Rail operator deploys Siemens technology for newly opened light rail line

TriMet's new MAX Orange Line, a light rail project between Portland and Milwaukie in the US incorporates Siemens’ advanced rail technologies, including its S70 light rail vehicles, rail signalling and communication systems and the company's first Sitras SES energy storage unit in the US that uses regenerative braking to sustainably power the line. The 12 kilometre line is the region's sixth construction project of the development project Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) to expand the city's transport net
September 22, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
1272 TriMet's new MAX Orange Line, a light rail project between Portland and Milwaukie in the US incorporates 189 Siemens’ advanced rail technologies, including its S70 light rail vehicles, rail signalling and communication systems and the company's first Sitras SES energy storage unit in the US that uses regenerative braking to sustainably power the line.

The 12 kilometre line is the region's sixth construction project of the development project Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) to expand the city's transport network to cope with expected population growth in the Portland area. The line will improve transit in the corridor that extends from the terminus of the MAX Green and Yellow lines at Portland State University in Downtown Portland to Milwaukie and North Clackamas County.

The newly redesigned light rail vehicles were built based on input from TriMet and passengers and include better sight lines for the driver, more ergonomically designed main cabins and larger displays for train operators so they are better able to monitor the vehicle's status to improve safety and efficiency. Maintenance enhancements were made based on TriMet's feedback including rearrangement of systems to increase accessibility to key components on the vehicles and improved diagnostic systems.

The innovative regenerative rail energy storage technology allows for energy created during braking to be stored and then re-used in one of two forms, energy savings or voltage stabilisation during peak demand times. TriMet will utilise the system in voltage stabilisation mode, which enables the system to avoid disruptions that can occur in mass transit operations if power drops below a certain level. The Sitras SES ensures the system voltage always remains within the required range and voltage-related disruptions no longer occur.

Related Content

  • Siemens wins metro deal in India
    August 14, 2013
    German technology company Siemens has secured a US$93.04 million contract from IL&FS Rail for the construction of an extension of seven kilometres to the automated Gurgaon Metro in India. Under the deal, Siemens will supply seven new metro trains as well as installing train control and signalling systems. The project involves extension of the Gurgaon Metro line with a new seven kilometre long southern line. The new line will add six stations in the south-east of Gurgaon. “The Gurgaon metro project is a fi
    Read More
  • Alternative fuel buses gaining significant traction
    April 25, 2012
    According to a recent report from Pike Research, the trend toward cleaner transit buses will continue over the next several years, and by 2015 the cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts that alternative fuel vehicles will represent more than 50 per cent of the 64,000 total transit buses that will be delivered worldwide during that year, up from 28 per cent of total bus deliveries in 2010.
    Read More
  • Bombardier wins fleet operations and maintenance contract in Montreal
    November 23, 2016
    Rail technology specialist Bombardier Transportation has been awarded an eight-year contract by Montréal's Agence Métropolitaine de Transport (AMT) for the operations and maintenance of the AMT commuter rail fleet on all of its six lines in the greater Montréal area. The contract is valued at approximately US$246 million (CAD$331 million) and includes a two-year option. Bombardier has been providing maintenance services for AMT since 2010. This new contract not only covers the maintenance of AMT's entire
    Read More
  • Telensa lights up Hertfordshire
    November 27, 2014
    More than 12,600 street lights on Hertfordshire’s A-roads are being upgraded to LED lighting using Telensa’s PLANet street light central management system (CMS), which will allow the lights to be monitored from a central point. This will reduce inspection costs and make it easier to spot and repair any faults. The system will also allow lighting levels on the A-roads to be reduced during the night, rather than turning lights off completely. Once the new lights are installed, light levels will be reduced
    Read More

Highlighted Content