Project Number:
AR 07-13
Research Project:
Evaluating the Feasibility of Electrified Rail at the Ports of LA/LB
P.I. Name & Address:
Dr. Kenneth A. James
California State University at Long Beach
Department of Electrical Engineering
ECS Room 561
Long Beach, CA 90840
E-mail: james@csulb.edu
Web Site: http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/coe/ee/views/personnel/fulltime_emeritus/james.shtml
Phone: (562) 985-5105
Project Objective:
This project will first quantify the amount of near-dock rail at the San Pedro Bay ports and propose a design and operational approach to electrifying the Port's near-dock rail. In particular, application of both (1) electro-diesel locomotives – as presently used on the east coast – and (2) recently developed "block switching" used for economy and safety on new electric transport systems will be projected onto the Port electric rail infrastructure.
Electro-diesel locomotives are similar to the diesel-electric locomotives already operating throughout the Los Angeles basin in both freight and passenger service, but with the added capability of directly powering their electric motors from a covered third-rail. "Diesel" locomotives are not like diesel trucks, in that the diesel engine is the power source but not the motive force. If a diesel locomotive operated similar to a truck it would require a massive (and inefficient) transmission to couple the engine's power to the wheels. Instead, a locomotive's diesel engine drives an electric generator which in turn powers electric motors directly coupled to the wheels. The electric motors in a diesel-electric locomotive act as an "electric" transmission, as well as adding weight to the locomotive for more tractive power. These locomotives are essentially "electric" locomotives carrying their own electrical power supply; free of the requirement of a "shoe" contacting a powered third-rail below or the more expensive pantograph contacting power lines overhead. This freedom from connection to an additional electrical distribution structure has caused the almost total elimination of electric rail in favor of the less cumbersome diesel-electric systems.
However, some applications exist that require the hybrid electro-diesel systems. Freight and passenger rail near New York city utilize their diesel generators on two-rail tracts through Long Island and Connecticut, but when entering the necessary rail tunnels in the vicinity of the city drop a hydraulic "shoe" onto an added, powered third-rail and discontinue electrical generation with their diesels to conform to ordinances prohibiting locomotives from emitting smoke within the tunnels. Such locomotives have been manufactured by both General Electric and General Motors (see graphics). These same engines have applicability for LA electrified rail. One major concern is safety of a third rail system. This is where a more state-of-the-art technology, "block-switching" can be applied.
A third-rail in a tunnel, or switch yard with limited access, has minimal safety issues. However in a rail switching environment like the port or ICTF, safety is a major concern. Location sensitive block-switching uses the position of a locomotive on a track to apply voltage only to lengths of the third-rail being used by the locomotive. Typically a closed radio system – or GPS – covering a third-rail distribution network monitors the location of locomotives during either switchyard or line-haul situations. Computer control provides power only to third-rail segments ("blocks") being used by the locomotive, causing most of the unused track to be un-powered and as safe or safer as an overhead catenary.
Goods movement through the Ports of San Pedro has bogged down in recent years due to truck congestion caused by the rapid increase in container traffic, and the local communities' understandable reluctance to added pollution that accompanies port growth. The immediate solution for truck congestion is on-dock rail. The solution to the air and noise pollution caused by increased rail movement is rail electrification. The objective of this project is to demonstrate a combination of available, standardized equipment that will minimize the cost of rail electrification in the LA basin, and hence facilitate operation of "shuttle-trains" for both commercial and military goods movement.
Task Descriptions
The program requires approximately a semester of half-time effort and a summer of full-time effort from one electrical engineering or goods movement logistics graduate student. The principal investigator on a part-time basis will provide project direction and documentation.
Research Approach:
(1) Quantify, by terminal, the amount of existing and planned on-dock rail at the Ports of San Pedro
(2) Benchmark technology of both third-rail retrofit to conventional track and block-switching
(3) Evaluate and document applicability of "location sensitive" third-rail, block switching to the Ports. The engineering tasks will be performed by the College of Engineering for a total cost of $40K.
Milestones, Dates:
June 1, 2007 – May 31, 2008
Total Budget:
$40,000
Student Involvement:
One student at 40% effort, 12 months
One student at 5% effort, 12 months
Relationship to Other Research Projects:
Related to 07-11; part of the goods movement focus area
Technology Transfer Activities:
Project report posted on the website
Potential Benefits of the Project:
Facilitating rail electrification at ports, specifically the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach
TRB Keywords:
On dock rail, GPS, electro-diesel locomotives, electrified rail, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Ports, Block-switching
