INTRODUCTION
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), under Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 49, Part 659, requires each State to designate an agency to oversee the safety of rail fixed guide way systems. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has issued General Order (GO) 164-D to implement the provisions of 49 CFR 659 which requires a safety certification program to be in place for major projects. The safety certification program was developed for the CPUC, in accordance with CPUC requirements, and will be made available to other agencies, including the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Vintage Trolley (Vintage Trolley) is a historic Presidential Conference Car (PCC) streetcar operation utilizing an existing loop of track through the San Diego downtown area. The line segment selected for this operation runs clockwise from the 12th and Imperial Transit Center along the Bayside Corridor to America Plaza, traveling east on C Street, then south on Park Blvd. to complete its loop at the 12th and Imperial Transit Center. This route is the most visible segment of the San Diego Trolley system and serves a large population of residents, workers, and tourists. The addition of historic streetcars will augment regular trolley service during limited mid-day hours on weekends.
The Vintage Trolley will initially use one historic PCC streetcar, the same vintage that served San Diego from 1936-1945. As additional PCC's are restored, a second will be deployed, others will be used as spares for while PCC vehicles are undergoing maintenance or additional service is required. Operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Vintage Trolley falls to the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System(SDMTS). SDMTS is responsible for maintenance of the overhead catenary and track systems, operation and maintenance of the vehicles, and training of mechanics and train operators.
The track over which the SDVTI operates is existing currently used by the San Diego Trolley, a light rail operation and part of the SDMTS operating system.
Exhibit 1: Silver Line Vintage Trolley Service
This Safety Certification Plan (SCP) applies to the Vintage Trolley Rolling Stock, specifically compliance of vehicles with CPUC GO 143-B, testing, start-up, commissioning and support of Vintage Trolley operations utilizing existing infrastructure specifically Overhead Catenary System traction & substation power, rail, track and Train to Wayside control systems. The plan may be revised and expanded as the project progresses.
The intent of the SCP is to identify the processes to verify and document that the rehabilitation of existing systems and installation of new systems and equipment are in compliance with safety requirements; training, operations and maintenance manuals have been provided; rules and procedures are written; and operations personnel are trained in the rules and procedures. Additionally, it provides a framework for ensuring that appropriate safety related activities have been performed and documented to support each Certificate of Conformance issued.
The SCP objectives are to verify by documentation prior to commencing trolley operations involving Vintage Trolley Rolling Stock that each of the following is accomplished for the certifiable elements.
· Identified, assessed, and resolved system safety hazards to acceptable levels for all conditions, associated with the completed project;
· Review Vehicle Equipment and Performance verifying conformance with all applicable safety requirements of GO 143-B as well as applicable local codes with respect to safety.
· Facilitated regulatory inspection of Vintage Trolley Rolling Stock.
· Developed the necessary operating procedures, and rule book modifications prior to commencing Vintage Trolley operations.
· Trained, qualified or certified San Diego Trolley, Inc. personnel who will operate and maintain the Vintage Trolley Rolling Stock.
Definition of Safety Certification
Safety Certification is the process of verifying compliance with a set of formal safety requirements. For Vintage Trolley vehicle certification, the process will ensure that the required verification activities are performed and documented, and Certificates of Conformance are signed and issued by responsible parties.
The goal of the Safety Certification Program is to verify that all practical steps are taken to optimize the operational safety of the San Diego Vintage Trolley, Inc. (Vintage Trolley). This report will confirm, at the time of final inspection and completion all identified safety-critical elements are safe for passengers, employees, emergency responders, and the general public before start of revenue operation.
The program will be conducted by SDMTS/San Diego Trolley, Inc., a self-certifying agency, under the auspices of San Diego Vintage Trolley, Inc. with input from the Transportation, Safety and Light Rail Vehicle Maintenance Departments.
The San Diego Trolley System Safety Manager is responsible for overseeing the activities of the Safety Certification Plan, and chairing the Safety Review Committee (SRC) defined in Section 3.1. A summary of the safety certification program responsibilities is shown in Table 1-1.
