Cold Weather Transit Technology Program. Volume 5. Third Rail Deicing System Research

摘要

This report is one of a series of reports associated with the Cold Weather Transit Technology (CWTT) program of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration. The CWTT program is a project to improve transit operations in severe ice, snow, and cold environments. This report addresses the third rail deicing research, and investigated the use of new or high technology concepts for removing or preventing ice on existing transit system third rails. The work started with a survey of rail transit systems to establish the nature and extent of the problem and to examine solutions currently employed. Potential solutions were then developed in concept and were evaluated technically. From these, three concepts were selected for element testing. These included radio frequency induction heating, high pressure water jet, and improved electrical resistance heating deicer systems. Based on the results of the element tests, the high pressure water vehicle mounted and the improved resistance heating wayside concepts were selected for operational tests. Prototype systems were developed and tested during the winter of 1982-1983 on the Orange Line System of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Following completion of these tests, a cost/benefit analysis was conducted.