Late Starter Tuesday, Please note the following item(s) was not included with your agenda as this item(s) was received after the agenda package was printed. Planning and Works Committee Report TES-RTS-18-09, ION Vehicle and Testing Update (Information) Page 2 2860681
Region of Waterloo Transportation and Environmental Services Rapid Transit To: Chair Tom Galloway and Members of the Planning and Works Committee Date: File Code: A02-30/PW Subject: ION Vehicle and Testing Update Recommendation: For information. Summary: Bombardier and GrandLinq continue to make progress on the ION vehicles, the installation of specialized equipment and system testing. The current status of the fourteen Region of Waterloo light rail vehicles is as follows: Eleven vehicles are in Waterloo o Four have specialized on-board equipment (502, 511, 512 and 513) o Two are in the latter stages of having on-board specialized equipment (503 and 504) o Five are allocated to system testing, training activities and modifications on a rotating basis Three vehicles are in Kingston o 510 is scheduled to be shipped shortly and has the on-board specialized equipment o Installation of the on-board specialized equipment on the other trains (501 and 514) has started Significantly, no vehicles are yet fully ready for service, in that they have not yet achieved Preliminary Acceptance Certificate (PAC). PAC is a prerequisite to Final Acceptance Certificate (Region takes ownership of vehicle) and start of service. Some open items (unresolved) are permissible but require both the agreement from the Region and also a detailed plan for how the open item is to be resolved. 2846503 Page 1 of 9
Testing of vehicles and control systems is continuing but has been delayed by the later than originally scheduled arrival of vehicles and typical problems associated with testing a brand new vehicle and system. Training of drivers continues as scheduled and training of maintenance staff has started. While the Region of Waterloo, Bombardier and GrandLinq have made considerable effort to achieve start of service in December 2018, based on the above noted information it will not be possible to start service by that date. Until the Region has available all fourteen Bombardier vehicles in the required condition to start service, it is difficult to accurately predict the start of service. According to Bombardier s current schedule, all fourteen vehicles are scheduled to be ready in early February 2019. Assuming that the vehicles are ready in early February and that GrandLinq has d all of the necessary system testing, training and safety certification onschedule, start of service would be in the spring of 2019. GRT and ION cooperation and coordination continues to ensure that when service starts customers have a seamless and reliable transportation system. To prepare for start of service, the Region s public outreach program to provide information to residents on the ION train system continues in particular how to stay safe around the ION vehicles. The program will continue throughout the fall and winter until service starts. Report: As requested by Council on April 18, 2018, Region staff are providing this update on ION LRT vehicles and testing status for the period September 17, 2018 to vember 2, 2018. This update provides a status of vehicles in Waterloo and Kingston, testing and training status on the Project and events that are scheduled for this fall. Waterloo Vehicles Eleven vehicles are currently in Waterloo Region. The status of these vehicles is as follows: Four have specialized on-board equipment (502, 511, 512 and 513) Two are in the latter stages of having on-board specialized equipment (503 and 504) Five are allocated to system testing, training activities and modifications on a rotating basis. On-board specialized equipment needs to be on these vehicles. To begin service, vehicles must go through an acceptance process. This process has started with a demonstration burn-in starting in late August 2018 in Waterloo. Significantly, no vehicles are yet fully ready for service, in that they have not yet achieved Preliminary Acceptance Certificate (PAC). 2846503 Page 2 of 9
Kingston Vehicles Three vehicles are in Kingston o 510 is scheduled to be shipped shortly and has the on-board specialized equipment o Installation of the on-board specialized equipment on the other trains (501, 510 and 514) has started These vehicles are not required to support the current testing or driver training in Waterloo and there has been no impact to the schedule from these vehicles remaining in Kingston. The Kingston facility was designed for vehicle assembly and is the best location for making the required modifications (upgrades) to the trains. The staff that assembled the train are best able to make modifications to the train. Table 1 summarizes the current status of all the vehicles. On-Board Equipment Installation Prior to going into service, it is necessary to install certain specialized on-board equipment on each of the vehicles. As part of the Project, GrandLinq is responsible for ensuring the finished vehicle integrates seamlessly with the built system. On-board equipment includes radios, antennas and on-board systems to control gates, crossings, and traffic signals. This also allows the vehicles to communicate with the ION Control Centre. With this equipment, ION can run at service speeds and at consistent times throughout operations. The Region has finalized an agreement with Bombardier to install GrandLinq s on-board equipment and to make the necessary onboard modifications to accommodate the equipment on each train. All of the trains are in the process of being retrofitted. On-board equipment installation is the next vital step to getting to service start. After the equipment is, extensive testing needs to be d by GrandLinq to ensure the system is working correctly. Following installation of on-board equipment, the vehicles go through an acceptance process. The first step is to achieve a Preliminary Acceptance Certificate (PAC). To achieve a Preliminary Acceptance Certificate (PAC) on any vehicle, the following needs to be : Qualification Testing on Pilot Vehicles (in Kingston); Vehicles are fully assembled; Modifications are d on the vehicles. Modifications are constantly being implemented to ensure reliability of the vehicle fleet; and Each vehicle is inspected and s routine tests. Routine tests are done on every vehicle to make sure all the components of the vehicle work properly. 2846503 Page 3 of 9
