1. CBTC from the start: 28 years of SkyTrain in Vancouver
12th March 2014 Conference The Hatton London, UK
CBTC from the start: 28 years of SkyTrain in Vancouver
Ian R Graham
Manager (retiring) Operations Planning
Expo/Millennium Lines
BC Rapid Transit Company, Burnaby, Canada

2. CBTC: More than a signalling system
12th March 2014 Conference The Hatton London, UK
CBTC: More than a signalling system
Ian R Graham
Manager (retiring) Operations Planning
Expo/Millennium Lines
BC Rapid Transit Company, Burnaby, Canada

3. Vancouver in context
>3 decades of history and development since 1980 – a different starting point now.
Green field – a clean start.
No regional interoperability issues.
Proprietary technology, but generally applicable experience.

4. Vancouver, Canada Canada’s 3rd largest city
metro area 2.5 million in 2013
3 million by 2027?
was 1.5 million in 1980 (SkyTrain decision)

5. Technology
Urban Transportation Development Corporation (UTDC), now part of Bombardier
small lightweight cars
steerable trucks
linear induction motors (LIM)
SelTrac S40 inductive loop ATC system (Thales)
full operational dependence on primary system – no axle counters or other “backup” systems.
ongoing evolution of functionality around the original system principles

7. Expo/Millennium Lines
1986: 21 km / 15 stns / 114 cars / 20M pass/year
now: 49 km / 33 stns / 258 cars / 80M pass/year
2016: plus 11 km / 6 stns / 28 cars
future: discussions of extensions; $$$?

8. Canada Line: same but different
opened in 2009
separate line (non-interoperable), but integral part of the transit system
P3 project with 30 year concession
19 km / 16 stns / 40 cars (larger) / 40M pass/year
Rotem cars, with AC rotary motors
Seltrac ATC, similar to Expo/Millennium
generally similar operational approach

10. SkyTrain, Vancouver BC Canada
5 km
5 mi
SkyTrain, Vancouver BC Canada
Millennium Line (2002)
Evergreen Line (2016)
Broadway-UBC (future)
Expo Line ( )
Canada Line ( separate P3 operation)
Surrey extension (future)
January 16, 2007 10

11. The commitment to automate
Automation experience in the 1970’s
High dependence on signalling in “manual” systems
An attendant to watch a machine drive itself?
Eliminating the cab – no turning back

12. Unattended Train Operation (UTO)
SkyTrain is:
not only automated
not only driverless
it operates trains primarily in unattended mode
Unchaining the driver from the cab makes a fundamental customer service difference.
The SkyTrain system is not unstaffed;
not about eliminating staff or unions

13. Operating staff levels
BCRTC total 600 staff for O&M
Operations staff on duty (per shift) for:
33 stations, 49 km, trains
Field:
38 SkyTrain Attendants (STAs)
4 Field Supervisors
1 Duty Manager
Control:
7 Control Operators (ATC, power, alarms, communications)

14. Original issues and concerns
No driver to view the track ahead
full track segregation
intrusion detection system (no platform screen doors)
No on-board personnel
passenger security features (intercom, alarm, PA)
door safety (positive interlocking; “pushback” feature)
system reliability and redundancy
Unattended stations
design, CCTV, communications; passenger self-service
=> organizational confidence / public acceptance

15. CBTC/UTO achievements (1)
SkyTrain, Vancouver BC Canada
CBTC/UTO achievements (1)
throughput
108 sec. sustained AM/PM 3-hour peaks
96 sec. average, inner 6 stations, 2-hour AM peak
95 sec. target future headway
80 sec. “recovery” headway at terminus => 75 sec. potential
increased service frequency
same operating cost with shorter trains at higher frequency =>less waiting time for passenger
travel time (average in-service speed)
optimized and consistent speed control =>shorter travel time
headway consistency
all “drivers” are the same => variation and bunching are reduced
January 16, 2007 15

16. CBTC/UTO achievements (2)
SkyTrain, Vancouver BC Canada
CBTC/UTO achievements (2)
delay recovery
no recovery (rest) time required for drivers at end stations; insertion of spare trains in front of delayed train
schedule adjustments
additions or reductions based on demand
special events
additional trains without extra drivers (some extra staff may still be needed to manage crowds and supplement fare collection)
alternative service (planned / unplanned)
preplanned for maintenance, or unplanned for emergencies
January 16, 2007

17. CBTC/UTO achievements (3)
SkyTrain, Vancouver BC Canada
CBTC/UTO achievements (3)
safety
automated train control minimizes routine human error, although giving up opportunity for human discretion
fleet productivity
higher average speed and reduced end-station turnaround means fewer vehicles, and smaller yard, to serve the same ridership
yard flexibility and productivity
automation of storage lanes and some maintenance tracks allow trains to be launched, returned, and inspected, with minimal driving
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18. CBTC/UTO achievements (4)
SkyTrain, Vancouver BC Canada
CBTC/UTO achievements (4)
fault response
SkyTrain Attendants (STAs) can deal with many train faults while the train is still in service, minimizing delay or disruption
passenger emergency
STAs can respond to passenger emergencies
customer assistance
STAs available to assist customers with directions, information, fare payment, etc.
January 16, 2007 18

19. Ongoing and future challenges
Proprietary technology
Technology obsolescence and upgrades
Maintenance and upgrades of aging system
Growth – getting better to stay the same
“More than a signalling system” -- CBTC is not a “get and forget” system

20. Conclusions
A rapid transit system is always a “work in progress”. CBTC, and the related commitment to UTO, has provided Vancouver with a successful, well-used, efficient rapid transit system, and provided a relevant reference point to other cities around the world.

21. SkyTrain, Vancouver BC Canada
January 16, 2007 21

22. SkyTrain, Vancouver BC Canada
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