San Diego Trolley Responsibility
San Diego Trolley Inc. is responsible for certifying the safety of the Vintage Trolley rolling stock, rehabilitation, modernization, testing, and compliance with CPUC guidelines as well as applicable state and local codes. San Diego Trolley Inc. is responsible for confirming rules and procedures are developed and implemented and Operations and maintenance training must be completed. The PCC vehicle will be tested and safety certified in incremental segments. As each segment is certified, San Diego Trolley inc. will prepare a Project Segment Safety Certificate (PSSC), which will be maintained in the Vintage Trolley Vehicle History book. Safety Certification Verification Records will be readily available for CPUC inspection.
The CPUC is responsible for review and approval of the Vintage Trolley System Safety Certification Plan. In addition, the CPUC is involved in reviewing the rehabilitation project status. Staff inspectors may participate in and witness testing and operational maintenance readiness of the project. Besides reviewing and approving these documents, CPUC staff may request Vintage Trolley Safety Certification Verification Records and supporting documentation at all phases of the project such as hazard analysis, conformance checklists, etc.
Table 1: Summary of Vintage Trolley System and Equipment Safety Certification Program Primary Responsibilities
# |
Safety Certification Tasks |
Responsibility |
2. |
Safety Certification Plan (SCP) for Vintage Trolley | |
Prepare Draft Safety Certification Plan (SCP) |
SDTI | |
Internal Review and Comment |
SDTI | |
Incorporate Comments and Finalize for Submittal to CPUC |
SDTI | |
Send formal SCP to CPUC Staff for review & approval |
SDTI | |
CPUC Review and Comment |
CPUC | |
Respond to CPUC Comments |
SDTI | |
Formal Approval of SCP by Commission |
CPUC | |
10. |
Develop GO 143-B Conformance Checklist | |
Develop Checklist |
SDTI | |
12. |
Develop Design Criteria Conformance Checklists | |
Develop Checklist |
SDTI | |
14. |
Conduct Independent Safety Audits | |
Periodic Through Design |
||
16. |
Verify GO 143-B Conformance Checklists and Issue Certificates | |
Complete the Checklist |
SDTI | |
Review of content and reference checks, Issue Certificate |
||
19. |
Develop Safety-Related Testing Conformance Checklists | |
Develop Safety-Related Testing Conformance Checklists |
SDTI / CPUC | |
21. |
Verify Specification Conformance Checklists | |
Inspect/Monitor Contractor Compliance with Specifications |
SDTI / CPUC | |
Complete Checklist |
||
Review of content and reference checks |
||
Issue Certificate |
||
26. |
Verify Safety-Related Testing Conformance Checklists | |
Receive/Review/Confirm Adequacy of Agency Provided Testing Data |
CPUC | |
Complete Checklist |
SDTI / CPUC | |
Review of content and reference checks |
CPUC | |
Issue Certificate |
SDTI | |
31. |
Field verification and inspection of equipment installed | |
Monitor installation and equipment inspection |
CPUC | |
CPUC provided opportunity to inspect project progress |
CPUC | |
34. |
Verify crossover and signaling activation of existing equipment | |
Required by GO164-D, 49 CFR Part 213, 49CFR Part 236. May not apply as all are existing crossings. |
SDTI | |
36. |
Verify Operations & Maintenance Manuals Conformance | |
Receive SDTI provided manuals and route for review and approval |
CPUC | |
CPUC review and comment on Draft Operations & Maintenance Manuals |
CPUC | |
Review/Comment/Approval manuals routed by SDTI |
SDTI | |
Issue Certificate |
SDTI | |
41. |
Verify completion of Integrated Tests | |
Monitor Testing and Receive SDTI provided test data |
CPUC | |
CPUC provided opportunity to witness performance of tests |
CPUC | |
Review/Oversight of Integrated Tests |
SDTI | |
Issue Certificate |
SDTI | |
46. |
Verify completion of Rules and Procedures | |
Develop operating rules and Standard Operating Procedures for Vintage Trolley |
SDTI | |
CPUC review and comment on Draft Operating Rules & Procedures for Vintage Trolley |
CPUC | |
Confirm final Rules and Procedures are implemented |
SDTI | |
Issue Certificate |
SDTI | |
51. |
Verify completion of Operations Training | |
Develop Operations Training Plan |
SDTI | |
Conduct Training Sessions |
SDTI | |
CPUC provided opportunity to witness operations training |
CPUC | |
Confirm completion of Training sessions |
SDTI | |
Issue Certificate |
SDTI | |
Scope of Safety Certification Program
The safety-certifiable elements of the Vintage Trolley were developed in cooperation with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) per GO 143-B requirements conformance in a Safety Certification Plan (SCP) developed in the service planning stages. The following outlines the methodology employed:
Define and identify those safety-critical system elements to be certified:
· Safety Certification of Vintage Trolley Vehicles
· Safety Certification of Operating Practices
· Vintage Trolley Dynamic Envelope - verify out swing of Vintage Trolley PCC vehicle dynamic clearance is maintained when another SDTI train passes at the Americana Plaza Transfer Station.
