1. Caltrain
Future Technology Assessment
Prepared for: Palo Alto Rail Committee
Prepared by: JPB
May 26, 2011

2. Committee Requested Topics
• Electrification Project (4/13/11)
• Electrification 35% Design (4/28/11)
• EMU vs. DMU (5/26/11)
• HSR and Caltrain MOU (TBD)

3. EMU vs. DMU
EMU DMU

4. Locomotive Hauled Consist (LHC)
• Typically one powered vehicle per
train
• Heavy – acceleration proportional to
train length

5. Electric Multiple Unit -- EMU
• Self propelled electric vehicles
• Distributed traction
• Light weight – good acceleration

6. Diesel Multiple Unit -- DMU
• Self propelled diesel-mechanical or
diesel-electric vehicles
• Distributed traction
• Medium weight – medium acceleration

7. Current EMU Market
SEPTA Silverliner V Metra Highliner
Alstom Coradia Siemens Desiro
Stadler KISS

8. Current DMU Market
Nippon Sharyo DMU (SMART) US Railcar (Portland WES)
Stadler GTW (Austin Cap Metro) Siemens Desiro (San Diego)
US Railcar Double Deck (SFRTA Miami)

9. How Local Needs Drive Vehicle
Selection (Recent Projects)
Number System Station Train Train Car
Boardings Headway Trains Vehicle
Railroad of Length Spacing Length Length Miles
per Day (min) per day Selected
Stations (miles) (miles) (cars) (seats) per Day
Caltrain* 23 47.3 2.1 71,000 6 600 10 114 32,353 EMU
Denver RTD ‐ East 7 23.2 3.3 2,590 4 360 15 149 13,827 EMU
Denver RTD ‐ Gold 8 11.4 1.4 1,350 2 180 15 145 3,306 EMU
SMART (full buildout) 14 70.2 5.0 6,550 2 158 30 30 4,212 DMU
eBART 3 10 3.3 3,900 2 100 15 200 4,000 DMU
*Future (2035) 6 TPH ‐ San Jose to San Francisco (assume Gilroy service continues as locomotive
hauled)

10. Caltrain-Specific Constraints
• Budget
• Right of Way
• ADA Accessibility
• Tunnel Clearance
• Platform Length
• Downtown Extension (Transbay)
– Tunnel height
– Exhaust fans

11. Uncertainties – 30-year Decisions
Energy Pricing
• Diesel
• Electricity
Changing Federal Regulations
• ADA
• EPA
Economy
• Funding
• Ridership
Technology Advancements

12. EMU vs SL-DMU vs DD-DMU Assumptions
• 2035 EIR Operation – 114 trains per day
• Try to maintain similar operating schedule –
maximize station stops and minimize trip time
• San Jose to San Francisco (Gilroy shuttle
independent of EMU/DMU)
• New EMUs or DMUs, Locomotives and coaches
retired or moved to Gilroy
• Fuel = $4.0 per gallon
• Electricity = $.09 per kWh
SL-DMU = single level DMU; DD-DMU = double deck DMU

13. Performance Comparison
Single Level Double Deck
Performance Item Bi‐Level EMU
DMU DMU
Train Length (number of cars) 6 8 4
Seating Capacity (passengers per car) 100 78 180
Powered Cars per Train Half All All*
Estimated One Way Energy Use 1,723 kWh 122 gal 73 gal
Acceleration Highest Middle Lowest
*Even with all cars powered, the number of station stops must be reduced to maintain
common trip time

14. Infrastructure Comparison
Bi‐Level Single Level Double Deck
Infrastructure Issue Existing
EMU DMU DMU
Train Length (number of cars) 5 6 8 4
Platform Length (feet) 519* 500 680 350
Platform Height for Level Boarding (inches) 8** 25 25 or 48 48
Car Height (nominal clearance) 16'‐2" 15'‐1" 14'‐7" 19'‐8"
Will it fit in existing tunnels? Yes Yes Yes No
Will it fit in current design for DTX tunnel? Yes Yes Yes No
Additional ventilation required? Yes No Yes Yes
Overhead Traction Electrification Required? No Yes No No
Red text indicates infrastructure modifications needed
*Shortest platform, others are longer
**Existing 8" platforms do not accommodate level boarding

15. Lifecycle Cost Comparison
Single Level Double Deck
Cost Item Bi‐Level EMU
DMU DMU*
Fleet Size 160 214 106
Fleet Cost $$$ $$$ $$$
Electrification Capital Cost ($785 mil) $$$$ ‐ ‐
Extend Platform Length (feet) ‐ $$ ‐
Raise Platforms $ $ $$
Bore Existing Tunnels ‐ ‐ $$
Increased Bore in DTX ‐ ‐ $$
Ventilation of DTX for Diesel ‐ $$ $$
Maintenance and Storage Facilities $$ $$ $
Energy and Vehicle Maintenance (30 yrs) $$$$ $$$$$ $$$$
Lifecycle Cost over 30 Years $$$$$ $$$$$ $$$$$
$ > $20 mil
$$ $20 mil - 100 mil $$$$ > $500 mil -$1 bil
$$$ $100 mil - $500 mil $$$$$ < $1 bil

16. Recommended Technology: EMU
• Proven technology and large supplier pool =
low risk
• Frequent service (6 TPH or more during peak)
• Highest acceleration allows service to
maximum number of stations
• Manageable fleet size
• Fits current platform lengths
• Lowest local emissions (noise and air quality)

17. Emerging Technology

18. Emerging Technologies - Hybrids
Fuel Cell Switch Engine
Hybrid Freight Locomotive
Hybrid Metro Vehicle Hybrid Streetcar

19. Questions
/ Answers