This document describes the support facilities and technical expertise available to transit authorities and other potential users of the Transportation Test Center (TTC) located near Pueblo, Colorado. These users also are given information concerning transit test program initiation, test track engineering, and cost sharing with the Federal Government. Several rail cars have been successfully tested at the Center. These include the San Francisco and Boston light rail vehicles, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Cars, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority cars, and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority cars. Located in the Center's main area is the Rail Dynamics Laboratory (RDL). Within the RDL is the Roll Dynamics Unit and the Vibration Test Unit. By using two 100-ton cranes, vehicles can be placed on either test machine to undergo a variety of test programs. The Transit Maintenance Building provides back-up support and contains a 100-foot service pit area. The Transit Test Track (TTT) at the TTC is a 9.1-mile oval and is used for testing urban rail vehicles. Located within the TTT is the tight-turn loop, a 150-foot radius test track used in the investigation of wheel noise, car curving, and suspension system stability. Power stations provide a constant voltage to the TTT through a third rail. A minimum test program of sixteen weeks is typical and consists of three major phases: Phase I, Vehicle Preparation; Phase II, Specification Compliance and Performance Assessment; and Phase III, Reliability Tests. A fourth phase may be added depending on the special requirements of the transit car.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Transportation Test Center: Rail Transit Services


    Contributors:
    J. Torpey (author) / M. Ruggles (author) / P. Spencer (author) / C. S. Willet (author) / A. Kenyon (author)

    Publication date :

    1981


    Size :

    34 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English