Currently technical open (unresolved) items are holding up issuance of a Preliminary Acceptance Certificate. These items range from quality issues to pending modifications. Each open item requires a detailed plan showing how the issue will be resolved, to the Region s satisfaction. The next step following Preliminary Acceptance is to achieve Final Acceptance Certificate on the vehicle. Once this is, the vehicle is ready to carry passengers. The first vehicle with PAC and on-board specialized equipment was scheduled to arrive on August 31, 2018. This vehicle is very close to achieving PAC now. To achieve a Final Acceptance Certificate on any vehicle, the following needs to be after a Preliminary Acceptance: Check and Acceptance Tests (these checks and tests are done after vehicle arrives to ensure it is still in PAC condition); 600 kilometer burn-in test to make sure there are no reliability issues on the vehicle; and Finalization of documentation and safety certification Following issuance of the Final Acceptance Certificate, the Region takes ownership of the vehicle and the vehicle is provided to GrandLinq to commence start of service. Testing Status Prior to revenue service, a significant amount of testing needs to be d by Bombardier and GrandLinq. Bombardier is completing qualification testing on pilot vehicles in Kingston. In addition, Bombardier is doing some additional qualification testing in the Region. These tests are to show the vehicle performs correctly to the specifications. At the same time, GrandLinq is completing System Integration Testing in Waterloo Region. System Integration Testing tests both the built infrastructure and the vehicle to ensure they are functioning together as designed. This testing has been ongoing with vehicles that do not have the specialized equipment. Approximately half of the 86 tests have been d this way. The next System Integration Tests require vehicles with on-board equipment. With the arrival of vehicle 511, GrandLinq has started the remaining system integration tests. While this testing has been going well and to date only relatively minor issues have been identified, there are still a significant number of tests to. Successful completion of these tests is required to safety approve the system and is critical to starting service. GrandLinq is also completing rework activities to correct construction related deficiencies through this reporting period. 2846503 Page 4 of 9
Bombardier has started dry run tests for burn-in on some vehicles. These dry run tests will not count to official burn in mileage, but will help identify any vehicle reliability issues as soon as possible. The next major step to improve the function and reliability of the vehicles is the issuance of the next software upgrade. Table 2 shows the current status of testing. Training Status GrandLinq/Keolis continues training on the first of three sets of train operators. Once trained, drivers will be supporting the ongoing testing and burn in programme and system demonstration tests as well as ongoing driving to maintain skill levels. There are currently 10 drivers being trained. Four vehicles have been allocated specifically for the training and qualification of GrandLinq/Keolis Operators. Two to three of the vehicles are being used everyday for training these drivers and it has become commonplace for three vehicles to be operating on the ION route during the same time throughout the day. A fourth vehicle serves as a hot spare available for replacing one of the other training vehicles if required. Training of drivers has been delayed by vehicle reliability issues (it is expected that the next computer software upgrade will resolve the issues). The Bombardier vehicles are complex vehicles that require routine maintenance as well as any necessary repairs or emergency repairs. Training of the staff that will be doing these repairs is continuing. These staff are currently helping to support the vehicles during the testing programme. Schedule and start of service The most recent schedule called for start of service in December 2018. As noted in the previous update report (September 19, 2018), this schedule was based on receiving all fourteen Bombardier vehicles with specialized equipment and the vehicles approved for service by the end of December 2018. The September report also noted that a number of issues could impact the schedule, including delivery of ready for service vehicles, system integration and/or testing issue, driver and mechanic training and safety certification. Although progress has been made since the September report, several items have been delayed which has impacted the overall schedule. Installation of the specialized equipment is taking longer than anticipated in the September report and achieving PAC approval has also been delayed. The trains that have been delivered have had unanticipated minor issues that have impacted their availability for driver and system testing. These issues are being addressed (or will be) but the overall schedule has been impacted. The driver training and mechanic training has been impacted by reduced availability of vehicles. Safety certification while progressing is also taking longer than was anticipated in the September report. Completion of all this work is not keeping up 2846503 Page 5 of 9
