Level%Boarding:% Decisions%

14%October%2013% Clem%Tillier%

Why%level%boarding?%%Faster%
It%speeds%up%service% Consider%a%weekday%allGstops%local%running%from% San%Francisco%to%San%Jose:%
Diesel,%no%levelGboarding:%1%hour%31%minutes% Electric,%no%levelGboarding:%1%hour%21%minutes%("10)' Electric,%with%levelGboarding:%1%hour%16%minutes%("5)'

Level%boarding%is%50%%as%eecQve%as%electricaQon%%

Why%level%boarding?%%More%reliable%
Predictable%staQon%dwell%Qmes%make%service% more%reliable%
Transfers%to%BART,%VTA,%HSR%are%more%robust% (closely%Qmed%and%reliable)% CapitalGintensive%infrastructure%such%as%passing% tracks%for%the%blended%system%can%be%shorter%(and% cheaper%to%build)%because%Qghter%overtake%Qming% is%possible%without%risking%delays% Less%Qmetable%padding%%even%faster%service% Level%boarding%is%important%for%blended%operaQon%

DECISIONS%REGARDING%INTEROPERATION%WITH%FREIGHT%
START% HERE%
Level% Boarding?% Yes% 8%train% oors%or% raise% pla_orms ?% raise% pla_orms% Keep% freight ?% Yes% No% Yes% Compromise%with% UPRR%and%BNSF%on% acceptable%side%% clearance%criteria% No% Secle%lawsuits% from%UPRR% customers% 8%inch% oors% No% No%change% Use% deployable% gap%ller% step?% Yes% 8%train%oors%not% structurally%possible% Add%lateral%clearance% with%deployable%gap% ller%steps%(on%train)% No%

LEGEND%
Outcome% Challenge% Decision%

No%constraint%on% lateral%clearances%

Wider% trains ?% Yes%

No%

>128% (Plate%F)%?% No%

Yes%

Waiver% GO%26GD?%

Obtain%waivers?% Track%spacing?% Tunnel%clearance?%

Gauntlet% tracks?% Yes% GO%26GD%clearance% with%gauntlet%tracks%

No%

Retractable% Pla_orms% Edges?% Yes% GO%26GD%clearance% with%retractable% pla_orm%edges%

No%

Add%lateral%clearance% by%using%wider% passenger%cars%

Never%mind,% No%level%boarding%

Other% OpQons?%

CPUC%General%Order%26GD%
CPUC%=%California%Public%UQliQes%Commission%

Sets%side%clearances% where%freight%trains% operate%

What%26GD%is%intended%for%

All%of%this%is%irrelevant%to%the%SF%peninsula%

DECISIONS%REGARDING%INTEROPERATION%WITH%FREIGHT%
START% HERE%
Level% Boarding?% Yes% 8%train% oors%or% raise% pla_orms ?% raise% pla_orms% Keep% freight ?% Yes% No% Yes% Compromise%with% UPRR%and%BNSF%on% acceptable%side%% clearance%criteria% No% Secle%lawsuits% from%UPRR% customers% 8%inch% oors% No% No%change% Use% deployable% gap%ller% step?% Yes% 8%train%oors%not% structurally%possible% Add%lateral%clearance% with%deployable%gap% ller%steps%(on%train)% No%

LEGEND%
Outcome% Challenge% Decision%

No%constraint%on% lateral%clearances%

Wider% trains ?% Yes%

No%

>128% (Plate%F)%?% No%

Yes%

Waiver% GO%26GD?%

Obtain%waivers?% Track%spacing?% Tunnel%clearance?%

Gauntlet% tracks?% Yes% GO%26GD%clearance% with%gauntlet%tracks%

No%

Retractable% Pla_orms% Edges?% Yes% GO%26GD%clearance% with%retractable% pla_orm%edges%

No%

Add%lateral%clearance% by%using%wider% passenger%cars%

Never%mind,% No%level%boarding%

Other% OpQons?%

Gauntlet%tracks%
Required%at%every%pla_orm% Capital%cost:%$$$% O%&%M%cost:%$$%
O%&%M%=%OperaQng%&%Maintenance%

Service%impact:%negaQve%
Train%must%slow%to%a%crawl% entering%and%leaving%each% staQon% Expensive,%slow%and%unreliable%

Retractable%pla_orms%
Required%at%every% pla_orm% Capital%cost:%$$$% O%&%M%cost:%$$% Service%impact:%none%
Folded%up%for%freight%

