Metro News Release

For immediate release: July 3, 2003

Metro’s Board Planning and Development Committee recommends action on the implementation of eight-car Metrorail trains

The Board Planning and Development Committee of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) today recommended action to award a contract for a pilot project to upgrade the train control station stopping system for reliable eight-car train operations. The full Metro Board of Directors is scheduled to take action on the recommendation on July 17. Metro’s Core Capacity Study, completed in December 2001, concluded that eight-car trains would be necessary to increase system capacity and to accommodate future ridership growth. The 10-year Capital Improvement Program approved by the Board in September 2002, included upgrading to the power distribution and train control systems to permit eight-car train operations with precision stopping. The Board allocated $3 million in the FY 2004 budget for this project. Metro is looking to secure an additional $48.4 million, which may be needed to complete work activities systemwide depending on the outcome of the pilot project. "The purpose of this project is to enhance the wayside equipment as well as on board software to improve precision stopping from the current tolerance level of +/- 6 feet, to +/- 3 feet for eight-car train operations, for 99 percent of all train stops," said Lem Proctor, Chief Operating Officer for Rail. "The improved stopping tolerance is necessary to properly ensure a 600 foot long eight-car train stops just where we want it to along the platform." The Automatic Train Control (ATC) system on board Metrorail cars utilizes software and devices to scan marker coils located at specific distances from the tracks, and to control the braking subsystem allowing trains to decelerate smoothly to a stop at the desired position along the station platform. The marker coils are installed in the trackbed, and allow the train to determine its position to the station platform. "The Metrorail system was designed for eight-car trains, but recent field tests indicate that eight-car trains cannot stop within the limits of the station platform with sufficient reliability to avoid passenger inconvenience," said Mr. Proctor. "The 600- foot-long station platforms are approximately the same length as an eight-car train. This project will ensure that trains will stop at the exact spot along the station platforms." The project will be implemented in two phases. The first phase, which is the pilot project, calls for design, installation, and testing enhancements to the programmed station stop system on the wayside, and on board Metro rail cars. The pilot will occur at eight train stations: Farragut North, Metro Center, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Judiciary Square, Union Station, New York Avenue, Rhode Island Avenue and Brookland-CUA. Metro expects the first phase to be completed by the end of 2004. The second phase will incorporate lessons learned from the pilot project and design and install the upgrades at the remaining 78 Metrorail stations and on board the remaining Metrorail cars. "Today, we are taking the first step toward the implementation of eight-car trains," said Mr. Proctor. "With higher ridership forecasted, we recognize the need to meet the growing demand that is placed on the Metrorail system. The ultimate goal is to meet that demand, and to carry as many people as possible particularly in the peak hours when demand is at its greatest."

News release issued on July 3, 2003.