with the aggressive schedule required to start service in December 2018. Installation of the specialized equipment on the final vehicle is now anticipated to be by early February. Following the completion of the installations there are still required tests and demonstrations to compete prior to going into full service. Based on the current schedule for the delivery of Bombardier vehicles and GrandLinq s schedule for system integration testing, and driver and mechanic training, it is expected that service would start in spring 2019. Regional staff will continue to closely monitor Bombardier s and GrandLinq s progress and schedule, and will work diligently with them to get the system into service as soon as it is feasible and safe to do so. Staff will also exercise all financial and legal mechanisms available to the Region to expedite the schedule and minimize any negative impacts on the Region. Starting service in spring 2019 aligns with the start of spring service for Grand River Transit and will allow the LRT service to integrate smoothly into the overall transit network. Events An ION vehicle has been present at some upcoming community events, with further events scheduled. The vehicle is parked at an ION station during these events, providing residents an opportunity to view and board a vehicle. At these events, ION staff provide safety information, service information and answer questions from residents and visitors. GRT staff also provide information on network changes and light rail integration. These events include: September 6 Waterloo Fest (Waterloo Public Square station) Complete September 19 University of Waterloo station (University of Waterloo station) Complete October 4 Oktoberfest (Waterloo Public Square station) Complete October 5 Oktoberfest (Kitchener City Hall) Complete October 26 UW convocation (University of Waterloo station) Complete vember 24 The ION train will visit a number of stations throughout the ION route. Specific details will be provided closer to the date. December 7 Christkindl Market (Kitchener City Hall station) During the first five events, over 2,835 residents and visitors boarded and toured the ION vehicle. Regional staff will continue to look for opportunities to engage with residents in order to provide information on ION service and safety. Information on future events will continue to be shared through these updates. These events have been reviewed, approved and timed to not impact any testing or training that could impact start of service 2846503 Page 6 of 9
Corporate Strategic Plan: The report supports Focus Area 3.1 of Council s Strategic Focus: Develop an implementation plan for light rail transit including corridor and station area planning. Financial Implications: The approved capital budget for the LRT project totals $868 million, with funding provided by the Federal Government ($265 million), Provincial government ($325 million) with the balance funded by the Region including the repayment over the next 30 years of $131 million of funding provided by GrandLinq. The RT project and some Grand River Transit service improvements are funded though annual property tax increases in the three cities until 2019 and related fare revenue. Currently it is anticipated that the schedule changes and associated costs can all be accommodated within the approved rapid transit funding strategy. As has been noted in previous reports the Region will seek to recover from Bombardier any additional costs incurred as a result of the delays in vehicle delivery. Other Department Consultations/Concurrence: This report was prepared with input from Corporate Services. Attachments: Table 1: Current Status of Light Rail Vehicles Table 2: Testing Status Prepared By: Thomas Schmidt, Commissioner, Transportation and Environmental Services Approved By: Thomas Schmidt, Commissioner, Transportation and Environmental Services 2846503 Page 7 of 9
Table 1: Current Status of Light Rail Vehicles All vehicles are currently owned by Bombardier and have not been accepted by the Region. Vehicle Number Location 501 Kingston 502 Waterloo 503 Waterloo 504 Waterloo 505 Waterloo 506 Waterloo 507 Waterloo 508 Waterloo Waiting for parts. 509 Waterloo 510 Kingston 511 Waterloo 512 Waterloo 513 Waterloo 514 Kingston Current Status Specialized On-board equipment installation ongoing Inspection by Region scheduled for: vember 8 and 9, 2018. Inspection by scheduled for Region: vember 15 and 16, 2018. Inspection by scheduled for Region: vember 20 and 21, 2018. Vehicle used for system testing, training, and undergoing modifications. Vehicle used for system testing, training, and undergoing modifications. Vehicle used for system testing, training, and undergoing modifications. Vehicle used for system testing, training, and undergoing modifications. Inspection by Region d on October 25 and 26, 2018. Vehicle used for system integration testing with on-board equipment turned on. Vehicle used for system integration testing with on-board equipment turned on. Vehicle used for system integration testing with on-board equipment turned on. Specialized On-board equipment installation starting in vember GrandLinq On-board Equipment Installation 35% 100% 94% 51% 100% 100% 100% 100% PAC 2846503 Page 8 of 9
Table 2: Testing Status Location Test Status tes Kingston Bombardier Qualification On going Multi (coupled) vehicle testing is ongoing. Waterloo Region Bombardier Qualification On going Towed multi-vehicle testing. Will resume with two car operational testing once Kingston testing. Next planned tests include Wayside information uploading system to allow vehicle diagnostics to be transmitted to the control centre from terminal stations. Waterloo Region GrandLinq System Integration On going Testing started on vehicles with specialized onboard equipment. Testing will include Radios, Automatic Train Protection (allows train to run faster on railway right of ways), Traffic Signal Priority, Automatic Vehicle Location, and Track Switch System and on-board systems to control gates, crossings, and traffic signals. Waterloo Region Vehicle Burn-in t started Planned to be started once reliability modifications are d on vehicles. Waterloo Region Vehicle Burn-in Dry-run On hold. Software upgrades are required. Waterloo Region Simulation / Demonstration t started System is run as if it was in service, but will not be picking up passengers. Last step in test process, all other tests need to be d first. 2846503 Page 9 of 9