Tracking Trains in Houston | USA
train-detectionUnited States of America

Tracking Trains in Houston

Operator
MTA Houston
Country
United States of America
Partner
MEC Mass Electric Corp.
Segment
Main & Regional Line
Application
Track Vacancy Detection
Products
FAdC®, RSR180
Year
2016
Scope of project
565 wheel sensors, 103 equipment locations

Houston MetroRail (METRO for short) is comprised of three light-rail lines covering 22 miles. Two-car, low-floor trainsets are powered by overhead catenary and operated on a mix of rail types, including embedded, grooved, concrete, and ballasted track. Harsh weather conditions such as extreme heat, humidity, and storms with heavy rains causing floods are typical for Houston. Combined with the variable track structure this caused significant malfunctions of the wheel sensors of METRO’s signalling system.

In order to improve the system, METRO conducted trial installations with several suppliers of axle counter solutions to demonstrate features and the overall performance of their respective products. Due to the complicated track structure and environmental conditions, Frauscher quickly understood that the required wheel sensors had to be simple to install, immune to extreme heat as well as waterproof as floods could easily occur. The trial results demonstrated that the Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdC® met all of METRO’s requirements in terms of environmental influences, interfaces, reliability and seamless integration into the existing infrastructure.

The flexible design of the FAdC® allows efficient data transfer via relay interface to the traffic control system and interlocking. Additionally, two optional intelligent functions, Supervisor Track Sections and Counting Head Control, were used to counter the effects of unexpected influences such as metallic debris. The installed Frauscher Wheel Sensor RSR180 is extremely robust and not affected by any environmental influences.

In total, 565 Wheel Sensors RSR180 were installed along the rail line, and the axle counter Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdC® in 103 locations throughout the network to guarantee a flawless operation of the line.

Excellent match of requirements

The Frauscher axle counting solution met all of METRO’s environmental, interface and reliability requirements. The straightforward installation and smooth transition from the existing train detection system was highly appreciated by the operator.

Reduction of costs

The new system caused a significant reduction in down time and maintenance costs, which will continue to add up over the lifecycle of the system. The additional smart functionalities that were implemented increased the availability of the system even further.

Similar Projects
This might also interest you
1/5
train-detectionPoland

Metro Warsaw

Metro Warsaw was looking for an alternative to track circuits for the line M2, to increase the availability of public transport by using reliable signalling technology. In the end, the operator even decided to replace the existing track circuits on line M1 with the Frauscher Axle Counter ACS200.
train-detection, servicesIndia

Sini - Chandil Railway Line

The Sini-Chandil railway line is a crucial rail connection located in the state of Jharkhand, which lies in the eastern coastal region of India. This railway line holds significant strategic importance for the entire region, and now incorporates Frauscher solutions, including the Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdC®, Wheel Sensor RSR180 and the Frauscher Insights applications Diagnostics and Motion.
train-detectionCanada

Edmonton Metro Line

The Edmonton Metro Line was experiencing significant issues with its newly installed Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, which did not perform to the operator‘s expectations. The city was forced to run an incomplete schedule with reduced train speed and frequency which negatively affected commuters and the city of Edmonton in general. Finally in 2019, the operator decided to install a new system in cooperation with Frauscher.
train-detectionChina

Beijing Metro Line 12

The Beijing Metro Line 12 is the first metro line that combines Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdC® and Railway Signal Safety Protocol Type I (RSSP-I). The line is currently under construction and expected to be put into operation at the end of 2024.
train-detectionFinland

Kokkola

Frauscher supplied one of Finland’s busiest railway lines with new Axle Counters. The line was extended from a single to a double track section and Mipro was looking for a solution which can interface with their interlocking system in an efficient and cost effective way.