Expensive%and%unreliable%

DECISIONS%REGARDING%INTEROPERATION%WITH%FREIGHT%
START% HERE%
Level% Boarding?% Yes% 8%train% oors%or% raise% pla_orms ?% raise% pla_orms% Keep% freight ?% Yes% No% Yes% Compromise%with% UPRR%and%BNSF%on% acceptable%side%% clearance%criteria% No% Secle%lawsuits% from%UPRR% customers% 8%inch% oors% No% No%change% Use% deployable% gap%ller% step?% Yes% 8%train%oors%not% structurally%possible% Add%lateral%clearance% with%deployable%gap% ller%steps%(on%train)% No%

LEGEND%
Outcome% Challenge% Decision%

No%constraint%on% lateral%clearances%

Wider% trains ?% Yes%

No%

>128% (Plate%F)%?% No%

Yes%

Waiver% GO%26GD?%

Obtain%waivers?% Track%spacing?% Tunnel%clearance?%

Gauntlet% tracks?% Yes% GO%26GD%clearance% with%gauntlet%tracks%

No%

Retractable% Pla_orms% Edges?% Yes% GO%26GD%clearance% with%retractable% pla_orm%edges%

No%

Add%lateral%clearance% by%using%wider% passenger%cars%

Never%mind,% No%level%boarding%

Other% OpQons?%

What%compromise%might%look%like%
26GD%side%clearance:%2%8%of%clearance%beyond% standard%freight%car%width% Could%we%compromise%with%pla_orms%at%
6%inches%of%clearance%beyond%standard%car%width?%%% 9%inches?%%%A%foot?% Compromise%may%also%involve%liability%for% pla_orm%strikes%

ADA%allows%only%3%inches%from%car%to%pla_orm%
Any%compromise%sQll%leaves%a%gap%>%3%inches%

Waiver%of%General%Order%26GD%
NOT%AVOIDABLE%if%we%are%seeking%an%eecQve% and%aordable%levelGboarding%soluQon%

The%Qme%to%iniQate%the%waiver%process%is%now%

DECISIONS%REGARDING%INTEROPERATION%WITH%FREIGHT%
START% HERE%
Level% Boarding?% Yes% 8%train% oors%or% raise% pla_orms ?% raise% pla_orms% Keep% freight ?% Yes% No% Yes% Compromise%with% UPRR%and%BNSF%on% acceptable%side%% clearance%criteria% No% Secle%lawsuits% from%UPRR% customers% 8%inch% oors% No% No%change% Use% deployable% gap%ller% step?% Yes% 8%train%oors%not% structurally%possible% Add%lateral%clearance% with%deployable%gap% ller%steps%(on%train)% No%

LEGEND%
Outcome% Challenge% Decision%

No%constraint%on% lateral%clearances%

Wider% trains ?% Yes%

No%

>128% (Plate%F)%?% No%

Yes%

Waiver% GO%26GD?%

Obtain%waivers?% Track%spacing?% Tunnel%clearance?%

Gauntlet% tracks?% Yes% GO%26GD%clearance% with%gauntlet%tracks%

No%

Retractable% Pla_orms% Edges?% Yes% GO%26GD%clearance% with%retractable% pla_orm%edges%

No%

Add%lateral%clearance% by%using%wider% passenger%cars%

Never%mind,% No%level%boarding%

Other% OpQons?%

GapGller%steps%
Westbahn%(Austria)% Stadler%KISS%EMU%

Capital%costs:%$% O&M%costs:%$%

Deploy%automaQcally%from%train,%lling%pla_orm%gap%

Common%in%Europe%

DECISIONS%REGARDING%INTEROPERATION%WITH%FREIGHT%
START% HERE%
Level% Boarding?% Yes% 8%train% oors%or% raise% pla_orms ?% raise% pla_orms% Keep% freight ?% Yes% No% Yes% Compromise%with% UPRR%and%BNSF%on% acceptable%side%% clearance%criteria% No% Secle%lawsuits% from%UPRR% customers% 8%inch% oors% No% No%change% Use% deployable% gap%ller% step?% Yes% 8%train%oors%not% structurally%possible% Add%lateral%clearance% with%deployable%gap% ller%steps%(on%train)% No%

