard computers and communications equipment; trackside antennas, servers and communications equipment; and a centralized back office dispatch system to store and communicate information to the trains and trackside locations.

 

Metra is responsible for creating the back office system and installing the equipment on board all Metra trains and along the five routes it controls (Metra Electric, Rock Island, SouthWest Service and the Milwaukee District West and North). The freight companies that own the other six lines – BNSF Railway (the BNSF Line), Union Pacific Railroad (the three UP lines) and CN Railroad (Heritage Corridor and North Central Service) – are responsible for the trackside equipment and back offices for those routes.

 

One of the key features of PTC – and one of its biggest challenges – is that PTC systems must be interoperable between railroads. This means that Metra’s onboard equipment must be able to seamlessly communicate not only with Metra’s trackside and back office components, but with the freight railroads’ trackside and back office components, and vice versa.

 

BNSF Railway anticipates that PTC will be fully operational on the BNSF Line this year. UP also expects to have PTC operational on its lines starting this year. For Metra, PTC will start on the Rock Island Line this year and on the other lines in 2019 and 2020.

 

Click here for a Q&A about this issue.

 

The proposed new schedule can be viewed here.

 

 



#3 CNJRoss

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Posted 04 April 2018 - 05:33 AM

Naperville Sun by Chicago Tribune 4/2/18:
 

Public input sought on switching Metra schedule to make trains safer

 

 

Naperville-area Metra commuters' opinions are being sought on proposed service changes coming as a result of a government-mandated safety measures.

 

Metra's busiest route, the BNSF line between Aurora and Chicago Union Station, will be the first in the Chicago area to implement the new Positive Train Control, or PTC, safety system, according to the Metra commuter rail system.

 

But in order to run the PTC system, Metra said it will need to revise some of the line's schedule starting this summer.

 

Continue here.



#4 CNJRoss

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Posted 18 June 2018 - 12:04 PM

The Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL 6/18/18:
 

Metra hopes worst is over with new BNSF schedule, braking system

 

 

The debut last week of a revised BNSF Line timetable caused sardine-like conditions and enraged passengers on some cars, followed by meaculpas by Metra officials.

 

The question now is whether the railroad can avoid repeating the BNSF's problems as it rolls out more schedule adjustments on its 10 other train lines in the coming months.

 

SNIP

 

The schedule changes were required to accommodate a new automatic braking system that stops a train if an engineer misses a signal or is speeding.

 

More here.



#5 CNJRoss

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Posted 24 June 2018 - 08:09 AM

Burr Ridge (IL) Patch, 6/22/18:
 

Reps. Durkin, Olsen Meet With Metra To Discuss Service

Reliability issues have intensified recently with the new federally-mandated train safety regulations which prompted a new train schedule.

 

 

BURR RIDGE, — House Republican Leader Jim Durkin and State Rep. Davis Olsen met with Metra recently to discuss some recent service reliability issues. According to a release, reliability issues have intensified recently with the new federally-mandated train safety regulations which prompted an entirely new train schedule.

 

The representatives met with Metra CEO Jim Derwinski and staff to express their concerns, and find out what steps are being taken to improve BNSF performance.

 

SNIP

 

The lawmakers, who represent commuters from municipalities through much of the BNSF service area, were told that delays had improved significantly and that on Wednesday, June 20, the trains ran 98.9 percent on time, according to a release. They also learned that six adjustments had already been made to address train overcrowding.

 

More here.






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