Chicago Transit Authority Evaluation of Rail Borne Snow Removal Vehicle (S-500)

摘要

The final report on the S-500 Rail Borne Snow Removal Vehicle, purchased by Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) from Mitsubishi International Corp., and built by Niigata Engineering Co. Ltd. of Japan, provides basic information on the equipment's design, modifications, and operational problems. The report discusses the S-500 vehicle's technical specifications, the results of vehicle testing, and modifications made to improve performance. The vehicle was designed for a maximum snow removal rate of 1,500 tons per hour, and a travelling speed of up to 20 mph while removing snow. Based on test experience, the conclusion is that the propulsion system design, utilizing a single diesel engine and complex transmission system to power both the vehicle and the snow removal equipment, hampers performance and reliability.