· Grade Crossing Approach Activation - verify Vintage Trolley activates grade crossing protection warning devices on the Bayside Corridor.
· Substation Power - verify relays & circuit breakers do not open when Vintage Trolley draws power (works as intended)
· Overhead Contact Wire - verify overhead contact clearance of 19' above top-of-rail and side clearances are met per GO95 requirements
· Signal System - verify Vintage Trolley vehicle Train-Wayside- Communication loop sends/receives correct route call and indications at Switch 31 at the Broadway Wye and Switch 15 north of Imperial Transfer Station.
· Station Clearances - verify Vintage Trolley vehicle gap is acceptable at all station platforms along the Silver Line.
· Emergency Response Familiarization - orientation to Vintage Trolley vehicle access for Fire/Life Safety Issues
· Radio Communications - verify Vintage Trolley is capable of sending/receiving radio communications with Operations Control Center.
The following steps (2-8) are repeated for each system element.
52. Define and develop a Certifiable Items List (CIL).
53. Identify safety requirements.
54. Verify and document compliance with the safety requirements.
55. Identify and verify that operation, maintenance, and training plans, procedures and programs have been established.
56. Identify and verify that safety-related tests have been conducted.
57. Document any exceptions to the requirements.
58. Resolve all open items.
59. The Safety Certification Process is completed with these final steps, the contents of which are presented in the Appendices of the report.
60. Issue Certificate of Conformance for each certifiable element or sub-element upon satisfactory completion.
61. Issue project Safety Certification.
Table 2: Certifiable Factors and Scope (See Safety Certification reports for further details)
# |
Certifiable Factor |
Scope |
62. |
Safety Certification of Vehicles |
This certifiable factor will apply to the Vintage Trolley rolling Stock as a whole. One Certificate of Conformance will be issued to certify compliance with CPUC GO 143-B as well as other applicable state and local codes. |
63. |
Safety Certification of Operating Practices |
This certifiable factor will apply to the development of Standard operating procedures to be put in place for the operation of the Vintage Trolley Vehicles. |
64. |
Vintage Trolley Dynamic Envelope |
This certifiable factor will Confirm the out swing of the Vintage Trolley rolling stock. This will ensure Vintage Trolley vehicle dynamic clearances are maintained when passing an SDTI LRV consist at America Plaza Transfer Station |
65. |
Grade Crossing Approach Activation |
This certifiable factor will verify that the Vintage Trolley activates the grade crossing gates on the Bayside Corridor. |
66. |
Substation Power |
This certifiable factor will Verify that all relays and circuit breakers do not open when Vintage Trolley draws power (work as intended) |
67. |
Overhead Contact Wire |
This certifiable factor certifies Overhead Contact Wire clearance of 19' above top of rail is maintained and side rail clearances are met as per CPUC GO 95 requirements. |
68. |
Signal System |
This certifiable factor will Verify that the Vintage Trolley vehicle TWC equipment sends / receives correct route call to sign aspects at switch 31 and switch 15 at the 3rd track entering the Imperial Transfer station. |
69. |
Station Clearances |
This certifiable factor will verify Vintage Trolley vehicle gap is acceptable at station platforms along the silver line. |
70. |
Emergency Response Familiarization |
This certifiable factor will verify orientation to the Vintage Trolley vehicle access for Fire / Life Safety response. |
71. |
Radio Communications |
This certifiable factor will verify that the Vintage Trolley is capable of sending and receiving audio communications with the Operations Control Center. |
Safety Certification Plan Revisions
The SCP will be revised as necessary. Changes may be proposed by any department and submitted in writing to the San Diego Trolley Systems Safety Manager for review and consideration. The Safety Review Committee, defined in Section 3.1, will review and approve the changes to the Plan. The revised Plan will be submitted to CPUC for approval of proposed revisions, in accordance with General Order 164-D. The revised Plan will become effective when the revisions are approved by CPUC Staff.