LEGEND%
Outcome% Challenge% Decision%

No%constraint%on% lateral%clearances%

Wider% trains ?% Yes%

No%

>128% (Plate%F)%?% No%

Yes%

Waiver% GO%26GD?%

Obtain%waivers?% Track%spacing?% Tunnel%clearance?%

Gauntlet% tracks?% Yes% GO%26GD%clearance% with%gauntlet%tracks%

No%

Retractable% Pla_orms% Edges?% Yes% GO%26GD%clearance% with%retractable% pla_orm%edges%

No%

Add%lateral%clearance% by%using%wider% passenger%cars%

Never%mind,% No%level%boarding%

Other% OpQons?%

Extra%wide%trains%
Wider%vehicle%% narrower%gap%
Capital%cost:%$% O%&%M%cost:%zero% Service%impact:%
More%space% More%seats% More%passengers%

An%acracQve%opQon%when%trac%is%maxed%out%

DECISIONS%REGARDING%INTEROPERATION%WITH%FREIGHT%
START% HERE%
Level% Boarding?% Yes% 8%train% oors%or% raise% pla_orms ?% raise% pla_orms% Keep% freight ?% Yes% No% Yes% Compromise%with% UPRR%and%BNSF%on% acceptable%side%% clearance%criteria% No% Secle%lawsuits% from%UPRR% customers% 8%inch% oors% No% No%change% Use% deployable% gap%ller% step?% Yes% 8%train%oors%not% structurally%possible% Add%lateral%clearance% with%deployable%gap% ller%steps%(on%train)% No%

LEGEND%
Outcome% Challenge% Decision%

No%constraint%on% lateral%clearances%

Wider% trains ?% Yes%

No%

>128% (Plate%F)%?% No%

Yes%

Waiver% GO%26GD?%

Obtain%waivers?% Track%spacing?% Tunnel%clearance?%

Gauntlet% tracks?% Yes% GO%26GD%clearance% with%gauntlet%tracks%

No%

Retractable% Pla_orms% Edges?% Yes% GO%26GD%clearance% with%retractable% pla_orm%edges%

No%

Add%lateral%clearance% by%using%wider% passenger%cars%

Never%mind,% No%level%boarding%

Other% OpQons?%

Level%boarding%conclusions%
Level%boarding%is%valuable%
CostGeecQve%for%reducing%trip%Qmes%and%creaQng% a%reliable%blended%system% A%waiver%of%General%Order%26GD%is%the%rst%step% Even%with%a%waiver,%it%will%take%Qme%and%money%

The%community%and%elected%ocials%should% provide%the%support%needed%for%Caltrain% to%achieve%level%boarding%

Beyond%Level%Boarding:% Pla_orm%Sharing%

Jobs,%jobs,%jobs%at%Transbay%
There%are%more% jobs%within%%mile% of%Transbay%than% within%%mile%of%all% Caltrain%staQons% combined)!)

All%Caltrain%and%HSR%should%serve%SF%Transbay%

Grand%Central%of%the%West?%
New'York'''67'pla5orm'tracks'on'2'levels'

SF'Transbay'''6'pla5orm'tracks'

SF%Transbay%is%a%very%small%and%cramped%terminal%

The%problem%at%Transbay%
Southbound%(deparQng)%

Northbound%(arriving)%

Pla_orm%segregaQon% All%arriving%Caltrain%trac%must%cut% across%(and%delay)%all%deparQng% HSR%trac,%and%vice%versa%

Two%separate%miniGterminals%are%even%worse!%

DECISIONS%REGARDING%PLATFORM%HEIGHT%
START% HERE%
Blend%HSR% and% Caltrain?% Yes% No%

HSR%with% high%(48)% Pla_orms ?% No% Separate% Dedicated% Pla_orms% Yes% Convert%Caltrain%to% high%pla_orms,% systemGwide% No%

No%

LEGEND%
Outcome% Challenge% Decision%

Caltrain% Level% Boarding?% Yes%

Find%350%km/h,%low% entry,%ADA%compliant% train%architecture% Rescind%Amtrak%MOU%

Pla_orm% Sharing?% Yes%

Yes% Adopt%a% common% pla_orm% height?% No%

Shared% High%Pla_orms%

Shared% Low%Pla_orms%

Convince%CHSRA%that% security%and%fare% collecQon%issues%can% be%addressed%without% dedicated%pla_orms% Note:%this%is%the%standard% for%HSR%in%France,%Germany,% Belgium,%etc.%and%even%here% in%the%USA%(Acela%Express)%

