North American Signal, Inc. nears completion of Wayside Analyzer & Centralized Maintenance Management System contract with Southern California Regional Rail Authority for the Metrolink Commuter Rail System.

Metrolink, Southern California’s commuter rail system, carries thousands of passengers on hundreds of trains operating daily. On time performance delivery is expected from each customer that boards a Metrolink train. To help ensure each safety system is operating at maximum efficiency, Metrolink has engaged the expertise of North American Signal, Inc. of Jacksonville, FL.

In early 2006, North American Signal, Inc. (NAS) was awarded a system wide contract, and started work designing and installing approximately 250 Highway Grade Crossing monitoring systems on the Metrolink rail system.  Individual sites were outfitted with Micro Data Analyzer II (MDAII) wayside data analyzers.  These MDAII units are equipped with state of the art technology and high-speed VHF data modems that communicate with the NAS-provided Railway Works (RWW) centralized maintenance data management platform located at Metrolink’s Pomona CA headquarters. 

Metrolink’s commuter rail system operates throughout the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. With a population of 13 million people, LA counties are well known for heavily clustered roads and intersections.  Assuring the safe and free flow of traffic continues to be a high priority for the commuter rail system, as it is for all rail networks. By equipping automatic highway grade crossing locations with MDAII systems, these crossings communicate continuously via a private wireless data transmission system to the Railway Works platform.  The data analysis done by the RWW platform provides instantaneous notification to Metrolink.  In turn, the proactive maintenance data on the operation of these crossing increases the level of efficiency and safety at the equipped sites.

NAS installation crews worked on the project full time for the past two and a half years.  The initial phase of the contract involved replacement of unused and outdated Safetran SEAR II analyzers with feature rich MDAII systems at 40 locations. An additional 210 MDAII units equipped with high-speed VHF data modems were installed.  These units communicate to 25 collector locations that span six different subdivisions across the Metrolink system. The VHF radio base collector locations are integrated through Metrolink’s Wide Area Network (WAN), and allow continuous connectivity to each of the 250 sites throughout the network. Unlimited transmission of maintenance data from active sites allows Metrolink technicians the ability to implement a proactive maintenance program, as well as providing instantaneous notification of any anomaly occurring at a crossing. This live feed allows continuous monitoring of approximately 27 critical operational parameters, such as gate operation, power systems, train activity, and numerous peripheral systems. Equipped with two-way DTMF radio capability, the NAS analyzers provide maintenance personnel with remote control and automated voice annunciation via mobile 2-way radios. This capability represents a substantial time saver, and an enormous safety benefit, when conducting routine maintenance at heavily traveled crossings such as on the Metrolink system.

The high speed VHF data transmission operates on a secure Metrolink channel, and allows unlimited data throughput with virtually no recurring costs.  This functionality offers Metrolink the ability to realize the full potential of the NAS monitoring system. Daily maintenance reports, critical alarms generated due to system failure, and proactive analysis and reporting of system operation all provide for a 24x7 set of electronic eyes at all times on each location.            

The NAS Railway Works Centralized Maintenance management platform provides Metrolink personnel with a means to manage operation of information streamed in from the wayside facilities. Equipped with a DELL Power Edge server hardware cluster integrated into the Metrolink WAN, the RWW system can handle simultaneous activity at up to 1000 linked locations. The integrated RWW software platform uses RWW Client, which operates on the users’ desktop or laptop.  With an SQL server as it data analysis engine, RWW clients handles real time location monitoring, automated trouble ticket generation and management, automated on-call Duty roster, and electronic test and inspection management. 

With the Duty Roster function, personnel call status is easily managed by the individual employee pushing a few buttons on their cell phone.  Having this call status information allows technicians and dispatchers to quickly dispatch appropriate personnel to assigned locations. When a location is not equipped with a wayside analyzer, technicians still have the ability to manage maintenance by using the manual trouble ticket platform. The high-speed private data backbone communication system allows technicians to connect to individual field sites, and remotely test and monitor system operation.

Metrolink is taking advantage of the integrated automated test and inspection package that allows the wayside analyzers to generate automated inspection tests for equipped locations. Recently Metrolink awarded NAS a contract extension to install NAS automated  Ground Fault Detectors at 65 locations on the system. With this added feature wayside analyzers perform automated monthly maintenance inspections at equipped sites on a 28 day interval. Test and inspection records are transmitted, managed and archived on the system under the Railway Works platform.

This North American Signal Maintenance Management system has exceeded all expectations and provided our customer with a proactive maintenance solution at highly exposed active grade crossing locations on the Metrolink rail network. The Railway Works solution provides what Metrolink requires to manage maintenance at up to approximately 1000 locations.  Future expansion includes bringing NAS technology to other wayside facilities in the form of Interlockings and automatic signals. 

North American Signal, Inc. specializes in customizing a solution to fit our ever-growing list of customers needs. We listen and we care, two critical components to the success of our business.