Development of guideway and conductor rail heating for people movers in a winter environment

Abstract

Winter operation poses new requirements for Automated Rapid Transit. Westinghouse Transportation Division, with it's history in the field of mass rapid transit and a leadership role in automated people mover systems, undertook the design challenge of winter operation. The evolution of two major wayside subsystem, i.e., Rall Heating and Guideway Heating, were the direct result of winter operation product development programs. The power and signal conducting rails are maintained using heat trace cable in combination with a inherently protected rail. Efficient reliable heating is realized with "self-limiting heating cable" and insulation on non-contact surfaces. Efficient heating of the concrete guideway running surface, is accomplished through an energy managed operation. Near surface installation of heating elements is combined with a temperature sensitive, variable power control system and the use of mechanical snow removal.