Make%Caltrain% EMUs%compaQble% with%HSR% pla_orm?% Yes%

No%

Note:%requires%internal% train%liv%for%ADA%

Procure%EMUs%with% two%sets%of%doors,% high%and%low%

Develop%new% technology%to%raise%or% lower%enQre%pla_orm%

Caltrain%can%use%high% HSR%pla_orms%

Shared% MulQGheight% Pla_orms%

Pla_orm%sharing%
HSR''''Frankfurt'''Commuter' Commuter''''Paris'''HSR'

PracQced%everywhere%in%the%world%where%track% gauge%does%not%preclude%it%
Pla_orm%sharing%is%common%

Pla_orm%sharing%for%Transbay%
Reduces%the%number%and%frequency%of%conicts% (i.e.%delays)%in%the%staQon%approach%tracks% Increases%the%overall%throughput%of%the%terminal,% which%sets%the%limit%for%all%of%California%HSR% Allows%a%scarce%resource%(pla_orms)%to%be% dynamically%allocated%to%actual%(as%opposed%to% predicted)%demand%pacerns%as%they%develop%
Pla_orm%sharing%can%make%Transbay%bigger%

Floor%heights%tend%to%be%dierent%

For%shared%pla_orms,%someone)must%compromise%

DECISIONS%REGARDING%PLATFORM%HEIGHT%
START% HERE%
Blend%HSR% and% Caltrain?% Yes% No%

HSR%with% high%(48)% Pla_orms ?% No% Separate% Dedicated% Pla_orms% Yes% Convert%Caltrain%to% high%pla_orms,% systemGwide% No%

No%

LEGEND%
Outcome% Challenge% Decision%

Caltrain% Level% Boarding?% Yes%

Find%350%km/h,%low% entry,%ADA%compliant% train%architecture% Rescind%Amtrak%MOU%

Pla_orm% Sharing?% Yes%

Yes% Adopt%a% common% pla_orm% height?% No%

Shared% High%Pla_orms%

Shared% Low%Pla_orms%

Convince%CHSRA%that% security%and%fare% collecQon%issues%can% be%addressed%without% dedicated%pla_orms% Note:%this%is%the%standard% for%HSR%in%France,%Germany,% Belgium,%etc.%and%even%here% in%the%USA%(Acela%Express)%

Make%Caltrain% EMUs%compaQble% with%HSR% pla_orm?% Yes%

No%

Note:%requires%internal% train%liv%for%ADA%

Procure%EMUs%with% two%sets%of%doors,% high%and%low%

Develop%new% technology%to%raise%or% lower%enQre%pla_orm%

Caltrain%can%use%high% HSR%pla_orms%

Shared% MulQGheight% Pla_orms%

BiGlevel,%highGpla_orm%EMU%

Sydney%

Paris%

Moscow%

They%do%exist!%

TransiQon%to%high%boarding%
Need%to%keep%operaQng%through%transiQon% Trains%serve%both%high%and%low%pla_orms% Replace%low%doors%with%seats%when%done%

Use%EMU%eet%to%enable%height%transiQon%

DECISIONS%REGARDING%PLATFORM%HEIGHT%
START% HERE%
Blend%HSR% and% Caltrain?% Yes% No%

HSR%with% high%(48)% Pla_orms ?% No% Separate% Dedicated% Pla_orms% Yes% Convert%Caltrain%to% high%pla_orms,% systemGwide% No%

No%

LEGEND%
Outcome% Challenge% Decision%

Caltrain% Level% Boarding?% Yes%

Find%350%km/h,%low% entry,%ADA%compliant% train%architecture% Rescind%Amtrak%MOU%

Pla_orm% Sharing?% Yes%

Yes% Adopt%a% common% pla_orm% height?% No%

Shared% High%Pla_orms%

Shared% Low%Pla_orms%

Convince%CHSRA%that% security%and%fare% collecQon%issues%can% be%addressed%without% dedicated%pla_orms% Note:%this%is%the%standard% for%HSR%in%France,%Germany,% Belgium,%etc.%and%even%here% in%the%USA%(Acela%Express)%

