CALTRANS NEWS
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The Voluntary Diesel Retrofit and Automatic Engine Shutdown System for passenger trains was recognized with a “Regional Project of the Year” award. |
News
Rail Project Honored by Council
By Lisa Martin
The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) honored Caltrans Division of Rail (DOR) with a “Regional Project of the Year” award for its environmentally friendly Voluntary Diesel Retrofit and Automatic Engine Shutdown System for passenger trains. Equipment Technologies Branch Chief Steve Fretwell’s efforts were applauded at the Dec. 20, 2007 awards ceremony held in Sacramento. SACOG’s award recognized the project’s significant contribution to transportation in the region.
DOR’s mission is to provide and promote intercity passenger rail services while improving, expanding, and integrating all rail service into California's transportation system. The division currently manages and coordinates more than 4.1 million miles of intercity rail passenger services that improve the state's air quality and reduce highway congestion and fuel consumption. More than five million people used California's state-supported trains in fiscal year 2006-07.
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From left: Tom Cosgrove, Councilmember, City of Lincoln; Gregg Albright, Deputy Director, Planning and Modal Programs; Steve Fretwell, Chief, Equipment Technologies Branch, Division of Rail; Bill Bronte, Chief, Division of Rail; and Rusty Dupray, Supervisor, El Dorado County |
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) issued a Request for Applications (RFA) in May 2004 for "Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program Technology Demonstration Assistance Agreements to Benefit Sensitive Populations.” The following November, US EPA awarded a $150,000 grant to the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District for a demonstration program. Its goal was to fabricate and install a Cleaire Longview® diesel retrofit system to reduce diesel particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen on two head end power (HEP) units used to provide electrical power to the passenger cars operated by Caltrans. The Cleaire Longview® system was chosen because it was the only California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified and US EPA recognized emission control device able to reduce Level 3 particulate matter and nitrogen emissions.
DOR began the voluntary diesel retrofit program on Capitol Corridor passenger trains operating between the Bay area and Auburn via Sacramento. Changing how passenger cars are powered and introducing new lower emission engines while retrofitting existing diesel engines was expected to produce significant environmental benefits.
As the diesel retrofit progressed, DOR also realized they could reduce emissions by reengineering the HEP units that supply additional power to the train’s passenger cars. Stepping up to the additional challenge, DOR staff retrofitted and installed new HEP systems on two locomotives.
Although it was not an original project objective, DOR also designed and implemented an automatic engine shutdown system to prevent unnecessary idling during overnight layovers.
Congratulations to DOR staff for innovating cleaner and safer technologies to reduce emissions and provide the safest rail service possible.