Rail IT background and motivation

We all experience accelerating technological progress everywhere around us. This trend – for better or worse – doesn’t stop at our most critical and vital infrastructures. Especially for Public Transit agencies, this trend of technological progress and innovation is inevitable and must be taken seriously to keep up with modern forms of transportation and changing needs of users of public transit systems. If introduced professionally, this trend enables remarkable advantages and new opportunities to both transportation providers and their customers – the passengers.

Rail IT® specializes in leveraging Information Technology trends to benefit Mass Transit Agencies and Transit Operators. Based on in-depth knowledge in conventional Rail Systems technology, which includes Train Control Systems and Wayside Signaling, Traction Power Systems, Communications, and Central Control Systems, Rail IT specializes in requirements analysis, design and integration of innovative technology in mission critical systems. Services include Cost-Benefit Analysis, Specification, Design and Implementation/Test of Rail IT Solutions.

Our services

Rail IT® provides Consulting and Engineering Services to clients in Mass Transit and Railroad Systems Infrastructure. Our services include Requirements Analysis, Specification, Design, Implementation, and Integration/Test of Mass Transit and Railroad systems and subsystems.

Rail IT’s strength and core competence is based on 25+ years of design, implementation, and understanding of Rail Transportation Systems from a holistic perspective. This includes:

  • Train Control Systems
  • Wayside Control Systems
  • Operations Control Centers and related communications subsystems
  • Station Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for field automation
  • Power SCADA, Substation Automation and Protection networks
  • Communications systems (CIBs, LANs, and WANs)
  • Passenger Information Systems
  • Operations and Maintenance Management Information Systems

Track Circuit Monitoring Systems (TCM)

A comprehensive understanding of Rail Control Systems and Rail Operations Business Processes enabled Rail IT to develop the Track Circuit Monitoring Tool (based on WMATA’s pioneering work with LOS recognition algorithms). TCM is managed under a continued product enhancement and improvement process.

Track Circuit Monitoring Tool services include:

Click to go to the TCM homepage

  • TCM product implementation and integration into agency’s Central Control Systems infrastructure.
  • TCM systems setup and track alignment data engineering
  • TCM product service and maintenance

Learn more about TCM here

Operation Control Centers (OCC) and SCADA

Rail IT has a solid understanding of OCC and SCADA monitoring and control functions including, but not limited to Automatic Train Monitoring and Tracking, Automatic Routing Setting, NX Routing, Timetable integration and on-time performance monitoring and schedule adherence, Automatic Train Regulation, Automatic Vehicle Location systems (AVL), Power and SCADA Facility Monitoring and Control, Analog value processing and Energy Management System functions.

Rail IT is also proficient in Human Factors and HMI standards and is experienced in user interface integration, focussing on usability and intuitive look and feel.

Design, Build, Operation, Maintenance (DBOM) in PPP Consortiums

See examples below (MTA PL, DTP)

Operations and Maintenance Services

Rail IT’s approach to maintenance includes the interrelationship between systems maintenance best practices, rehabilitation, and life cycle aspects. A primary objective is to keep the clients assets in a State-of-Good-Repair. In order to achieve these goals, our maintenance plans include timely and proactive equipment & software maintenance of the system. This ultimately results in prolonged asset life, prevents service disruptions, and maximizes reliability of service and operations for our customers.

Rail IT’s history in Operations and Maintenance services include the following:

  • Hardware maintenance of Rail Transit operational systems
  • Software maintenance (including Operating Systems and client application software)
  • Hardware and Software upgrades and/or extensions
  • Budget planning and systems lifecycle cost calculation
  • Risk and obsolescence assessments, recommendations for improvements, rehabilitation programs
  • Representation of Operations and Maintenance stakeholders in Design/Build consortiums to ensure that the solution meets operational needs

Our clients and projects

Below is an excerpt of projects resulting in most inspiring and constructive client/contractor engagements.

Track Circuit Monitoring Projects (TCM systems)

TCM Tool implementation at the following Mass Transit Agencies to monitor and alert abnormal Track Circuit operation:

  • WMATA Metrorail (Washington DC)
  • CTA (Chicago Transit)
  • MARTA (Atlanta)
  • RTD (Denver)
  • Tren Urbano (San Juan / PR) – pending

See details on these projects here

Research Project for the Transportation Research Board (TRB)

As a member of an APTA design team Rail IT participated in the research and development of a recommended practice for the implementation of a software based maintenance tool with the purpose to test and verify safe and reliable operation of Audio Frequency Track Circuits. Based on the work performed on the APTA program to develop a guideline, the TRB granted a program to provide the proof of concept to the industry for an appropriate tool and a reference installation for the successful implementation of the Track Occupancy and Safety Integrity Monitoring tool.

Rail IT founder (Frank) served as Principal Investigator on this TRB grant, titled Loss of Shunt (LOS) Tool Standardization and Deployment at CTA (Transit-83).

Denver-RTD – LRT Service

Rail IT implemented a TCM system at the Denver Regional Transit District (RTD). The TCM implementation at RTD’s light rail network is the first TCM deployment in an LRT style transit signaling environment. The LRT Alignment sections consisting of conventional wayside signaling, exclusive track alignment sections with ATP train protection, and mixed traffic in street running alignment sections. Throughout all types of alignment sections, TCM tracks trains coherently based on track circuit information and/or Train-to-Wayside Communication information.

See summary

MTA Purple Line

A Public–Private Partnership (PPP) Project. Working with the consortium on the PPP program to design, build, finance, operate and maintain (DBFOM) the MTA Purple Line. Responsibilities included Design, Specification, Documentation/Illustration, Pricing, and Lifecycle Cost calculation of all systems and subsystems covering Design/Build period as well as a 30-years Operations and Maintenance period.

See details here

Denver Transit Partners (DTP) – Commuter Rail Service between Denver Union Station and Denver Intl. Airport

A Public–Private Partnership (PPP) Project. Review of Systems Functional Requirements Specifications and Systems Design Specification in the area of Train Control and Power/Facility SCADA. Provided support to design teams for requirements definition and typical industry requirement standards.

Tren Urbano (Puerto Rico)

Rail IT works with Tren Urbano’s Operations and Maintenance Company (AHJV) to optimize processes and operating procedures. Designed, planned, implemented and integrated/tested expansion of Operations Control Center functionality to accommodate additional monitoring and control requirements. In collaboration with other suppliers, developed rehabilitation/upgrade program for OCC system, Communications, Power SCADA Protection network, Radio, Passenger Information Systems, CCTV, and Control Center Visualization system.

See details here