Make%Caltrain% EMUs%compaQble% with%HSR% pla_orm?% Yes%

No%

Note:%requires%internal% train%liv%for%ADA%

Procure%EMUs%with% two%sets%of%doors,% high%and%low%

Develop%new% technology%to%raise%or% lower%enQre%pla_orm%

Caltrain%can%use%high% HSR%pla_orms%

Shared% MulQGheight% Pla_orms%

HSR%for%low%pla_orms%

Swiss%230%km/h%(140%mph)%lowGboarding%double%deck%train%

Doesnt%exist%(yet%since%nobody%asked%for%it)% Could%enable%biGlevel,%higher%capacity%trains% Diverges%from%Amtrak%joint%procurement%

If%CHSRA%requests%info,%builders%will%answer%the%call%

DECISIONS%REGARDING%PLATFORM%HEIGHT%
START% HERE%
Blend%HSR% and% Caltrain?% Yes% No%

HSR%with% high%(48)% Pla_orms ?% No% Separate% Dedicated% Pla_orms% Yes% Convert%Caltrain%to% high%pla_orms,% systemGwide% No%

No%

LEGEND%
Outcome% Challenge% Decision%

Caltrain% Level% Boarding?% Yes%

Find%350%km/h,%low% entry,%ADA%compliant% train%architecture% Rescind%Amtrak%MOU%

Pla_orm% Sharing?% Yes%

Yes% Adopt%a% common% pla_orm% height?% No%

Shared% High%Pla_orms%

Shared% Low%Pla_orms%

Convince%CHSRA%that% security%and%fare% collecQon%issues%can% be%addressed%without% dedicated%pla_orms% Note:%this%is%the%standard% for%HSR%in%France,%Germany,% Belgium,%etc.%and%even%here% in%the%USA%(Acela%Express)%

Make%Caltrain% EMUs%compaQble% with%HSR% pla_orm?% Yes%

No%

Note:%requires%internal% train%liv%for%ADA%

Procure%EMUs%with% two%sets%of%doors,% high%and%low%

Develop%new% technology%to%raise%or% lower%enQre%pla_orm%

Caltrain%can%use%high% HSR%pla_orms%

Shared% MulQGheight% Pla_orms%

Shared%pla_orm%benets% for%San%Francisco%
More%train%trac% More%ridership% More%economic%acQvity% More%commercial%success%at%Transbay%

Shared%pla_orms%are%great%for%San%Francisco%

Shared%pla_orm%benets% for%the%Bay%Area%
Lower%capital%costs%in%Millbrae%
No%need%for%underground%faciliQes%

Lower%capital%costs%in%San%Jose%
No%need%for%a%massive%doubleGdeck%HSR%staQon% (ACE%and%Amtrak%need%only%2%tracks)%

Easy%to%add%a%midGpeninsula%stop%just%make% the%Caltrain%pla_orm%long%enough%(400%m)%
Shared%pla_orms%are%great%for%the%Bay%Area%

What%macers%
What%macers:%
Transbay%capacity%%sets%statewide%HSR%throughput% Schedule%reliability%%key%to%blending%Caltrain%and%HSR% Cuxng%capital%costs%%Millbrae,%SJ%and%midGpeninsula% MulQGvendor%soluQons%%no%vendor%lockGin%

What%macers%less:%
The%height%of%shared%pla_orms%%provided%theyre%shared% Designing%around%the%current%Caltrain%eet%(25%inches)% CompaQbility%with%Amtrak%and%ACE%%segregate%in%SC/SJ% CompaQbility%with%Amtraks%Northeast%Corridor%HSR%

Shared%pla_orms%will%be%controversial%and%dicult%

CompaQbility%can%we%do%it?%
Higher%passenger%capacity% Lower%costs% A%becer%passenger%experience%

Caltrain%HSR%CompaQbility%Blog:%hcp://caltrainGhsr.blogspot.com%

BACKUP%

DECISIONS%REGARDING%ADA%COMPLIANCE%
START% HERE%
Level% Boarding?% Yes% No% ConQnue%using% workarounds%(miniG highs,%bridge%plates,% inGvehicle%livs)%

LEGEND%
Outcome%

Comply% with%FTA% 3%gap% Yes%

No%

Obtain%FTA%clearance% for%wider%gap%

Operate%with%wider% pla_orm%gap%

Challenge% Decision% Yes% Control% train% clearance% to%3%?%% No%

Convert%Caltrain% staQons%to%slab%track%

Develop%acQvely% controlled%suspension% on%new%Caltrain%EMUs%

Limit%train%speeds% when%passing% pla_orms%

3%gap%achieved%by% precisely%controlling% train%clearance%

3%gap%achieved%by% deployable%gap%ller% steps%(on%train)%