RTD Lifts Last Speed Restriction
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of RTD
DENVER - The Regional Transportation District (RTD) lifted the last of its 31 light rail speed restrictions located on a 400-foot southbound segment north of Southmoor Station.
RTD had previously had the 31 light rail speed restrictions on its D, E, H, and R light rail lines, according to the release. Last May, RTD focused its maintenance efforts on bringing its light rail system up to a state-of-good-repair. This began with implementing 10 mile-per-hour speed restrictions in four slow zones. Close to 100 RTD staff worked to complete repairs.
RTD states 12,091 feet of track along the four lines were replaced with crews removing more than 10,000 feet of rail. To do so, crews powered down the overhead wires and transported new sections of track for installation. Additionally, crews grinned more than 50 miles of rail to remove defects, installed joint bars, and leveled ballast. According to the release, the work completed in the first nine months is more than RTD has done to maintain the light rail system in the last twenty years combined. As a result of the work, speed restrictions were lifted.
RTD began using APTA standards for track inspection and maintenance last May. These include “visual, electrical, and mechanical inspections of components that affect safe and reliable rail operations, as well as standards for implementing necessary speed restrictions.” Light rail inspections were conducted twice a week, as well as monthly, quarterly, and annually. Once a year, RTD states it conducts an “ultrasonic inspection of all 120 miles of light rail track.” This utilizes high-frequency sound waves to detect flaws, cracks, or any other issues within the rail. Every 90 days, RTD walks the light rail system to “collect thousands of data points, identify recurring issues, and analyze patterns that may be observed.” In addition to that, 120 miles of track are inspected twice weekly using a hi-rail vehicle. While RTD has had 14 of these track maintenance workers working on inspections, it has announced it is increasing that number to 18.
